Wangu Pavilion
Wangu Pavilion is the highest point of the Ancient City of Lijiang, which make it the best place for the panoramic view of the city and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Yangtze River First Bend
Yangtze River First Bend is a subsite of the Three Parallel Rivers, a UNESCO World Heritage. Usually, it serves as a passing-by visit when traveling from Lijiang to Shangri-La or Lijiang to Tacheng.
Zhongyi Market
Zhongyi Market is the only remaining farmers’ market in the ancient city of Lijiang. It is an indispensable part of the local people’s lives in the ancient city.
Yuhu
Well-known as the “Rock Village,” is not only because Joseph Rock used to live here, but also because all the local villagers’ houses are built with rocks. Yuhu is a beautiful Naxi village lying on the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; compared with the commercial villages such as Shuhe and Dayan, it is much more tranquil and peaceful.
Baoshan Stone City
Baoshan Stone City is a peaceful untouched village remotely located 110 km to the north of Lijiang. The whole village is built on a huge mushroom-shaped boulder that stands abruptly 200 meters above the Jinsha River Canyon, with a stone wall around it, making it a natural defensive castle.
Baisha
Baisha was the ancient capital of the Naxi nationality and the center of Naxi culture, and is a part of UNESCO World Heritage site, “Lijiang Old Town”. Compared with the commercial villages such as Shuhe and Dayan, it is much more original and less crowded.
Wenhai
Wenhai is a freshwater lake located 30 km to the northwest of Lijiang. Together with the Weihai village nearby, is a still undeveloped area; compared with other lakes like Lashihai, it is much more orginal and with much fewer tourists.
Wenfeng Temple
Wenfeng Temple is located on the Wenbi Mountain (8 km from the ancient city), which is considered one of the best places to have a panoramic view of Lijiang. Compared with other famous lamaseries, it is a small yet much more peaceful and tranquil, a perfect place for meditation.
Sangushui
In ancient times, Sangushui used to be a very important part of the ancient Tea-Horse Road. Combines with countryside landscape, ancient Naxi villages, and canyons of the Jinsha River, it is the best place around Lijiang for hiking and escape from the tourist army.
Lugu Lake
Lugu Lake, located 180 km to the north of Lijiang, is known as the “mother lake” of the Mosuo people and the “Last Quaint Realm of Matriarchy.” Along the lakeside, there are many local boutique hotels, most of which with beautiful lake views.