Lijiang · history museum
Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County Museum (丽江纳西族自治县博物馆, Lìjiāng Nàxīzú Zìzhìxiàn Bówùguǎn)
The Lijiang Naxi Museum (丽江纳西族自治县博物馆) is in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, at the edge of the UNESCO-listed Lijiang Old Town (大研古城). Lijiang was the center of the Naxi (纳西) people, an ancient minority culture with their own script (Dongba / 东巴文), music tradition, and water management system. The museum documents: (1) the Naxi Dongba script — the only living hieroglyphic writing system in the world; (2) the ancient Naxi music tradition (纳西古乐); (3) the Tea Horse Road (茶马古道) trade routes that passed through Lijiang; (4) the traditional Naxi courtyard architecture.
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Quick Answer
Is Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County Museum worth visiting?
The museum of the Naxi (纳西) minority culture at the edge of the UNESCO-listed Lijiang old town — documenting the Dongba (东巴) script, the Naxi music tradition, and the ancient "茶马古道" (Tea Horse Road). Free.
Quick facts
| Category | history |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free. Passport required. Walk-in. |
| Hours | 9:00-17:00. Closed Mondays. |
| Recommended duration | 1-1.5 hours. |
| Best time to visit | October through March. Lijiang is at 2,400m elevation — spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are best. Summer has heavy rain. |
| How to get there | Bus route 2 or 8 to Lijiang Old Town (大研古城) stop. From Lijiang Railway Station by DiDi: ¥20-30. |
| English signage | partial |
Why visit
The Naxi Dongba script is the only living hieroglyphic writing system in the world — older than the甲骨文 (oracle bone script) in some character forms. The museum provides essential context for understanding Lijiang's old town UNESCO designation.
Collection highlights
- Dongba script manuscripts — the ancient Naxi hieroglyphic manuscripts used by Dongba priests for rituals
- Naxi ancient music (纳西古乐) instruments — traditional instruments used in the ancient Naxi music tradition
- Tea Horse Road trade objects — objects documenting the ancient trade between Yunnan and Tibet
- Naxi traditional costume — embroidered Naxi costumes with the distinctive "tassel" (披星戴月) sun-and-moon back piece
- Ancient Naxi water engineering — models showing the 800-year-old water management system that supplies Lijiang's canals
Tips
- Combine with the Lijiang Old Town (大研古城) — the UNESCO World Heritage ancient town is adjacent
- The Dongba script is still in use today — it can be seen on signage throughout Lijiang
- The "Naxi Ancient Music" (纳西古乐) performances at the Lijiang Theater are an evening cultural experience
Frequently asked questions
What is Dongba script?
Dongba (东巴文) is the only living hieroglyphic writing system in the world, used by the Naxi people of Yunnan. It has over 1,400 characters and is used by Dongba priests in religious manuscripts. It predates the development of the Chinese character system in some character forms.
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Other things to do in Lijiang
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong)
A 5,596m glaciated peak above Lijiang — China's closest accessible雪山 to a mid-size city. Cable car to 4,506m. ¥100–180 depending on season. Go at opening time to avoid clouds. Half-day trip.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xue Shan)
The 5,596m sacred mountain above Lijiang — glacier viewing, alpine meadows, and the 4,680m highland glacier park accessible by cable car. ¥100+ park entry. Half-day trip.
Lijiang Ancient Town (Dayan)
世界文化遗产，纳西族聚居地，小桥流水人家与纳西古乐的活态博物馆。
Lugu Lake
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Meili Snow Mountain (Kawagebo Peak)
藏区八大神山之首，主峰卡瓦格博海拔6740米，云南最高峰。飞来寺观景台40元，明永冰川78元。10月至次年5月最佳，建议2-4天深度游。
Dukezhong Ancient Town (Shangri-La Old Town)
茶马古道重镇，始建于唐676年（1300+年历史），中国保存最好最大的藏族民居群。古城维护费40元。免费进入，全天开放。龟山公园有世界最大转经筒（高21米，重60吨）。
Tiger Leaping Gorge
世界最深峡谷之一，金沙江在此劈开玉龙、哈巴两座雪山，水势汹涌壮观。
Yubeng Village
Remote Tibetan village at 3,200m in the Meili Snow Mountain range. Only accessible by foot or 4WD. Sacred Kawagebo (6,740m) views. ¥60. 2-day minimum.