Lijiang
Lijiang Old Town (Dayan)
Why visit Lijiang Old Town
Lijiang Old Town (Dayan), the historic heart of Lijiang in Yunnan Province, is one of China's most atmospheric ancient towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Built more than 800 years ago by the Naxi people, it is famous for its labyrinth of cobbled lanes, grey-tiled wooden courtyard houses, arched stone bridges and a living network of clear canals fed by springs from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Unlike most walled Chinese towns, Dayan has no city wall — local lore says the ruling Mu family, whose surname resembles the character for "wood," did not want to be "boxed in."
Twilight panorama of Lijiang Old Town
The town radiates from Sifang Street (Square Market), the old caravan marketplace at the centre of the maze. From here water channels branch out and follow nearly every lane, so the sound of running water is your constant companion. Wander uphill to Lion Hill and climb Wangu Tower for a sweeping rooftop view, or get pleasantly lost among workshops selling Naxi handicrafts, tie-dye, silver and pu'er tea.
Things to see and do
- Walk Sifang Street and trace the three main canals back to the Black Dragon Pool water source.
- Visit the Mu Palace (Mufu), the lavishly restored residence of the Naxi chieftains.
- Learn about Dongba pictographic script and Naxi Baisha music, performed nightly in courtyard venues.
- Come back after dark, when red lanterns reflect in the canals and the bar street near Sifang comes alive.
Lijiang lanes lit up after dark
Opening hours & tickets
The streets of the Old Town are open 24 hours and there is no gate ticket. Lijiang levies an Old Town Maintenance (Preservation) Fee of CNY 50 per person, reduced from CNY 80 on 1 August 2025; one payment is valid for 365 days with unlimited entries. Children under 1.2 m / under 12 and visitors over 60 are exempt. The fee is sometimes checked at the entrances of linked attractions such as Mu Palace and Black Dragon Pool, so keep your receipt.
Getting there
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport is about 28 km (40 minutes) south of town; the high-speed railway station is roughly 8 km east. From either, take a taxi or the airport bus to the Old Town's edge — the lanes themselves are pedestrian-only, so the last stretch is always on foot. Shuhe Old Town and Black Dragon Pool are a short taxi ride away.
Aerial rooftops of the Naxi old town
Best time to visit
Lijiang is pleasant year-round thanks to its 2,400 m elevation, but spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer the clearest skies and the best chance of seeing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain rising behind the rooftops. Visit lanes early in the morning to enjoy them before the day-tour crowds arrive; evenings are atmospheric but busy around the bar street.
Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage Naxi town founded over 800 years ago
- Sifang Street, the old Tea-Horse Road caravan market
- Spring-fed canals and arched stone bridges on every lane
- Wangu Tower on Lion Hill for rooftop panoramas
- Red-lantern night scenes reflected in the water
Travel Tips
Keep your maintenance-fee receipt
The CNY 50 Old Town fee is valid 365 days and is checked at Mu Palace and Black Dragon Pool — carry the receipt.
Beat the crowds
Walk the lanes before 9 am or after the day tours leave; the maze is quiet and photogenic in soft morning light.
Wear good shoes
The town is entirely pedestrian with uneven cobblestones and slopes up to Lion Hill.
