5 Days Romantic Trip to Lijiang & Lugu Lake

► Route: Lijiang → Ninglang County → Lugu Lake → Lijiang

Day 1 Lijiang Old Town

In the morning, take in a feel of this old town with a stroll to the Jade Spring Park, also known as Black Dragon Pool Park, which is about 15 minutes’ walk north of the big water wheel of the old town.

► Top Attractions: Temple of the Dragon King, Deyue Tower, Suocui Bridge, Wufeng Tower, Five-Arch Bridge…
► Opening Hours: 7:00 – 19:00
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 to 3 hours
► Ticket Price: Free entry with the receipt of the Lijiang Old Town Protection Fee of CNY 80.

The Black Dragon Pool is the best place to shoot the reflection of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. If the weather is fine, you can get there early enough to see sunrise above the distant snow mountain. At the Pearl Spring in the park, you can stir up pearl-like bubbles with your shouts. Try to ascent the Elephant Hill with an elevation of 2,704 meters (8,871 feet), which offers a great high spot to enjoy the panoramic view of Lijiang Old Town.

After lunch, it is recommended to visit the Mu's Residence in the center of the Lijiang Old Town. Known as the ‘Forbidden City of Naxi People’, it was the mansion of the Tusi leaders of the Mu Family of Lijiang in the past 470 years. The architecture integrates the styles of Han, Bai, and Naxi ethnic groups.

► How to get there: Mu's Residence is about 2 km (1.2 mi) south of the Jade Spring Park. You can walk there in 30 minutes, or take a taxi to the south entrance of the old town near Zhongyi Market in 10 minutes at a cost of CNY 15, and then walk there in 5 minutes.
► Opening Hours: 8:30 – 17:30
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 to 3 hours
► Ticket Price: CNY 40

Choose a local inn inside the old town to stay overnight.

Day 2 Lijiang to Lugu Lake

You are recommended to spend the next 3 days in Lugu Lake, which is a fairyland northwest of Lijiang. Lijiang Bus Station has buses running to the lake.

► Bus Schedule: 10:20, 12:00, 15:00
► Distance: 200 km (124 mi)
► Duration: 4 to 5 hours
► Fare: CNY 88

● If you want to set off earlier, you can take the special bus line running by some local tour operators. The price is similar. You can contact the owner of your hotel to book the tickets for you. The bus usually picks up passengers from Lijiang Old Town and Shuhe Old Town during 8:00 to 9:00, and arrives around 14:00, having several stops for you to rest and take photos on the way.

Please remember to take a panoramic picture of the lake at the viewing platform near the entrance. Weather permitting, you can see the sacred Gemu Goddess Mountain across the lake.

► Want to avoid the troubles in trip planning? You can book our 2 Days Guided Lugu Lake Tour.

Facts of Lugu Lake for Your Reference:

► Recommended Touring Route: Big Luoshui Village → Sanjia Village → Langfang Village → Love Wharf → Princess Island → The Inn → Walking Marriage Bridge of Caohai Lake → Zhao Family Bay → Lovers Beach of Sichuan → Lovers Tree of Nisai Village → Gemu Goddess Mountain → Lige Viewing Platform → Lige Village (Lige Peninsula)
► Opening Hours: 8:00 – 18:00
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 to 3 days
► Ticket Price: CNY 70

You can stay overnight at a guesthouse in Big Luoshui Village. In the evening, you may join a local campfire party if you are interested. It costs CNY 30 per person.

Day 3 Day Tour of Lugu Lake

First, visit the Lugu Lake Museum in the morning, and then walk to Lige Village, a quiet part of the lake. It is a well preserved place some 10 km (6.2 mi) away from Big Luoshui Village and needs a 2.5-hour hike. The water is reachable from the doorstep of every house. Have lunch here and then hike 3 to 4 hours to Dazui Village in the afternoon. You will pass by the Small Luoshui Village and there is a chance to see three rainbows hanging above the lake at the same time. Stay overnight here.

Day 4 Another Full Day in Lugu Lake

Get up before 7:00 o'clock to ascend the back hill of Dazui Village in time for the sunrise. Get downhill to have breakfast, and then walk to the Caohai Lake. You may stopover for lunch at Zuosuo Village. Do not miss the famous Walking Marriage Bridge. Take a cockleshell back to the Big Luoshui Village. The boat ride takes about 2.5 hours and costs CNY 80 to 100. Stay overnight there.

Day 5 Back to Lijiang

Your tour ends today. You can take a coach from Lugu Lake Bus Station at Big Luoshui Village to Lijiang.

► Bus Schedule: 8:00, 9:30, 12:15, 14:30, 16:00
► Distance: 200 km (124 mi)
► Duration: 4 to 5 hours
► Fare: CNY 88

You can spend a leisurely afternoon in Lijiang Old Town, visiting the Sifang Street and Wangu Tower, or explore the Shuhe Ancient Town which is just 7 km (4.3 mi) north of the Lijiang Old Town.

More Lijiang Hiking Tours:

Promenade in Rain Forest: 4 days hiking in Jionghong, Mengla County, Manlongdai Dai and Mandan Villages…
Sight of Tea Trees: 5 days, Jionghong, Mengzhe Township, Zhanglang Village, Xiding and Bada Township…
Different Geological Landscapes: 5 days, Lijiang, Dali, Tengchong, Dieshuihe Waterfall. etc

Recommended Cheap Lijiang Tour:

Lijiang Tour Package: 4 Days to visit highlight attractions in Lijiang including Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lijiang Old Town and more