Comparative Analysis of Visiting Experiences in Key Ancient Streets and Towns of Yunnan

During a trip to Yunnan, I visited six ancient streets and towns. Some were scenic, some unforgettable, and some a bit disappointing. Here’s a share to encourage future travelers. (For the six ancient streets and towns, three pictures were used for each in order)

Dazong Ancient City. An ancient city marked by local customs, architectural styles, culture, and history, located in the center of Shangri-La City. I stayed in this place over 3,000 meters above sea level for three days, adapting to the high altitude and appreciating the charm of this ancient city.

Lijiang Ancient Town. Came here with high expectations, but honestly a bit disappointed. The architectural style of the ancient town is somewhat homogenized and overly commercialized. Although it tries to replicate the Suzhou garden-style small bridges and flowing water, separating high-end hotels and guesthouses from the commercial area by a river, perhaps due to its fame, the experience did not meet expectations.

Shuhe Ancient Town. Also in Lijiang, the architectural style of this ancient town is mostly traditional Chinese. After walking a bit, there is some aesthetic fatigue. The push for commercialization seems somewhat unsatisfactory. Worth mentioning is a particularly clear creek that feels purer than drinking water.

The garden of Lijiang Hyatt Selected Hotel. This hotel makes you feel as if you are in a Suzhou-style garden. It’s not crowded and very enjoyable. Some rooms offer a direct distant view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, definitely worth the room price.

Daluoshui Village by Lugu Lake. Named for its abundant rainfall, this village is the top choice for accommodation when visiting Lugu Lake. Many guesthouses face Lugu Lake directly, offering excellent scenery. Whether it’s cloudy or clear, Lugu Lake will not disappoint your expectations for beautiful views and photography.

Kunming Old Street. The street is crowded and chaotic, making it almost impossible to take good photos. Finding a less crowded café or restaurant for a break is nice. It’s very convenient to walk to Cuihu Park. For coffee, I recommend walking to the south gate of Cuihu Park, then passing through the park to the north, near Tianjundian Alley and Xianshengpo area (also the best walking route to the south gate of the former site of Southwest Associated University). Cafés and specialty small restaurants are lined up, complementing the old-style residences perfectly.

Post by John Gonzalez | Oct 5, 2025