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Lijiang — China travel

14 Days in Lijiang

Two weeks in Yunnan's Naxi cultural capital.

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Best time: April-May or September-NovemberBudget: luxury

Quick Answer

Is 14 days enough for Lijiang?

14 days lets you go beyond Lijiang's core into neighborhoods, food markets, and one or two day trips at a relaxed pace.

Source: NihaoVisit Lijiang guide

14-day Lijiang itinerary at a glance

Use our full Lijiang travel guide as the base and adapt it to 14 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.

Lijiang Old TownJade Dragon Snow MountainTiger Leaping GorgeShaxi
1
Day 1

Old Town

Arrive and explore the UNESCO Old Town - Mufu Mansion and Sifang Street.

Scenes from Lijiang, China
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2
Day 2

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Cable car up to Glacier Park for close-up snow mountain views.

Scenes from Lijiang, China
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3
Day 3

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Day trip to one of the world's deepest river canyons.

Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lijiang, China
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4
Day 4

Old Town, Second Pass

Return to the lanes and corners missed on day one.

Scenes from Lijiang, China
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5
Day 5

Shaxi

Day trip to the well-preserved Shaxi Ancient Town.

Scenes from Lijiang, China
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6
Day 6

Old Town and Markets

Morning among the neighborhoods and food markets of the old town.

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Day 7

Culture Day

A slower day for museums and the quieter side of the old town.

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Day 8

Tiger Leaping Gorge, Second Visit

Back to the gorge for the viewpoints missed on day three.

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9
Day 9

Old Town at Leisure

A slow day in the old town - courtyards, cafes and quiet lanes.

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Day 10

Markets and Food

Work through the food markets around the old town.

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11
Day 11

Gorge Farewell

One more day trip to the gorge before saying goodbye.

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12
Day 12

Sifang Street Shopping

Souvenir shopping on and around Sifang Street.

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13
Day 13

Favorite Corners

Revisit your favorite corners of the old town at leisure.

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14
Day 14

Departure

Departure day - transfer and farewell to Lijiang.

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Budget for 14 days in Lijiang

TierPer day14 days total
BackpackerUSD $50–$80USD $700–$1,120
Mid-rangeUSD $100–$200USD $1,400–$2,800
LuxuryUSD $300+USD $4,200+

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Frequently asked questions

What is the daily budget for Lijiang?
Budget travelers: USD $50–$80/day. Mid-range: $100–$200/day. Luxury: $300+/day. These cover hotel, three meals, transit, and one paid attraction per day.
Do I need a visa to visit Lijiang?
It depends on your passport — see our <a href="/china-visa-2026/">China visa guide</a> for the latest country-by-country list. Most Western passport holders can enter visa-free for 30 days as of 2026.
How do I get from the airport to the center of Lijiang?
Lijiang's main airport connects to the city center via airport bus, taxi, or metro where available. See the airport transfer section of our Lijiang guide.
Can I use 14 days for both Lijiang and a side trip?
Yes — with 14 days you can pair Lijiang with one nearby city (e.g. a short rail or bus side trip) and still have buffer days.
Is Lijiang safe for tourists?
Yes. Lijiang has very low violent crime rates and is widely considered safe for foreign tourists. Standard petty-theft precautions apply. See our <a href="/is-china-safe-2026/">is China safe</a> page.

See also: Lijiang travel guide, China visa 2026, China trip cost.