From Dali to Yuhu Village, Shaxi & Lijiang – Nature, Culture & Naxi Charm
If Dali 大理 felt like a gentle introduction to Yunnan, Lijiang 丽江 was where the journey truly deepened. This stretch unfolded slowly, almost poetically, through quiet villages and snow-capped mountains.
In this post, we’ll walk you through:
✔️ How we travelled from Dali 大理 to Lijiang 丽江
✔️ A memorable detour to Yuhu Village 玉湖村, Baisha Old Town 白沙古镇, and Shaxi Ancient Village 沙溪古镇
✔️ Must-see attractions in and around Lijiang 丽江
✔️ Our unforgettable experience at the Tea Horse Road Lijiang* 丽江丽世茶马道酒店
From Dali to Shaxi, to Yuhu Village, Then Lijiang
Shaxi Ancient Village 沙溪古镇
Our first stop was Shaxi 沙溪, a place that feels like time decided to stand still. Cobblestone streets, wooden shopfronts, the occasional clang of bicycle bells and the comforting smell of coffee drifting from rustic cafés. Shaxi doesn’t demand our attention, it gently holds it. Even though we stayed briefly, it left an imprint, a reminder that sometimes the most beautiful places are the quietest ones.
Yuhu Village 玉湖村
Then came Yuhu Village. Nestled at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yuhu felt almost untouched: stone houses standing quietly against the dramatic mountain backdrop, horses grazing freely, and life moving at its own unhurried rhythm. We spent our time wandering through Naxi homes, listening to stories of their traditions, and soaking in the simplicity of village life.
Highlights:
- A guided village walk where we explored traditional Naxi homes
- Lots of photo moments with horses grazing, snowy mountain backdrops and Naxi-style architecture
Where We Stayed: The Rock Hotel (丽江石洛克酒店)
The Rock Hotel (丽江石洛克酒店) is a small boutique stay nestled in the heart of Yuhu Village, quietly set at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The hospitality here is simple yet deeply thoughtful. One of the most memorable touches was when the team took Polaroid photos of us upon arrival. On our final day, they presented them back to us beautifully framed as a parting gift. It was a small gesture, but incredibly meaningful, one that perfectly reflected the spirit of the place. We didn’t just leave with memories; we left with a little piece of Yuhu to take home.
We cherish the framed photo memento from The Rock Hotel.
Cafe with a Mountain-view
On our way to Lijiang, we asked our driver to make a quick stop at this café for a photo. I’d seen pictures of tourists climbing up to the rooftop for that perfect mountain view, but didn’t think it was something we’d be able to do ourselves. To our surprise, the staff greeted us with smiles and pointed us toward the way up. The steps was a little steep and uneven but nothing too difficult. When we reached the top, the view opened up in the most incredible way. Snow-dusted peaks stretched into the distance under a clear blue sky. We lingered longer than planned, soaking it all in and taking photos, quietly grateful for this unexpected little detour.
A beautifully landscaped little cafe-garden!
A unique vantage point on the rooftop
Arriving in Lijiang: A Warm Welcome That Stayed With Us
Where we stayed: LUX Tea Horse Road Lijiang* 丽江丽世茶马道酒店
From the moment we arrived in Lijiang, we knew this hotel was something special. We weren’t greeted like typical guests, but more like old friends returning home. The Naxi-style welcome, complete with traditional Naxi songs and warm, genuine smiles set the tone immediately. It wasn’t just the ceremony, but the quiet attentiveness and sincerity of the staff that stood out. To this day, it remains one of the most heartfelt hotel welcomes we’ve ever experienced.
The staff of LUX Lijiang gave us such a warm and memorable welcome in traditional Naxi style!
Among so many hotel options in Lijiang, we are glad we made the right choice to stay here!
The hotel is built in a traditional Naxi courtyard style — small, intimate, and full of character. Our ground-floor room struck a beautiful balance between heritage and comfort, with local art, intricate design details and a sense of tranquility. It’s the little touches that stayed with us most: a warm cup of tea upon arrival after a long journey, handwritten notes that felt genuinely personal and thoughtful turn-down treats waiting for us each night.
It’s rare to find a place that gets everything right, not just in service, but in soul. LUX Tea Horse Lijiang did exactly that. Its location made exploring Dayan Ancient Town effortless, while still offering a quiet retreat away from the crowds when we wanted to slow down. The hotel also arranged a customised two-day itinerary for us, complete with transport, meals, show tickets and a very knowledgeable local guide. Everything ran seamlessly, allowing us to simply enjoy Lijiang without worrying about any logistics.
Website: https://www.luxresorts.com/en/china-lux-tea-horse-road/hotel/lijiang
Baisha Old Town 白沙古镇
After check-in, our local guide brought us on a short tour of Baisha Old Town (白沙古镇). It immediately won us over with its understated charm and slower pace of life. Unlike its busier neighbour (i.e. Lijiang Old Town), Baisha feels more authentic. Its traditional Naxi houses, rustic courtyards and small artisan shops sitting gently beneath the watchful peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Locals go about their daily routines and there’s a calm in the air that invites us to slow down and linger a little longer.
A Gesture We Will Never Forget
What made our stay in Lijiang unforgettable was a deeply personal gesture from our local guide from LUX Lijiang Hotel. Knowing that we were there to celebrate our wedding anniversary, he quietly went above and beyond to plan something truly special for us. Unknown to us, he had made prior arrangements to loan traditional Naxi wedding costumes from his relatives and drove us to their sister property, the LUX Lashi Lake, for a photoshoot before our dinner. What a surprise!
He and his colleagues then patiently helped us don the traditional Naxi costumes and photographed these moments so beautifully for us as keepsakes. It was such a deeply moving experience, executed with so much heart and intention. The effort, the thoughtfulness, the sincerity, it moved us more than words can fully express.
We left feeling incredibly humbled by their kindness. It’s moments like these that stay with us long after the trip ends. For this reason, LUX Lijiang will always hold a very special place in our hearts.
Dayan Ancient Town 大研古城
Dayan Ancient Town (大研古城), the heart of Lijiang, blends rich history with a lively, energetic atmosphere. Its maze of cobbled streets, intricate wooden architecture and winding canals reflect centuries of Naxi heritage, while bustling shops, cafés and bars bring a modern vibrancy to the old town. By day, it’s a place to admire traditional details and scenic corners; by night, it transforms with glowing lanterns and music drifting through the alleys. Though undeniably popular and often crowded, its unique mix of culture and energy makes it a memorable pit-stop.
Top things to see:
- Mu Residence (木府) – A beautifully preserved palace of the Naxi ruling family
- Sifang Street (四方街) – The heart of the old town, filled with street snacks, artisan shops, and local performers
- Shizi Mountain (狮子山) – Climb to the top for panoramic views and visit the Wangu Tower. We didn’t get to go to Shizi Mountain this trip due to shortage of time. Next trip!
Lijiang Old Town (丽江古城)
Set against the backdrop of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang Old Town (丽江古城) carries a charm that blends history with everyday life. That said, it’s become noticeably more commercialised in recent years, with rows of souvenir shops, cafés and crowds filling the streets. While its beauty is still undeniable, we found ourselves moving on sooner than expected, lingering just long enough to appreciate its atmosphere before seeking quieter corners back in our hotel.
Blue Moon Valley & Impression Lijiang: Nature and Theatre at Its Grandest
The next day brought us to the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain where we made 2 pit-stops.
Morning: Blue Moon Valley 蓝月谷
The waters here are almost surreal, turquoise, glacial, and impossibly clear. Set against snow-capped peaks, it felt like stepping into another world. Think of it as China’s own “Banff meets Iceland,” but somehow even more serene.
Afternoon: Impression Lijiang 印象丽江
Set against the raw, breathtaking backdrop of the mountains, this performance was nothing short of powerful. With over 500 local performers, the show feels both grand in scale and deeply human in spirit, bringing to life stories of culture, resilience, and identity. We found ourselves completely immersed, moved by the energy and emotion unfolding on stage. It’s the kind of performance that you will talk about long after the final scene fades, a must-watch when in Lijiang!
The Little Things We Loved
Food in Lijiang was comforting, hearty, and full of warmth, perfect for the cool mountain air. Some of our favourites included Naxi-style grilled pork with Yunnan mushrooms, rich and earthy in flavour, and yak hotpot, which was especially satisfying in the chilly weather. We also couldn’t get enough of the delicate rose pastries, a Lijiang speciality and my personal favourite. Highland barley pancakes and sweet rice balls added a simple, homely touch, while fresh produce from the local markets rounded out the experience beautifully.
Travel Tip: Don’t Rush Lijiang
If there’s one piece of advice we’d give, it’s this: go slow. Some of our best moments weren’t planned; wandering aimlessly through the old streets, sitting quietly in a café with no agenda, or simply watching locals go about their morning grocery runs. It’s in these unplanned pauses that Lijiang really reveals its charm. If you can, stay at least two to three nights and give yourself the time to experience it fully, without rushing from one sight to the next.
What Lijiang Gave Us
Lijiang reminded us that travel isn’t just about seeing new places. It’s about feeling something new . We were fascinated by the stories of the Naxi people and their unique culture and truly touched by their hospitality. This wasn’t just our favourite leg of the trip. It was the one that stayed with us the longest.
Coming Up Next in Part 3…
We head deeper into Yunnan, moving onward to Shangri-La, where Tibetan culture, highland lakes and majestic monasteries await.
📍 Stay tuned for Part 3: Shangri-La – Highland Dreams and Tibetan Tranquility
Read our complete DIY Yunnan Travelogues here:
DIY 9D8N Yunnan Part 1: From Singapore to Kunming & Dali + Travel Tips for First-timers to China
DIY 9D8N Yunnan (Part 3): From Lijiang to Shangri-La – Highland Dreams & Tibetan Tranquility
DIY 9D8N Yunnan (Part 4): Our Final Stop in Yunnan – Slowing Down in Kunming Before Heading Home
