Lijiang Sightseeing Train

Lijiang Sightseeing Train, or Lijiang Rail Transit Line 1, a panoramic sightseeing train will open soon. Travel in Lijiang by train is a completely different experience! Many people would like to take a train to the mountains, having a leisurely afternoon tea while watching scenes like a movie playing out of the window. This train in Lijiang, with nearly 2-meter (6.6 feet) ultra-high windows, boasts the world's most beautiful panoramic mountain tourist train, and would meet all your expectations for a perfect train trip.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain seen from Sightseeing Train

  Route: Lijiang Old Town → Baisha Village → Yushui Village → Dongba Valley → Ganhaizi Meadow → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
 Length: 20.5 km (12.7 mi)
 Speed: Maximum operating speed of 70 km/hour (43 mph) per hour
 Maximum Capacity: 351 passengers
 Current State: Trial operation
 Official Operation: Undetermined
 Time needed: 20 minutes for a single trip
 Ticket Price:
Round trip: CNY 130 with a seat; CNY 80 without a seat
Single trip: CNY 70 with a seat; CNY 50 without a seat
 Where to buy ticket: Ticket office of the train’s starting station – Lijiang Tourist Distribution Center

The first-stage project of the construction has been completed successfully. The train starts from Lijiang Old Town Tourist Center in the south and reaches the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the north. It will provide a brand-new solution for Lijiang transport and bring passengers an extraordinary experience of passing through picturesque canyons, meadows, ancient towns, alpine lakes and towering snow mountains
 Looking from the outside, the body of the tourist train is mainly blue. Its design is inspired by the unique crystal clear Blue Moon Lake at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The front window of the train is designed with super-large curved surface. The side windows are 1.9 meters (6.2 feet) high, while the roof adopts curved transparent glass, which makes the carriages open and bright, and ensures wide views for passengers.

Most unusual of all, the big viewing side windows allow electric dimming, which adjusts the color of the glass according to the intensity of sunlight outside. With this function, passengers can protect themselves well from excessive sunlight while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

The interior of the train is decorated with Lijiang Dongba script and Naxi art patterns, so you can feel the strong local culture when boarding. There are three spacious and comfortable seats in a row inside the compartment. Sit down and you’ll have a truly great experience of getting close to nature as the train goes over the mountains.
 This train route connects the most classic cultural and natural sights in Lijiang. At every stop, you can get the best shots of the scenery.It is the core part of Lijiang’s World Cultural Heritage. Visit the Mu’s Residence in the old town, stroll along the bustling Sifang Street, and watch the performances of the local Naxi people, and you will learn about the former glory of this once important town on the Ancient Tea-horse Road. Climbing up the Lion Mountain, a panoramic view of the old town will impress you. In the evening, you can have a drink in the bar street to enjoy Lijiang’s lively nightlife.

 Best Things to See: Big Waterwheel, Sifang Street, Mu’s Residence, Lion Mountain, Wuyi Street, Bar Street, Zhongyi Market…
 Opening Hours: The town opens all day long, while some of the attractions inside are open from about 8:30 to 18:00.
 Recommended Time for a Visit: one day
 Ticket Price: CNY 50 for the Old Town Maintenance Fee; CNY 40 for Mu’s Residence; CNY 35 for Wangulou on Lion Mountain

Traditional Houses in Lijiang Old Town

 Baisha Vilage or Baisha Ancient Town, is less known than the Lijiang Old Town, and more quiet and primitive. With a history of more than 800 years, this ancient town retains the heritage of the Naxi ethnic group, as evidenced by the famous Baisha Murals created between the 14th and 17th centuries, which you should not miss. After visiting the ancient relics, you can bask in the sun in an outdoor cafe and look up at the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Baisha Villagers

 Best Things to See: Baisha Murals, Sifang Street, Dading Hall, Dabaoji Palace, Wenchang Palace, Liuli Palace, Jingang Palace…
 Opening Hours: The town opens all day long; 8:00 to 17:30 for Baisha Murals
 Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 hours
 Ticket Price: Free for the town; CNY 20 for Baisha Murals
 This village at the southern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is rarely visited. It is a holy land for the inheritance of Dongba culture and a base for the Baisha Music and Leba Dance.  Here, you can see the Sacred Dragon Three-level Waterfalls. In the water there is a golden statue of a human with a snake’s tail, who is the god of nature in the heart of the local Naxi people. It shows the harmony between man and nature, which is the simple doctrine of Dongba religion.

Residence in Yushui Village

 Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00
 Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 to 2 hours
 Ticket Price: CNY 35
 It is the on the way to enter the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. There are various kinds of waterfalls, stalactites, rare plants and birds in the valley. You can head to the Dongba Square and Craftsman's Street if you are interested in Dongba culture, featuring the Dongba characters which boast the only extant hieroglyphs in the world.
 Opening Hours: 8:30-22:00
 Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 to 2 hours
 Ticket Price: CNY 40
 This is the northernmost big snow mountain in the northern hemisphere, and also a sacred mountain in the eyes of the local Naxi people. There are many amazing destinations hidden in the snow peaks and the valleys. The Glacier Park in the mountain contains the Quaternary glaciers and is covered by white snow all year round. You can take the Big Cableway to go up the mountain and hike to the top. Also, you can enjoy a variety of beautiful alpine meadows, pastures and lakes at the mountainside.

Blue Moon Valley

 Best Things to See: Glacier Park, Blue Moon Valley, Spruce Meadow, Yak Meadow, Ganhaizi Meadow, Performance of Impression Lijiang…
 Opening Hours: 8:00 – 18:30 (Ticketing stops at 16:30.)
 Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 day
 Ticket Prices: CNY 100 for the mountain; CNY 65 for a combo ticket of Yak Lawn Ropeway (a round trip) and sightseeing bus (a round trip)