1 Day Lijiang Old Town Walking Tour

► Route: South Gate → Zhongyi Market → Mu’s Residence → Lion Mountain → Sifang Street → Qiyi Street → Puxian Temple → Pomegranate Well → Wuyi Street → Dayan Huaxiang → Big Waterwheel → Bar Street

This one day walking tour of Lijiang Old Town starts from the South Gate and ends near the North Gate. Of course, you can adjust or reverse the itinerary according to the location of your hotel and your own preferences.

8:00 – 8:30 South Gate Square & Zhongyi Market

You are recommended to start from the South Gate of Lijiang Old Town. Entering the ancient memorial archway, walk 5 minutes north and you’ll see the South Gate Square. Stay a moment to take photos, and then follow the map app's direction on your mobile to walk west for about 10 minutes to reach the Zhongyi Market, a famous local agricultural and small commodities trading market, where you can try the local breakfast and feel the true life of the Naxi people in Lijiang.

8:30 – 11:00 Mu’s Residence

Lijiang Old Town

Walk 5 to 7 minutes north, you’ll arrive at the major entrance of the Mu’s Residence, the landmark inside the Lijiang Old Town. It was once the government office and mansion of the Tusi leader of Naxi people in northwest Yunnan. The whole building complex sits west and faces east, showing brilliant architectural art of both Han and Naxi styles.

► Recommended Touring Route: Zhongyi Archway → Entrance → Assembly Hall → Mu’s Courtyard → Wanjuan Tower → Hufa Hall → Guangbi Tower → Yuyin Tower → Sanqing Palace → Back Garden
► Opening Hours: 8:30 – 17:30
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 to 3 hours
► Ticket Price: CNY 40

11:00 – 13:00 Lion Mountain

After visiting the Mu’s Residence, you are advised to exit from the backdoor in the west. Here, walk 2 or 3 minutes, you’ll reach the north entrance to the Lion Mountain. On the top of the Lion Mountain, there lies the Wangu Tower, on which you can overlook the splendid Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the north, the Old Town in the east, the modern new city of Lijiang in the west, and the picturesque rural scenes in the south. The Wenchang Palace on the Lion Mountain is also a good place to see the panorama of the Old Town.

► Opening Hours: 8:30 – 18:30
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 to 2 hours
► Ticket Price: CNY 35

13:00 – 14:30 Lunch & Rest at Sifang Street

Exit from the east gate of the Lion Mountain Park, and walk 5 to 7 minutes east to reach the Sifang Street, which is the very center of Lijiang Old Town. Once the place where the tea and horse exchange market was established, the old town now is a business center with overwhelming popularity among tourists. Have lunch here, and walk around to see the Big Stone Bridge. You might happen to see some Naxi people dancing on the square.

14:30 – 15:30 Qiyi Street & Puxian Temple

Lijiang Old Town

Walk southeast along the Qiyi Street, you’ll find a special lane on the west decorated with many beautiful oil-paper umbrellas. After about 5 minutes’ walk, you’ll see a magnificent stone arch called Guanmenkou on the west side of the street. Continue to walk southeast and turn left into the Chongren Lane to visit Puxian Temple, which is a well-preserved Han Buddhist temple. First built in Daoguang Years (1821 - 1850) of the Qing Dynasty, it enshrines lots of delicate Buddhist statues and murals. Now it is a peaceful place to appreciate the antique religious culture of Lijiang, and watch the local Naxi music performance.

► Opening Hours: 9:00 – 18:00
► Recommended Time for a Visit: half an hour
► Ticket Price: Free

15:30 – 16:00 Pomegranate Well

Walk back to the Qiyi Street and continue to go southeast, you’ll see many restaurants, hostels, and souvenir stores along the path. You can try some local snacks like Lijiang Baba, Chicken Pea Jelly, and Rice Sausage. You’ll see the famous Pomegranate Well on the north side of the street in 10 minutes’ walk. There are three wells – the upper for drinking water, the middle for washing fruits and vegetables, and the lower for washing closes.

16:00 – 16:30 Wuyi Street

Walk 5 minutes east and you’ll see the South Gate Bridge, a stone arch bridge built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Frogs' croak can be heard around the bridge after dusk. Go north across the Middle River through the bridge, and wander along the Wenhua Lane and Zhenxing Lane to reach the Wuyi Street, which is another popular area for food and shopping.

16 30 – 18:00 Dayan Huaxiang

In the late afternoon, you can walk to Dayan Huaxiang in the north of the old town. This is a large tourist block for local food, shopping malls, and antique architecture. There is a sightseeing platform called the ‘Eye of Lijiang’, on which you can see the sunset over the roofs of the whole town and the amazing night scenes. You can have dinner here, or later in the Bar Street.

18:00 – 20:00 Nightlife at Bar Street

Walk 10 minutes northwest through the small lanes to get to the Big Waterwheel near the North Gate of the Lijiang Old Town, and then you can stroll south along the Bar Street by the river. Find a bar you like to try some local food and drink, and watch live shows to spend a lovely night.