Lijiang vs Dali: Which Yunnan Town to Visit? (2025)

Two ancient towns in Yunnan, both beautiful, both touristy. But they offer different experiences. Here's how to choose—or why you might visit both.

Quick Comparison

Factor	Lijiang	Dali
Vibe	Romantic, touristy	Laid-back, alternative
Crowds	More crowded	Less crowded
Main attraction	Old Town architecture	Erhai Lake + mountains
Surrounding nature	Snow mountains	Lake and farmland
UNESCO status	Yes (Old Town)	No
Backpacker scene	Moderate	Strong
Chinese tourism	Very heavy	Heavy but less
Cost	Higher	Lower

Lijiang

The Highlights

Old Town (UNESCO):

• 800+ year history
• Traditional Naxi architecture
• Canals and bridges
• Preserved (and restored) streets
• Most famous ancient town in Yunnan

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain:

• 5,596m peak visible from town
• Cable car to 4,500m+
• Glaciers and alpine scenery
• Day trip from Lijiang

Black Dragon Pool:

• Classic photo spot
• Mountain reflection
• Temple complex
• Free (with Old Town ticket)

The Reality

Very touristy:

• Shops selling same souvenirs
• Bars and loud music at night
• Chinese tour groups everywhere
• Can feel like theme park
• "Authentic" experiences staged

Still worth it:

• Architecture genuinely beautiful
• Evening atmosphere magical
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain spectacular
• Good food scene
• Easy access to Tiger Leaping Gorge

Best For

• Architecture photography
• Mountain scenery
• First-time Yunnan visitors
• Those who don't mind crowds
• Couples (romantic reputation)

Costs

• Old Town entry: ¥50 (ancient city maintenance fee)
• Hotels: ¥200-600/night
• Higher restaurant prices
• Tour prices elevated

Dali

The Highlights

Erhai Lake:

• Stunning mountain-backed lake
• Cycling around the shore
• Lakeside villages
• Boat trips
• Photography paradise

Old Town:

• Bai minority culture
• Less restored than Lijiang
• More local feel
• No entry fee
• Relaxed atmosphere

Three Pagodas:

• Iconic landmark
• 1,000+ year history
• Beautiful grounds
• ¥75 entry

Cangshan Mountain:

• Hike or cable car
• Temple visits
• Mountain streams
• Views over lake

The Reality

More laid-back:

• Backpacker and alternative scene
• Less tour-group focused
• Cafes and bars but mellower
• Digital nomad presence
• Younger Chinese travelers

Still touristy:

• Increasing development
• Similar souvenir shops appearing
• Weekends busier
• Not undiscovered

Best For

• Budget travelers
• Those seeking relaxed vibe
• Cycling enthusiasts
• Longer stays
• Digital nomads
• Avoiding intense crowds

Costs

• No Old Town entry fee
• Hotels: ¥100-400/night
• Food cheaper than Lijiang
• Better budget options

Side-by-Side

Atmosphere

Lijiang:

• Polished, romantic
• Busy, commercial
• Photography-focused
• Night market lively
• Can feel artificial

Dali:

• Hippie-ish, bohemian
• More local interactions
• Cafe culture strong
• Quieter evenings
• More authentic feel (relatively)

Nature

Lijiang:

• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (spectacular)
• Tiger Leaping Gorge (nearby)
• Mountain scenery
• Alpine environment

Dali:

• Erhai Lake (beautiful, accessible)
• Cangshan mountains
• Agricultural scenery
• Lakeside villages

Activities

Lijiang:

• Mountain visits
• Old Town wandering
• Photography
• Tiger Leaping Gorge trekking (day trip)
• Naxi culture shows

Dali:

• Cycling around lake
• Hiking
• Cafe hopping
• Village visits
• Laid-back exploration

Can You Do Both?

Yes—They're 2-3 Hours Apart

By bus: ¥50-80, 3 hours By train: ¥35-50, 2 hours By car: 2.5 hours

Suggested Combo Itinerary

5-6 Days Total:

Days 1-2: Dali

• Arrive, settle in
• Old Town exploration
• Cycling Erhai Lake

Day 3: Dali → Lijiang

• Morning travel
• Afternoon Old Town Lijiang
• Evening atmosphere

Days 4-5: Lijiang Area

• Day 4: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Day 5: Tiger Leaping Gorge OR more Old Town
• Depart evening

If You Can Only Pick One

Choose Lijiang if:

• You want UNESCO old town
• Mountain scenery is priority
• You're doing Tiger Leaping Gorge
• Short on time (more concentrated sights)
• Don't mind crowds

Choose Dali if:

• You prefer relaxed pace
• Lake scenery appeals
• You're on a budget
• You want longer, slower stay
• Crowds bother you
• You're cycling/hiking focused

Getting There

To Lijiang

By air: Lijiang Sanyi Airport

• Flights from major cities
• 30 min to Old Town

By train: Lijiang Station

• From Kunming: 3-4 hours (high-speed)
• From Dali: 2 hours

To Dali

By air: Dali Airport

• Fewer flights than Lijiang
• 30 min to Old Town

By train: Dali Station

• From Kunming: 2-2.5 hours
• More convenient train access

From Kunming

Kunming is the gateway:

• To Dali: 2-2.5 hours train
• To Lijiang: 3-4 hours train
• Can visit both in loop

When to Visit

Best time for both:

• March-May: Spring, flowers
• September-November: Clear skies

Avoid:

• Chinese New Year (extremely crowded)
• October Golden Week
• July-August (rainy season)

The Bottom Line

Lijiang: More spectacular, more touristy, more expensive Dali: More laid-back, more budget-friendly, more "real"

Both are touristy—neither is undiscovered. But they offer genuinely different experiences.

If you have time: do both. If choosing one: pick based on your travel style.

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Planning Yunnan travels? The China Survival Kit includes regional guides, transportation tips, and offline tools for exploring southwest China.