Lijiang, Lugu Lake, and Liming Danxia

Beyond Lijiang's Old Town and snow mountain, stay two nights at Lugu Lake to circle the lake, then add a day at the First Bend of the Yangtze and Liming Danxia.

Based in Lijiang Old Town, the first two days cover the Old Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Then head to Lugu Lake for two nights, taking a pig-trough boat and circling the lake to see Caohai and Ligé Peninsula. Back in Lijiang, charter a car for a day to the First Bend of the Yangtze in Shigu and the Liming Qiangui Mountain Danxia landforms. The route skips Shangri-La and suits families and friends who want to see the surroundings of Lijiang with plenty of time. One-way drives to Lugu Lake and Liming are both long.

During the rainy season, mountain roads to Lugu Lake occasionally suffer landslides. Check road conditions before departure.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival and Stroll Through Dayan Old Town

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Old Town of Lijiang (Dayan)、Sifang Square、Wangu Pavilion (Lion Hill)）

Take a taxi about 40 minutes from the airport to the Old Town. Explore on foot from afternoon into the evening.

Stay: Lijiang Old Town

Day 2 · Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Impression Lijiang

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Glacier Park, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain、Blue Moon Valley、Impression Lijiang）

Take the early snow mountain shuttle about 40 minutes to the scenic area, ride the large cable car up to the Glacier Park, then come down to see Blue Moon Valley and the show before returning to town.

Snow mountain tickets and the large cable car require advance booking.

Stay: Lijiang Old Town

Day 3 · Travel to Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake（Lugu Lake Viewpoint、Daluoshui Village）

Charter a car or take a shuttle about 4 hours to Lugu Lake. In the afternoon, enjoy the view from the lookout and check in at Daluoshui.

The mountain roads have many curves. Those prone to motion sickness should bring medication in advance.

Stay: Daluoshui Village

Day 4 · Pig-Trough Boats and Lake Circuit

Lugu Lake（Liwubi Island、Lige Peninsula、Caohai Wetland & Walking Marriage Bridge、Lovers' Beach）

In the morning, take a pig-trough boat from Daluoshui to Liwubi Island. In the afternoon, charter a car to drive counterclockwise around the lake for about 3 to 4 hours.

The lake area sits at about 2,700 meters, and nights are cold.

Stay: Daluoshui Village

Day 5 · Goddess Mountain and Return to Lijiang

Lugu Lake（Gemu Goddess Mountain）

In the morning, take the Gemu Goddess Mountain cable car. In the afternoon, charter a car for about 4 hours back to the Lijiang Old Town.

Stay: Lijiang Old Town

Day 6 · First Bend of the Yangtze and Liming Danxia

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Shigu Town & First Bend of the Yangtze、Liming Danxia）

Charter a car about 1 hour to Shigu Town, then about 2 hours to the Liming scenic area. After sightseeing, return to the city in about 3 hours.

The full-day drive takes about 6 hours. In your navigation, set the destination as Laojun Mountain Liming Scenic Area.

Stay: Lijiang Old Town

Day 7 · Black Dragon Pool and Shuhe Before Departure

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Black Dragon Pool、Shuhe Ancient Town）

Walk to Black Dragon Pool, take a taxi about 15 minutes to Shuhe, then in the afternoon take a taxi about 50 minutes to the airport.

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