Code: LIJIANG02
Day Trip from Lijiang to Baisha & Shuhe Ancient Towns
This is a day tour that covers the essence of Lijiang’s World Heritage Sites. In the morning, travel from Lijiang Old Town to Baisha Ancient Town which is famous for the murals from the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in Shuhe Ancient Town which preserves the culture of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road and the authentic customs of the local Naxi people.
8:00 – 9:00 Lijiang to Baisha Ancient Town
Lijiang Old Town
In the morning, you are recommended to visit the tranquil Baisha Ancient Town first.
Exit Lijiang Old Town from the North Gate, walk east for 3 minutes and find the Beimen Market bus station on the north side of the Road. Take bus line 13, get off at Xiangshan Market, and transfer to bus line 6 running to Baisha County Government. It takes 1 hour and costs CNY 4.
A taxi from Lijiang Old Town to Baisha Ancient Town takes 25 minutes and costs CNY 35. You can also rent a bicycle to go there. A single way is about 11 km (6.8 mi) and takes 1 hour by bike.
Exit Lijiang Old Town from the North Gate, walk east for 3 minutes and find the Beimen Market bus station on the north side of the Road. Take bus line 13, get off at Xiangshan Market, and transfer to bus line 6 running to Baisha County Government. It takes 1 hour and costs CNY 4.
A taxi from Lijiang Old Town to Baisha Ancient Town takes 25 minutes and costs CNY 35. You can also rent a bicycle to go there. A single way is about 11 km (6.8 mi) and takes 1 hour by bike.
9:00 – 11:30 Baisha Town & Baisha Murals
► Opening Hours: The town opens all day long, while the Baisha Murals is open from 8:00 to 17:30.
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 to 3 hours
► Ticket Price: Free to enter the town; CNY 30 for Baisha Murals.
► Recommended Touring Route: Main Gate → Cultural Square → Wenchang Palace → Tamarix Chinensis → Liuli Palace → Dabaoji Palace → Ginkgo Tree → Dading Hall → Jingang Palace
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 to 3 hours
► Ticket Price: Free to enter the town; CNY 30 for Baisha Murals.
► Recommended Touring Route: Main Gate → Cultural Square → Wenchang Palace → Tamarix Chinensis → Liuli Palace → Dabaoji Palace → Ginkgo Tree → Dading Hall → Jingang Palace
The quiet and secluded Baisha Village retains its original appearance and has not been over-developed. Once the original settlement of Naxi people in Lijiang, it is a good place to know the local Naxi and Dongba cultures. Baisha Murals are the highlight when touring Baisha Village. In Dabaoji Palace, Liuli Palace, and Dading Hall, there are dozens of exquisite murals left on the walls. Their painting lasted for more than 300 years from the 14th to 17th century. During that long time, Lijiang experienced the rule of more than 10 generations of Tusi chieftains and officials. These murals vividly reflect the politics, economy, religion and life of Lijiang in its heyday.
After appreciating the murals, you can have a cup of tea in the main street with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in view, or you can stroll through the alleys to feel the laid-back lifestyle of the locals.
After appreciating the murals, you can have a cup of tea in the main street with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in view, or you can stroll through the alleys to feel the laid-back lifestyle of the locals.
11:30 – 12:00 Baisha to Shuhe
Walk back to the bus station of Baisha County Government, take bus line 6, get off at Shuhe Wenming Village, and then walk 5 minutes to the North Gate of the Shuhe Ancient Town. It takes 30 minutes and costs CNY 2. A taxi from Baisha Ancient Town to Shuhe takes 10 minutes and costs CNY 10. The 4 km (2.5 mi) road takes 20 minutes by bicycle.
12:00 – 13:30 Lunch Break
Entering from the North Gate of Shuhe Ancient Town, you can walk southwest along Zhonghe Road for 5 to 8 minutes to reach the Sifang Street, the central area good for lunch, tea, shopping, rest and bask in the sun.
13:30 – 18:00 Shuhe Ancient Town
► Opening Hours: All day long
► Recommended Time for a Visit: half to one day
► Ticket Price: Free
► Recommended Touring Route: North Gate (entry) → Sifang Street → Ancient Tea-Horse Road Museum (Dajue Palace Murals) → Fangsheng Bridge → Jiuding Dragon Pool → Qinglong Bridge → Sifang Street → Feihua Chushui (Bar Street) → Sifang Music Square → Tea and Horse Welcome Square → South Gate (entry)
► Recommended Time for a Visit: half to one day
► Ticket Price: Free
► Recommended Touring Route: North Gate (entry) → Sifang Street → Ancient Tea-Horse Road Museum (Dajue Palace Murals) → Fangsheng Bridge → Jiuding Dragon Pool → Qinglong Bridge → Sifang Street → Feihua Chushui (Bar Street) → Sifang Music Square → Tea and Horse Welcome Square → South Gate (entry)
After lunch, you can start the exploration in this exquisite ancient town. The Ancient Tea-Horse Road Museum to the east of the Sifang Street is highly recommended. Established on the site of the ancient Dajue Palace, the museum is an important part of the Shuhe Courtyard Complex of the Tusi leader of the Ming Dynasty. There are eight exhibition halls showing the history of the ancient Tea-Horse Road and the Yunnan culture. The museum is open from 9:00 to 17:30 and included in the entrance ticket of the Shuhe Ancient Town.
After visiting the museum, walk 5 minutes northwest to the riverside, and go across the Qinglong River through Fangsheng Bridge. You’ll find Sansheng Palace and Jiuding Dragon Pool to the north. Also known as the Dragon Spring, Jiuding Dragon Pool is the water source of the streams in Shuhe. There are actually two semicircular pools, one up and one down, with a pavilion between them, which offers the best view.
Stroll south along the river for 5 minutes, you’ll see the 400-year-old Qinglong Bridge, the largest ancient stone bridge in Lijiang. Walk east across the river, you’ll get back to the Sifang Street. Walk south along Zhonghe Road, turn left to Feihua Road which leads to Feihua Chushui, once a village pond and now a leisure area surrounded by bars.
Wander south along the Jiuding Street, turn left to Yanliu Road, you’ll find the Sifang Music Square on your right. There are performances at the square at 15:30 and 19:30 every day. Walk southeast along the Lishui Street and then Dingye Street, you’ll reach the big archway of Shuhe in 8 to 10 minutes. Here you are at the South Gate for exit.
After visiting the museum, walk 5 minutes northwest to the riverside, and go across the Qinglong River through Fangsheng Bridge. You’ll find Sansheng Palace and Jiuding Dragon Pool to the north. Also known as the Dragon Spring, Jiuding Dragon Pool is the water source of the streams in Shuhe. There are actually two semicircular pools, one up and one down, with a pavilion between them, which offers the best view.
Stroll south along the river for 5 minutes, you’ll see the 400-year-old Qinglong Bridge, the largest ancient stone bridge in Lijiang. Walk east across the river, you’ll get back to the Sifang Street. Walk south along Zhonghe Road, turn left to Feihua Road which leads to Feihua Chushui, once a village pond and now a leisure area surrounded by bars.
Wander south along the Jiuding Street, turn left to Yanliu Road, you’ll find the Sifang Music Square on your right. There are performances at the square at 15:30 and 19:30 every day. Walk southeast along the Lishui Street and then Dingye Street, you’ll reach the big archway of Shuhe in 8 to 10 minutes. Here you are at the South Gate for exit.
18:00 – 19:00 Get Back to Lijiang Old Town
The Coart Village to the east of Shuhe Ancient Town is worth a visit if you are interested in modern art. You can stay overnight in the peaceful Shuhe Ancient Town, or you can go back to Lijiang to enjoy colorful nightlife at the Bar Street.
From the South Gate of Shuhe Ancient Town, you can take the Tourism Special Bus Line 111 and get off at Dayan Huaxiang in Lijiang Old Town. It takes 30 to 40 minutes and costs CNY 2. A taxi takes 20 minutes and costs about CNY 25. The 7 km (4.3 mi) road takes 35 minutes by bike.
From the South Gate of Shuhe Ancient Town, you can take the Tourism Special Bus Line 111 and get off at Dayan Huaxiang in Lijiang Old Town. It takes 30 to 40 minutes and costs CNY 2. A taxi takes 20 minutes and costs about CNY 25. The 7 km (4.3 mi) road takes 35 minutes by bike.