Budget-Friendly Multi-Day Itinerary for Yunnan: Lijiang Edition

🌟Trip Overview ✅Duration: 5 days & 4 nights ✅Budget: ¥1,200/person (incl. accommodation + transport + tickets) ✅Route: Lijiang Old Town → Shuhe Ancient Town → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain → Baisha Ancient Town → Lashi Lake ✅Highlights: Free attractions covered + authentic cuisine + cost-effective stays 🌈Trip Highlights 🏯 Old Town Stroll: Cover iconic spots like the Waterwheel, Sifang Square, and Oil-Paper Umbrella Alley to experience Naxi culture 🏔️ Snow Mountain Hike: Free sunrise view at Dongba Valley, bargain horse riding at Yuhu Village down to ¥50/hour 🍜 Foodie Paradise: Try local specialties like chickpea jelly, cured pork ribs hotpot, and grilled rice cakes for just ¥30/person 🚶♀️ Hidden Gems: Free entry to Shuhe Ancient Town after 4pm, panoramic snow mountain views at Baisha 📅Detailed Itinerary 📅Day 1: First Impressions of Lijiang Old Town 📍Morning - Visit the landmark Waterwheel and get a free town map - Wander through Sifang Square to watch Naxi elders' Guozhuang dance (starts 7:30pm) - Photo op at Xianwen Alley's oil-paper umbrellas (arrive before 8am to avoid crowds) 📍Afternoon - Explore Mu's Residence (¥20, student discount available), the "Little Forbidden City" - Enjoy panoramic views from Lion Hill's Wan Gu Pavilion (¥15), best at sunset 📍Evening - Try chickpea jelly (¥5) and grilled rice cakes (¥3) at Zhongyi Market - Stay at budget hostels near South Gate like "Lijiang Old Town Youth Hostel" (¥60/person/night) 📅Day 2: Shuhe Ancient Town + Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Hike 📍Morning - Take Bus 6 to Shuhe Ancient Town (¥1.5), free entry after 4pm - Photograph Qinglong Bridge and Jiuding Dragon Pool, with coffee break at "Flying Flowers Touch Water" café 📍Afternoon - Carpool to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (¥20/person) or take Bus 101 from Zhongyi Market (¥15) - Free sunrise view at Dongba Valley, bargain horse riding at Yuhu Village (¥50/hour) - Hike through Blue Moon Valley (included in snow mountain ticket), recommended route: Shuiyue Pavilion to Jade Liquid Lake 📍Evening - Enjoy cured pork ribs hotpot at "You Yi Guo" (small pot ¥88 feeds two) - Stay at "Longmen Inn" in Shuhe (¥80/person/night), experience Naxi courtyard 📅Day 3: Baisha Ancient Town + Lashi Lake Cycling 📍Morning - Bus 6 to Baisha Ancient Town (¥1.5) for free snow mountain views - Visit "Snow Mountain Art Town" and try "Poet's Bun" brown sugar buns (¥2) 📍Afternoon - Carpool to Lashi Lake (¥15/person), cycle around the lake (bike rental ¥20/day) - Photo spot recommendation: "Migratory Bird Bay", avoid paid horse ranches for free viewpoints 📍Evening - Must-try local dishes: rainbow trout (¥40/jin) and water celery soup - Return to Lijiang Old Town, stay at "Cloud Homestay" near Zhongyi Market (¥70/person/night) 📅Day 4: Free Time & Departure 📍Morning - Shop for souvenirs at Zhongyi Market: flower cakes (¥1/each), yak jerky (¥50/jin) - Capture snow mountain reflections at Black Dragon Pool Park (¥50, includes old town maintenance fee) 📍Afternoon - Take bullet train from Lijiang to Kunming (¥80, 1.5 hours) 🍽️Food Guide 🌅 Breakfast: Hidden gems at North Gate Slope snack street! ¥10 fills you up. Try crispy Lijiang baba (sweet/savory) with smooth pea flour porridge, garnished with cilantro and chili. 🍴 Lunch: For ethnic flavors, try "Dianxi Prince·Dreaming of Lijiang" (¥50/person). Must-order: crispy Naxi grilled pork with mint, and water celery omelette with tofu-like texture. 🌃 Dinner: Don't miss cured pork ribs at "Grandma's Cured Pork Ribs" (¥60/person). The ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender in hearty chicken broth. Add local potatoes and greens for comfort food perfection. 🍢 Street Food: Zhongyi Market night market is paradise! ¥15 buys fullness. Try grilled milk fan (with rose jam), sticky rice sausage, and chickpea jelly (¥5, tangy-spicy). 💡 Tip: Avoid snacks on main streets! Locals flock to Zhongyi Market and North Gate Slope for authentic, fairly priced bites. No haggling needed! 😋 🚗Transport Guide ✈️ External Transport: - Kunming→Lijiang: ¥80 bullet train (1.5hrs) - Dali→Lijiang: ¥55 train (2hrs) 🚌 Local Transport: - Buses: 101 (Zhongyi Market→Snow Mountain), 6 (Old Town→Shuhe/Baisha) - Carpool: Old Town→Shuhe ¥10/person, Old Town→Snow Mountain ¥20/person - E-bike rental: ¥50/day for Lashi Lake/Baisha area 🛎️Accommodation Picks 🏨 Hostel: Lijiang Old Town International Youth Hostel (¥40/bed, near Waterwheel) 🏘️ Homestay: Longmen Inn in Shuhe (¥160/room with breakfast) 🛎️ Value Hotel: Jinmao Puxiu Snow Mountain Hotel (¥500/night off-season, mountain views) 💡Pro Tips 1. Ticket discounts: Students get free entry to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lugu Lake July-Aug 2025 with exam permits 2. Bargaining: Zhongyi Market souvenirs can be haggled to 50% off (e.g., scarves from ¥80→¥30) 3. Altitude prep: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reaches 4,506m - bring oxygen cans (¥15) and chocolate 4. Weather: Strong UV requires SPF50+; 15°C daily temp swings in summer - pack layers 📌Money-Saving Hacks - Skip Jade Dragon cable car - free views at Dongba Valley/Yuhu Village - Visit Shuhe/Baisha during free entry hours - Book old town stays 3 days early for Ctrip flash deals 🌄Experience Lijiang's best views on a budget! Bookmark this guide for your Yunnan adventure~