Lijiang 3 Days 2 Nights: Hidden Photo Spots + Travel Tips

🌿 Lijiang Travel Guide｜3 Days 2 Nights Exploring Snow Mountains and Ancient Towns, Hidden Photo Spots + Travel Tips 📸 ✨【Before You Go】 Finally visited the long-awaited Lijiang! This ancient town, favored by time, boasts both the grandeur of snow-capped mountains and the charm of winding alleys. I stayed up late to compile this "Tips + Photography + Food" guide—bookmark this and you're all set! --- 🚗【Transportation + Accommodation】 ✔️ Fly directly to Lijiang Sanyi Airport, or take a high-speed train from Kunming (3.5 hours). ✔️ Accommodation recommendations: ▫️ Inside the ancient town: Choose areas near Wuyi Street or Qiyi Street for convenient dining and sightseeing (but dragging luggage on cobblestone roads can be exhausting). ▫️ Outside the ancient town: Stay near the South Gate or Shuhe for peace and better value (I stayed at "Yunduan Snow Mountain View Inn," around $30 per person, with a balcony view of the golden sunrise on the mountains!). --- 📸【3-Day Itinerary】 Day 1: Strolling through Lijiang Ancient Town 🔹 Morning: Start at "Big Waterwheel" → "Square Street" to watch Naxi ethnic dancing → "Xianwen Lane" for the oil-paper umbrella street (📸 popular photo spot!) 🔹 Afternoon: Visit "Mufu Mansion" (entry $6, known as the Naxi version of the Forbidden City) → "Lion Hill" for panoramic views (🌄 go up 1 hour before sunset for perfect lighting!) 🔹 Evening: Explore "Bar Street" at night (recommend "Hope You Are Here," great folk music vibes~) Day 2: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain + Blue Moon Valley 🔹 6:30 AM departure: Book the large cableway tickets ($20/person) 3 days in advance via the "Lijiang Tourism Group" WeChat account. 🔹 Snow Mountain Tips: ✅ Buy oxygen bottles in the ancient town for $3; they cost $9 at the scenic area! ✅ Wear windproof jackets; it's freezing at the summit! 🔹 Afternoon: Head straight to "Blue Moon Valley" after descending (💧 Tiffany-blue lake water, a must for photos! Avoid harsh noon sunlight.) 🔹 Evening: Watch the "Impression Lijiang" performance (directed by Zhang Yimou, a stunning live show with the snow mountain as the backdrop). Day 3: Relaxing in Shuhe Ancient Town 🔹 Quieter than Dayan Ancient Town! Recommended spots: "Jiuding Dragon Pool" for reflection shots → "Harry Valley" for a cozy coffee shop → "Leather Workshop" for hands-on crafting. --- 🍜【Food Recommendations】 🔥 Must-try list: ▫️ "Grandma's Braised Pork Ribs": Savory and flavorful, around $7 per person for a hearty meal! ▫️ "Dianxi Prince": Signature snow mountain fish + Baolu Da dessert, with a strong ethnic vibe. ▫️ "No. 88 Snack Shop": Chicken pea jelly, Naxi grilled rice cakes. 💣 Avoid: × Many "wild mushroom hotpot" places in the ancient town use frozen ingredients; go to "Yunxueli" for fresh ones! × Street fruit stalls often price by "XX per pound" but may charge by grams instead! --- ⚠️【Lessons Learned】 1️⃣ Be cautious when buying silverware in the ancient town—fakes are more common than genuine items. 2️⃣ Horse riding at Lashihai is priced at $40, but you can haggle it down to $12! 3️⃣ Sunscreen is a must! High-altitude UV rays can cause severe sunburn. --- 🌸【Final Thoughts】 In Lijiang, slowing down is the best way to enjoy it. At 7 AM, the ancient town is almost devoid of tourists, with sunlight streaming onto the cobblestone streets, as if you've traveled back 800 years. Find a rooftop café, daydream, and watch the snow mountains' clouds drift by... This is the true essence of travel 💛