Discover Lijiang's vibrant culture with colourful festivals, ancient Naxi traditions, and charming old town adventures!

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Colourful festivals, ancient Naxi traditions, and time in Lijiang Old Town. Our handpicked shortlist of Lijiang culture experiences makes it easy to choose well.

Culture in Lijiang: Our Top Picks for Naxi Culture & Old Town

Culture in Lijiang

Discover Lijiang's vibrant culture with colourful festivals, ancient Naxi traditions, and charming old town adventures!

Lijiang Food Hunt with Local Stories

Learn how to order like a local and why ingredients matter in Naxi cooking.

Private Lijiang Old Town Walk with Naxi Guide 

Private walk with a Naxi local who brings Lijiang's culture and stories to life.

1-Day Hidden Villages & Wenhai Wetlands Trek | from Lijiang

Discover Lijiang beyond the crowds with monasteries, villages, and scenic hikes

2D1N Naxi Family Homestay in Lijiang | Forest Hikes & Village Life

Live with local families in Yunnan's countryside

Walking through Lijiang Old Town with a guide completely changed how I saw it. I'd expected it to feel like a tourist trap, rows of similar shops, walk in, walk out — but instead we actually understood how the town came to be. Even small details had reasons behind them, like the canals running through the streets, built because buildings back then caught fire so easily. 

We also learned about the pictographic script used there, one of the oldest writing systems still in active use today. It turned what could've been a quick stroll into something I actually remember

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Walking through Lijiang Old Town with a guide completely changed how I saw it. I'd expected it to feel like a tourist trap, rows of similar shops, walk in, walk out — but instead we actually understood how the town came to be. Even small details had reasons behind them, like the canals running through the streets, built because buildings back then caught fire so easily. 

We also learned about the pictographic script used there, one of the oldest writing systems still in active use today. It turned what could've been a quick stroll into something I actually remember

Lily gave us a glimpse into the place she calls home. We wandered through the local market, watched everyday life unfold at its own pace, and experienced a side of the town that felt genuine and unfiltered. It was calm, unhurried, and a refreshing contrast to the crowds and bustle of Lijiang Ancient Town.

Lily gave us a glimpse into the place she calls home. We wandered through the local market, watched everyday life unfold at its own pace, and experienced a side of the town that felt genuine and unfiltered. It was calm, unhurried, and a refreshing contrast to the crowds and bustle of Lijiang Ancient Town.


Having a local host makes a huge difference. Lijiang Old Town can be quite overwhelming on your own, but the guide helped bring it all to life with local stories, hidden gems, and insights into why the town is designed the way it is. It felt much more meaningful than simply wandering around. I was so engaged throughout the walk that I didn't even realise how many hours had passed.

Having a local host makes a huge difference. Lijiang Old Town can be quite overwhelming on your own, but the guide helped bring it all to life with local stories, hidden gems, and insights into why the town is designed the way it is. It felt much more meaningful than simply wandering around. I was so engaged throughout the walk that I didn't even realise how many hours had passed.

Great tour with local guide - we really enjoyed it. He was very flexible with the tour and guided us through Baisha old town. Thank you.

Great tour with local guide - we really enjoyed it. He was very flexible with the tour and guided us through Baisha old town. Thank you.


We (husband and I) had the most wonderful time touring Yunnan (Dali, Lijiang, Shangri La, Lugu Lake) with Nongbu in Dec 2023. The 9 days private trip opened our eyes to the beauty of Yunnan, with Nongbu sharing with us the customs, traditions, and history of different parts of Yunnan. His wealth of knowledge about Yunnan was really amazing, and we learnt so much from him. He was also very friendly and caring, constantly checking to make sure that we’re comfortable throughout the trip. Nongbu is conversant in English and Mandarin.

We (husband and I) had the most wonderful time touring Yunnan (Dali, Lijiang, Shangri La, Lugu Lake) with Nongbu in Dec 2023. The 9 days private trip opened our eyes to the beauty of Yunnan, with Nongbu sharing with us the customs, traditions, and history of different parts of Yunnan. His wealth of knowledge about Yunnan was really amazing, and we learnt so much from him. He was also very friendly and caring, constantly checking to make sure that we’re comfortable throughout the trip. Nongbu is conversant in English and Mandarin. 

Really enjoyed this experience with our guide Lyli. She had so much insight into the culture of the ethnic minority of the region and took us right into her own home and her neighbors as well to show us how people live. Highly recommend for anyone that is looking to get a better understanding of Yunnan's cultural diversity.

Really enjoyed this experience with our guide Lyli. She had so much insight into the culture of the ethnic minority of the region and took us right into her own home and her neighbors as well to show us how people live. Highly recommend for anyone that is looking to get a better understanding of Yunnan's cultural diversity. 

We traveled with Lily’s group for four days in Yunnan and were pleasantly surprised by how well organized the entire trip was and the quality of the services provided. We visited several beautiful off-the-beaten-path locations that we would not have discovered on our own. One of the highlights was sharing a local meal with our driver’s family, which was truly wonderful. Highly recommended.

We traveled with Lily’s group for four days in Yunnan and were pleasantly surprised by how well organized the entire trip was and the quality of the services provided. We visited several beautiful off-the-beaten-path locations that we would not have discovered on our own. One of the highlights was sharing a local meal with our driver’s family, which was truly wonderful. Highly recommended.

Lily is fantastic! If you're planning a trip to Yunnan, you absolutely must trust her! She speaks perfect English, is always available to help, and organizes unforgettable experiences for you!
 We stayed at his homestay in Lijiang, very close to the ancient city but in a quiet location away from the chaos of the city. The room was spacious, clean and the breakfast was plentiful and varied. We also spent a night at her parents' homestay, in a village about 30 minutes from Lijiang. Her parents are very hospitable, and Lily's mom is a great cook! You'll feel right at home and get a closer look at their culture. Had we had more time, we would have spent more days with Lily and her parents. Thanks again Lily, we will never forget you!

Lily is fantastic! If you're planning a trip to Yunnan, you absolutely must trust her! She speaks perfect English, is always available to help, and organizes unforgettable experiences for you!
We stayed at his homestay in Lijiang, very close to the ancient city but in a quiet location away from the chaos of the city. The room was spacious, clean and the breakfast was plentiful and varied. We also spent a night at her parents' homestay, in a village about 30 minutes from Lijiang. Her parents are very hospitable, and Lily's mom is a great cook! You'll feel right at home and get a closer look at their culture. Had we had more time, we would have spent more days with Lily and her parents. Thanks again Lily, we will never forget you!