Lijiang Old Town

Lijiang Old Town (Dayan) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's best-preserved ancient towns, its dense network of cobblestone lanes, wooden Naxi-style architecture, and willow-fringed canals unchanged in layout since the Song Dynasty. Founded by the Naxi people over 800 years ago at 2,400 metres on the Yunnan plateau, the town is divided into three interconnected quarters — Dayan, Shuhe, and Baisha — linked by more than 300 stone bridges and fed by a clever three-branch canal system drawn from Yuquan Spring. The main market square (Sifang Jie) is the social hub, surrounded by wooden shop-houses selling Naxi brasswork, embroidery, and the local Baba flatbread. Evenings bring Naxi traditional music performances and lantern-lit bars. Despite heavy tourism, the residential quarters to the north retain an authentic pace. Allow 2–3 days to explore beyond the tourist core.