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Lijiang Old Town: Exploring Yunnan's Ancient Charm

Our Favourite Place in China So Far… (Lijiang Old Town)

Destination:ChinaProvince:YunnanCity:Lijiang

China travel video

Our Favourite Place in China So Far…. This China travel video was filmed by Max and Jacqueline. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

Our third stop on our CRAZY CHINA TRIP brings us to what might be the best-looking old town we have ever been to. Lijiang, a town nestled between mountains and temples.

We’re travelling across China by train for 30 days — on a mission to explore the culture, food, and wild beauty of this huge country on a backpacker budget.

--- Max and Jacqueline
April 20, 2025, Spring in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

On their 30-day China trip, Max and Jacqueline arrive in Lijiang and stay in a hotel inside the old town. They wander its lanes, eat noodle soup by a stone bridge and browse a night market for fried rolls and beef skewers. A local woman invites them to taste tea, and they later visit Black Dragon Pool Park, with clear water and views of the snow-covered mountain. They decide not to visit Jade Snow Mountain because of the cost. The travelers also compare Lijiang with Dali and reflect on what made the town their favorite stop so far. Their stay includes a hotel inside the old town, walks through the lanes and a visit to a lively food market. They sample fried rolls and spicy beef skewers, stop at Black Dragon Pool Park and discuss the cost of visiting Jade Snow Mountain. A tea tasting offered by a local woman becomes a personal highlight. The travelers also visit Bisha community and Lion’s Hill, where they see frescoes, wall paintings, views over town and cherry blossoms. Their reflections compare Lijiang with Dali and explain why they would return.

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More about the current video:(Published on 2025-04-20)

Our Favourite Place in China So Far… (Lijiang Old Town)

Arrival in Lijiang's old town

Max and Jacqueline reach Lijiang as part of a 30-day trip through China. After arriving by train, they find their hotel inside the old town and take in the views from the property. The lanes, traditional buildings and stone bridges make an immediate impression. The travelers describe Lijiang as even more charming than their previous stop in Dali, and they spend time walking rather than rushing from one attraction to another. One early meal is noodle soup near a centuries-old stone bridge, an affordable, relaxed stop beside the water.

The couple also encounters the cold weather during their walk and looks at traditional crafts and bracelets. At the night market, they try local street food, including fried rolls and spicy beef skewers. They look at food-stall signs and try to work out what is being sold. Later, a local woman offers them tea. The impromptu tasting stands out because of the woman's generosity and gives them a chance to talk with someone who lives in the area. The visit adds a personal moment to their exploration of the old town.

Parks, mountain views and travel choices

Max and Jacqueline visit Black Dragon Pool Park, where clear water sits beneath views of the snow-covered mountain. The park provides a quieter contrast to the lanes and market. They consider going to Jade Snow Mountain but decide against it because of the cost. Their discussion reflects a budget-conscious approach to the trip: they weigh the experience against what they can spend rather than treating every popular outing as essential.

Their exploration also takes them to Bisha community, known in the video for frescoes and wall paintings, and to Lion's Hill for a view over the town. They are surprised to see cherry blossoms during their visit. The final reflections return to Lijiang's old-town streets, local food and friendly encounters. The travelers say that the town is their favorite place in China so far, while also comparing it with Dali and discussing whether they would return. The video presents their impressions as part of a longer journey, combining ordinary decisions about hotels, walking and costs with visits to historic streets and nearby scenery.

Their 30-day trip provides context for the way they make choices in Lijiang. They have already compared the town with Dali, and they continue to balance sightseeing with the costs of additional excursions. Staying inside the old town puts them close to the lanes and restaurants they want to explore, while a visit to Black Dragon Pool gives them access to a different view of the surrounding landscape. The decision to skip Jade Snow Mountain is explained in terms of price, not a lack of interest. Their account also gives space to the small encounters that happen between destinations: looking at bracelets, trying food at stalls, accepting tea and noticing blossoms. These details are the basis for their positive impression of Lijiang and their view that it is worth the longer journey.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What was the most memorable part of Max and Jacqueline's Lijiang visit?
A: They find it difficult to choose just one thing. The spontaneous tea tasting with a kind local woman is especially memorable, and they also describe the food market as a vivid sensory experience with many things to see and try.
Q: What advice do Max and Jacqueline give for visiting Lijiang?
A: They recommend going even though Lijiang is farther from some other popular cities. They advise visitors to expect plenty of walking, pack light and stay open to unexpected conversations with local people, since those encounters can become a highlight.
Q: Why did they decide not to visit Jade Snow Mountain?
A: Max and Jacqueline discuss the cost and decide not to make that visit. Instead, they go to Black Dragon Pool Park and other parts of the town during their stay.

Previous travel video:

Lijiang Old Town: Exploring Yunnan's Ancient Charm

Our third stop on our CRAZY CHINA TRIP brings us to what might be the best-looking old town we have ever been to. Lijiang, a town nestled between mountains and temples. 00:00 Intro: 30 Days in China by Train 00:11 First Impressions of Lijiang 00:33 Arriving in the Old Town 01:04 Chaos at the Train...

Lijiang Old Town: Exploring China's Ancient Charm

Max and Jacqueline's 30-day China train adventure brought them to Lijiang's captivating old town, nestled amidst mountains and temples. Their journey included navigating a chaotic train station, finding their hotel, and savoring delicious noodle soup. Exploring the magical streets, they encountered traditional crafts, a vibrant night market, and delightful street food. Despite the cold, they experienced a surprise tea tasting and discovered their favorite hotel so far. The ancient town, a park, and Black Dragon Pool added to their exploration, culminating in a reflection on why Lijiang is worth visiting. The video also includes comparisons with Dali and a teaser of their next adventure.

Attractions in this video: Lijiang Old Town, Black Dragon Pool Park, Lions Hill, Jade Snow Mountain