Lijiang Ancient Town – Dreamlike as a painting

✈️ My trip lasted 4 days and 3 nights – flying from Vietnam to Kunming, then connecting to Lijiang. If you love the ancient vibe, mountains, blue skies, and soothing music, Lijiang is the perfect destination for autumn and spring! 🧭 How to get to Lijiang? 📌 From Vietnam: • Fly to Kunming ✈ • Then take a domestic flight to Lijiang Airport (LJG) ⏰ Total travel time: 6–9 hours depending on transit ✍ Tip: Choose an evening transit flight to get some sleep, or request a free transit hotel if flying with China Southern Airlines. ⸻ 🏨 Where to stay in Lijiang? I recommend two options: 1. Stay right in the Ancient Town – convenient for strolling, dining, and enjoying the nightlife. 2. Stay near Shuhe Ancient Town or a mountain-view homestay – quieter and ideal for stays of 2 nights or more. 🏡 Suggestions: • Manty House – Naxi-style, close to the center • Lijiang Ivy Garden Resort Hotel – traditional courtyard-style accommodation • Resorts near Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – stunning views ⸻ 📅 Suggested 4-day, 3-night itinerary 🧳 Day 1: Arrive in Lijiang – check-in – explore the Ancient Town • Check into your hotel and stroll around the Ancient Town • Try local dishes: mushroom hotpot, Naxi chicken rice, rose cakes • In the evening, visit the town square, enjoy live music, and admire the lanterns 🏞 Day 2: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – Blue Moon Valley • Purchase a combo ticket: cable car + shuttle bus (go early as it gets crowded) • Bring warm clothes and mini oxygen bottles as the altitude reaches 4000m • In the afternoon, visit Blue Moon Valley – a crystal-clear blue lake • Return to the Ancient Town for dinner and souvenir shopping 🌿 Day 3: Explore Shuhe or Baisha Ancient Town • Take a car/electric vehicle to Shuhe Ancient Town – a more relaxed vibe, great for walking • Visit tea houses or traditional photo studios (for Instagram-worthy shots) • In the afternoon: enjoy a Chinese-style foot massage and relax ✈️ Day 4: Fly back to Vietnam 🍱 What to eat in Lijiang? • 🍲 Yunnan mushroom hotpot – incredibly delicious with various local mushrooms • 🍢 Grilled skewers, rose cakes, green bean cakes • 🫖 Dried flower tea (great for gifts) • 🍜 Crossing-the-bridge noodles – a specialty from Kunming, also available in Lijiang 🎒 Handy tips for your trip: • 💡 Bring mini oxygen bottles – high altitudes can cause shortness of breath • ☀️ Sunscreen is a must – sunny but cold weather can burn your skin • 🧣 Cold and dry weather – pack moisturizer and lip balm • 🧾 Ask your hotel for their WeChat QR code to easily call taxis or order deliveries