I flew alone from Guangdong to Lijiang, aiming for the alpine lakes of Nanjilu. After finishing the hiking trail, I was completely exhausted. Returning to the ancient town and staying at Sanzhai Life was when I finally recovered. The owner is both a travel planner and a photographer; they arranged the Nanjilu guide, transportation, and route for me perfectly. After the hike, they even took a set of high-quality photos for free. Zongjie, the Alaskan in the courtyard, is soft and super cute, and the coffee is exquisite and delicious. Being able to head into the mountains and have a solid place to land—this is the most comfortable way to experience a hiking trip.
🏨 [Guesthouse Address] 126 Zhongyi Lane, Guangyi Street, Gucheng District, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province (Gucheng Sifang Street Mufu Branch)
· 3-minute walk to Mufu, 5-minute walk to Zhongyi Market. Located in the heart of the ancient town, yet quiet and secluded.
· If driving, you can park at Bailong Cultural Parking Lot and walk 3 minutes to arrive.
🌆 [Design Style] Converted from an old Naxi courtyard, it avoids trendy elements and opts for a warm, natural wood style. The courtyard is filled with flowers and trees, and sunlight fills the yard from morning to night. Inside, there is a full wall of books and a coffee lounge area, with warm lighting wrapped in a faint woody scent. Returning here after a hike, pushing the door open isolates you from the noise outside. It doesn't feel like staying in a hotel; it feels more like returning to a friend's small courtyard, with a sense of relaxation that is instantly maximized.
🛏 [Room Type/Layout] The guest rooms continue the natural wood texture of the courtyard. The space is open and not cramped, with solid lighting and soundproofing. The bedding is skin-friendly and soft, the bathroom has wet/dry separation, and there is plenty of hot water. After finishing a high-altitude hike, taking a hot shower and lying in a soft bed can wash away most of the fatigue. The single room is spacious enough for one person, and there are twin rooms and family rooms available for those traveling together, catering to different travel needs.
🚌 [Transportation Guide]
· Arriving by plane/high-speed train: Take a taxi directly to "Bailong Cultural Parking Lot," then walk 3 minutes to the property.
· Driving: Navigate to "Bailong Cultural Parking Lot" to park. Motor vehicles cannot enter the ancient town. After booking, the owner will send detailed walking directions.
· For Nanjilu, you can have the owner arrange transportation and guides for the entire trip, saving you the trouble of finding vehicles yourself.
🏨 [Check-in Information]
· Please present a valid ID to check in.
· Standard check-in is after 2:00 PM, and check-out is before 12:00 PM.
· If arriving early, luggage storage is free. You can communicate with the owner in advance for customized hiking routes and photo shoots.
⛺ [Complete Travel Guide]
1. Nanjilu Hiking Practical Guide
Nanjilu is located in Badi Township, Weixi County, Diqing, hidden deep in the Bilo Snow Mountains. A string of alpine glacial lakes are embedded in the mountains like emeralds, making it a very niche hiking secret in Yunnan.
1. How to get there from Lijiang
· Total journey: About 6–7 hours from Lijiang. Usually, you first go to Badi Township, then transfer to a local 4WD off-road vehicle to enter the mountains. A local guide is required.
· It is recommended to arrange a 2–3 day itinerary: Day 1 Lijiang to Badi Township for rest, Day 2 full-day Nanjilu hike, Day 3 return to Lijiang for a more relaxed pace.
· The guesthouse can help connect you with official guides and transportation, so you don't have to find resources yourself, ensuring better safety.
2. Hiking Route Selection
· Small loop: About 7 km round trip, max altitude 3,800m, covers lakes 1–5. Lower difficulty, suitable for beginners with basic hiking experience.
· Large loop: About 10 km total, takes 6–8 hours, max altitude 4,400m, covers lakes 3–9. Requires crossing a mountain pass, suitable for players with high-altitude hiking experience.
· Highlights: Lake 5 "Sky Eye" photo spot, Lake 7–9 glacial blue lake surface, alpine meadows, and rhododendron seas (May–June).
3. Best Time to Visit
· Late May–June: Alpine rhododendrons are in full bloom, meadows turn green, and the flower colors against the blue lakes are perfect for photos.
· September–mid-October: Rich autumn scenery, stable weather with high visibility, high probability of seeing the gem-blue lake surface.
· July–August is the rainy season, with slippery roads and fog, and the lake water clarity is slightly lower.
4. Important Notes
· Nanjilu's ecosystem is sensitive. You must book entry quotas in advance and be accompanied by a guide. It is not recommended to go alone.
· The hiking section is at an altitude of 3,800–4,400m, with a risk of altitude sickness. It is recommended to acclimatize in advance and prepare anti-altitude sickness medication.
· There is no signal after entering the mountains. Inform your companions of your itinerary in advance, follow the guide's route, and do not leave the group without permission.
· Plateau weather is changeable, switching quickly between sunny and rainy. Be sure to bring a windbreaker, rain gear, and sun protection.
· Please hike without a trace, take all trash with you, and protect the fragile alpine ecosystem.
2. Must-Experience at Sanzhai Life
1. Owner's free high-quality photo shoot. The owner is a senior photographer with great aesthetic sense. I didn't dress up specifically after the hike, but we took a set of photos in the courtyard, coffee bar, and book bar. The lighting and composition are very cinematic, rivaling paid travel photography. Even when hiking alone, you can still have decent travel memories.
2. Healing companionship from Zongjie the Alaskan. Zongjie in the courtyard is super cute, chubby but very gentle. He will slowly come over to rub against your hand and cooperates well for photos. Squatting in the courtyard to pet the big dog after the hike, all the fatigue from the mountain road is healed by the fluffiness.
3. Exquisite coffee for recovery. The guesthouse's coffee is made with care, the bean quality is good, and both hand-drip and espresso are great. On the afternoon after returning from the hike, ordering a cup of coffee and sitting in the courtyard to bask in the sun, without having to rush the itinerary or reply to messages, is the most relaxing moment of the whole trip.
4. Full-trip customized travel plans. From Nanjilu hiking routes to niche spots around Lijiang, the owner can plan according to your physical strength and preferences. This time, besides Nanjilu, I also visited the First Bend of the Yangtze River in Shigu and Shaxi Ancient Town on the way. The route was smooth, not roundabout, and avoided many tourist crowds.
3. Nearby Lijiang Attractions
From Nanjilu, you can spend 1–2 days exploring Lijiang:
· Shigu Town · First Bend of the Yangtze River: Can be visited on the way to Nanjilu. Overlook the great bend of the Yangtze River, which is vast and shocking.
· Shaxi Ancient Town: 1.5 hours drive from Lijiang. Quieter and more primitive than Lijiang Ancient Town, suitable for slow-paced rest after hiking.
· Lashihai Wetland Park: Light hiking in the suburbs, watching migratory birds and walking through wetlands, with a relaxed pace that doesn't consume much energy.
🍩 [Dining Features] The guesthouse provides exquisite afternoon tea, with coffee and special drinks paired with snacks. Sitting in the courtyard to eat creates a great atmosphere. If you want a full meal, the owner will also recommend nearby local restaurants, which are authentic flavors that locals often visit, so you won't be disappointed.
🏬 [Nearby Attractions]
· Mufu: 3-minute walk away. The Naxi ancient architecture is magnificent and elegant, suitable for slow strolling and taking photos.
· Zhongyi Market: About a 5-minute walk. Rich in local life, it's practical for buying fruit, eating snacks, and picking out local specialties.
· Sifang Street/Qiyi Street: Within walking distance. Densely packed with small shops, restaurants, and bars, convenient for strolling at night and having dinner.
· Shizishan Viewing Platform: Within walking distance. Climb up to overlook the panoramic view of the ancient town, with an excellent atmosphere for watching the sunset and night views.
💴 [Average Cost]
· The guesthouse costs about 200–400 CNY/night per person in the low season, with slight fluctuations during peak seasons and holidays.
· The cost of the Nanjilu hiking route varies depending on the number of days, vehicle type, and guide configuration. You can consult the owner for an accurate plan.
· Free itinerary consultation, basic travel photography, pet interaction, and book bar leisure are all included in the stay, offering great overall value.
🧡 [Tips]
1. If planning to go to Nanjilu, it is recommended to communicate with the owner 3–5 days in advance to book entry quotas and guides. Planning earlier is needed for peak seasons.
2. Hike at high altitudes according to your ability. If you experience severe altitude sickness, descend in time. Bring equipment such as a windbreaker, hiking shoes, trekking poles, and headlamps.
3. If you want to take great photos of the guesthouse, it is recommended to book the morning slot, as the light in the courtyard is the softest and the results are best.
4. When interacting with Zongjie, gentle petting is enough. Do not feed him your own food.
5. UV rays are strong in Lijiang and plateau areas, so take sun protection measures throughout the trip. The temperature difference between day and night is large, so bring warm clothing.
Sanzhai Life | Free JYSTORALCNCIENTCXF Natural Wood Design Store (Gucheng Sifang Street Branch)