Naxi Culture | Lijiang Zhongyi Market Yuhu Village Lijiang Old Town 3-Day Cultural Journey

Welcome to Lijiang. Our guide will meet you at the reception desk of the airport/train station and escort you to the hotel for check-in. After a short rest, head out to explore Lijiang Old Town. 【Lijiang Old Town】is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history of over 800 years and was once an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. First, you will visit the 【Mu Mansion】, known as the "Forbidden City of the South," to learn about the local Naxi culture and the rise and fall of the Mu family, and walk to the best viewpoint to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the old town with the snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. Afterwards, you can walk to 【Sifang Street】, where there are many shops selling Naxi handicrafts and local specialties, as well as lively bars. If the weather is good, in the evening there will be lively activities where local residents dance around a bonfire. How to Get There 1. By Plane: Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG) has many direct flights, such as from Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Changsha, Wuhan, etc. 2. By Train: You can take a high-speed train directly to Lijiang Station from cities in Yunnan such as Kunming (3.5~4 hours), Dali (2~2.5 hours), and Shangri-La (1~1.5 hours), or take a high-speed train directly to Lijiang from Guilin (11.26 hours). 3. Lijiang Old Town: Lijiang Airport is about 28 kilometers from Lijiang Old Town, about a 45-minute drive; Lijiang Railway Station is about 10 kilometers from the old town, about a 26-minute drive. Nighttime Activity Suggestions 1. Best places to photograph the night view of Lijiang Old Town: Xianwen Lane, Zhenxing Lane, Nanmen Bridge, Fengling Street, and Sakura Restaurant, etc. 2. Best places to experience nightlife, bars, and night markets: Sifang Street (Naxi bonfire party after 7 PM), Wuyi Street, Xinhua Street, Zhongyi Market, etc.

After breakfast, accompanied by your guide, you will visit the bustling [Zhongyi Market] near the South Gate of Lijiang Ancient Town. Here you can see many local Naxi people in traditional dress selling or buying ingredients and daily necessities, experiencing the rich local atmosphere and cultural characteristics firsthand. You can also buy some local specialty snacks to try, such as fried potatoes, pan-fried liangfen, and grilled rushan, experiencing different flavors. Afterwards, head to [Black Dragon Pool Park] to the north of Lijiang Ancient Town, enjoying the picturesque scenery of the surrounding mountains and waters and the magnificent view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected on the water's surface. Then, walk to the [Naxi Dongba Culture Museum] located near the park. Here, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the history and cultural customs of the Naxi people, and also visit the Dongba culture exhibition. By observing Dongba priests, Dongba ancient texts written in Naxi pictographic script, and traditional Naxi clothing, you can gain a deep understanding of Dongba culture. Then head towards Yuhu Village, stopping along the way to visit [Yufeng Temple], built during the Qing Dynasty. This is one of the five great Buddhist temples in Lijiang, renowned worldwide for its "Ten Thousand Camellia" tree. Legend has it that this camellia tree was planted by a living Buddha himself and is over 500 years old. When it blooms, tens of thousands of camellia flowers sway among the branches, creating a breathtaking sight. Then arrive at Yuhu Village for a visit. [Yuhu Village] is a traditional Naxi village nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. On one side of the village is the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and on the other is the tranquil Yuhu Lake. The village is composed of houses built of stone and wood, with very beautiful scenery. You can also interact closely with the locals and experience their traditional way of life. In addition, there is the former residence of Joseph Rock, where you can see exhibits and photos related to the research of this famous explorer and botanist on local plants and Naxi culture. If you are interested in horseback riding, you can also rent a horse and ride along the beautiful Yuhu Village. Naxi Cultural Experience Activity Suggestions 1. Visit a local Naxi family to learn about the traditional Naxi way of life 2. Witness the traditional Naxi Dongba papermaking craft and learn to write Naxi Dongba script 3. Wear traditional Naxi clothing and take beautiful Naxi travel photos

After breakfast, we will conclude this wonderful 3-day cultural journey of the Naxi people in Lijiang, Yunnan. Our guide or driver will take you to the airport or train station for your next destination. If you would like to extend this trip and explore more popular Yunnan destinations, such as Kunming, Shangri-La, Xishuangbanna, etc., you can also contact our customer service to arrange it for you.