I've been to Lijiang five times, and here's my guide.

In May, Lijiang has a gentle sun and a light breeze. The snow mountains have not yet melted, and the sea of flowers is blooming all over the mountains 🌺. This guide will take you to unlock the poetry and distance of Lijiang and start a healing journey~ Itinerary: Day 1 Old Town Slow Life + Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Morning: Stroll through Lijiang Old Town • 9:00 Encounter the Old Town in the Morning Light Avoid the crowds, the old town in the morning is the most charming. Pass through the "Big Waterwheel" and stroll along "Qiyi Street". The bluestone road gleams, and Naxi grandmothers sell flowers on the street corners 💐. It is recommended to take photos at "Dayan Flower Lane", the oil-paper umbrella corridor and lantern wall are super photogenic 📸. • 11:00 Check in at Mufu Mansion "The Forbidden City in the north and Mufu Mansion in the south." The architecture of Mufu Mansion is carved with beams and painted buildings. Climb to the top of "Wangu Tower" to overlook the entire old town. The red walls and black tiles are in the same frame as the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is breathtakingly beautiful 🏯. Noon: • Zhongyi Market Lunch The local's favorite vegetable market! Come and have a bowl of "Chicken Rice Noodles" 🍜, the soup is rich and fragrant, add a portion of "Watery Poplar Flower Vegetable" to taste the freshness and feel the Naxi flavor~ Afternoon: Explore Jade Dragon Snow Mountain • 13:30 Take the cable car up the mountain Book "Glacier Park Cableway Tickets" 🎫 in advance, wear a down jacket + oxygen tank (can be rented in the old town), climb to the 4,680m stele, the snow mountain is surging with clouds and fog, and the sense of accomplishment is full! After going down the mountain, visit "Blue Moon Valley". The lake is as blue as a gem, take a group of snow mountain reflection blockbusters 💙. Evening: The Old Town Never Sleeps • 18:30 Listen to a folk song live Da Bing's Cabin, Dayan Flower Lane "Folk Song Square", singers play and sing with guitars, order a glass of "Wind Flower Snow Moon Beer" 🍻, and get tipsy in the evening breeze of the old town~ Itinerary: Day 2 Shuhe Secret Realm + Lashi Lake Cycling Morning: Check in at Shuhe Ancient Town • 9:00 Feel the slow time of "Little Kyoto" Shuhe is quieter than Dayan. The stream is gurgling by the "Qinglong Bridge", and the "Jiuding Dragon Pool" reflects the snow mountain. Sit in the "Haligou" coffee shop and watch the clouds rolling and relaxing ☁️. This is how good life is~ • 11:00 Handmade experience time It is recommended to make handmade leather goods at "Pijiangfang", or DIY Naxi Dongba paper lanterns at "Dongba Paper Workshop", and take away a unique souvenir 🎁. Noon: • Shuhe's "A Bite of China" same style Eat "Snow Mountain Fish Hot Pot" 🐟, the fish is tender and smooth, with wild mushroom soup; then have a portion of "Naxi Barbecue", which is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, fragrant but not greasy~ Afternoon: Lashi Lake Wetland Cycling • 13:30 Horse riding through the Ancient Tea Horse Road Choose a "Cloud End Beyond" route, ride a horse through pine forests and flower fields. The Gesang flowers in May are in full bloom 🌸. Get off the horse to take pictures along the way and feel the comfort of "the wind blows the grass and sees cattle and sheep"~ • 15:30 Stroll along the Lashi Lake Migratory birds hover in the wetland, rent a transparent boat 🚣‍♀️, take beautiful "Mirror of the Sky" photos, and the distant snow mountains are faintly visible, as if breaking into a fairy tale world~ Evening: Shuhe Starry Sky Dinner • 18:00 Watch the stars at a lakeside restaurant Choose a terrace restaurant near "Shilian Temple", order a "Rib Hot Pot" 🍲, watch the stars gradually light up, and listen to the sound of the wind blowing through the wheat field~ Food Red List: Local's Private Collection List ✅ • Lijiang Baba: Salty, fragrant and crispy, it is a must with butter tea. The "Sifang Temple Fair" is the most authentic~ • Yak jerky: The freshly roasted spicy flavor is chewy, and it can be wholesale at "Zhongyi Market" in the ancient city 📦. • Wild Mushroom Hot Pot: May is the mushroom season, "Jungu Wild Mushroom Hot Pot" must be checked in, it's so fresh that your eyebrows will fall off! Accommodation recommendation: Sleep in the scenery • Dayan Ancient City: "Xitian Yueshang" The courtyard has century-old trees, the rooms have private hot spring baths, and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain can be seen when you open the window, suitable for couples and girlfriends 💑. • Shuhe Ancient Town: "Tinghuatang" Ins-style white castle homestay, the rooftop terrace can take panoramic views of the snow mountain, and the internet-famous swing has a 100% photo rate 📸. Travel Tips⚠️ 1. Sun protection: The ultraviolet rays are super strong! Sunscreen + sunglasses + sun hat are essential, remember to reapply at any time 🌞. 2. Altitude sickness: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain has a high altitude, move slowly, drink Rhodiola in advance to prevent it, and use oxygen cylinders as needed~ 3. Dressing: Wear a thin coat + long skirt 👗 during the day, and add a down jacket in the morning and evening; it is recommended to prepare a pair of Martin boots for easy horse riding and walking on stone roads. In Lijiang in May, everything you see is scenery, and everything you hear is stories ✨. Come here, give time to the snow-capped mountains, ancient cities, and folk songs, and let your heart freely stretch in the wind, flowers, snow, and moon~ 🌄