Yunnan & Lijiang

In the 13th century, Kublai Khan camped in Lijiang on his way to conquer the Kingdom of Dali, and as a token of his gratitude he left scores of Tang and Song Dynasty court music for the local Naxi ruler. This music is still being played today by Naxi orchestras.

Lijiang lies at an altitude of 7,874 ft (2,400 m) and the northern border is formed by the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山 Yùlóng Xuěshān). Lijiang Airport has flights from many cities in China, and a high-speed train allows travel from Dali and Kunming in three to four hours respectively.

The Old Town of Lijiang is a World Heritage Site. It was partly destroyed by an earthquake in 1996 and restored in the traditional style. The smaller towns of Shuhe and Baisha and idyllic Yuhu village retain their old charm. Black Dragon Pool Park holds the iconic view of Lijiang with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in tranquil spring-fed waters. Several ancient Tibetan Buddhist temples and traditional Naxi temples dot the valley, and traces of the old Tea Caravan Road can be found in the surrounding hills.

For a taste of minority culture, join the Yi, Naxi and Bai at their Torch Festival, venture out to Lake Lugu for the Mosuo and Pumi ceremonies, or celebrate the Moon Festival with a local Naxi family in their traditional village courtyard.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park has several boardwalks at various altitudes accessible to all, and off-the-beaten-track hiking is possible for experienced hikers on the southern slopes, reaching altitudes above 4,000m / 13,000ft. More family-friendly hiking opportunities abound in the Lashi Lake area; horse trekking is also available. A classic two-day trek around Tiger Leaping Gorge should be on everyone's bucket list, and traveling further north around Lake Lugu and from Lake Lugu to Yading National Park are great options for longer itineraries.

Spring and fall are the best times of year to visit. Temperatures are pleasant and rain is less common — important since it could obstruct mountain views or render mountain roads impassable. Winter is cold, but quite pleasant with clear blue skies and great views of the surrounding peaks. Rain is common from May to September and especially heavy in June through August; the national holidays in May and October can make for very crowded experiences with domestic tourists.

Lijiang has been the home of our partners for many years. Pincu grew up in a small Pumi village close to Lake Lugu. His family still practices the custom of 'walking marriage' for which the Mosuo people around Lake Lugu are known. Pincu is deeply familiar with the area, its history and customs, and the various minority peoples. When he married Henriette, an expat who has lived, studied and travelled in China for over ten years, they settled in Lijiang. Their shared dream is to reveal both the famous sites and hidden treasures of the area through cultural tours and hikes that are on and off the beaten track.