A three-day Lijiang itinerary provides the perfect balance between Naxi cultural enclaves and high-mountain Himalayan scenery.
Day 1 begins at sunrise in Dayan Old Town before day-trippers arrive. Stroll up Lion Hill to Wanggu Tower for a panoramic vista over thousands of grey-tiled rooftops, then spend the afternoon exploring the calmer rural alleys of Baisha Village, admiring the historic Ming Dynasty Baisha murals and meeting local embroidery artisans. In the evening, sample cured pork ribs hotpot in Shuhe Ancient Town.
Day 2 is dedicated to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: take an early shuttle to the Glacier Park cableway to reach the 4,506-meter viewing platform, then descend to stroll the surreal turquoise waters of Blue Moon Valley. On Day 3, take a day excursion north to Tiger Leaping Gorge, walking the paved trail to the roaring rapids where the Jinsha River thunders through one of the deepest river canyons on Earth.
