Travel with Catherine: 5 Days Lijiang Leisure Tour with Two Gorgeous Lakes

Expecting a warm land with sunshine during cold winter days, Lijiang is always a good destination to satisfy the need and it can be visited in four seasons. Here is more than the Lijiang Old Town, much more beautiful natural sightseeing including Lugu Lake, Lashi Lake, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Tiger Leaping Gorge are worth visiting as well.

Emerald Blue Water in Beautiful Lugu Lake

Emerald Blue Water in Beautiful Lugu Lake

Day 1 Lijiang Arriving

After arrived in Lijiang, I had whole afternoon time to explore in Lijiang Ancient Town.

Lijiang is a beautifully preserved ancient Chinese town, infused with cultural flavor. Strolling along the 800-year-old bridges and waterways of the world-famous Old Town district is like stepping back in time.

Daytime in Lijiang Old Town

Daytime in Lijiang Old Town

Nightlife in Lijiang Old Town

Nightlife in Lijiang Old Town

Day 2  Lashi Lake

Today my destination is to Lashi Lake for horse riding and leisure boating.

Yunnan is an inland providence which means it has no sea; therefore, any larger lakes normally are called sea by locals. We came with a group to a place where we rode the small horses call Denma (滇馬). Its height is about 110 m (361 ft) and they look cute, but do not underestimate it. It was the main horse used on the Ancient Tea Route (茶馬古道) for transportation. Although they were small, we still needed help to get on it. It was a pleasant ride and we went through the backyard of the countryside. We saw many rice fields, fruit trees and ponds on our way to Lashi Lake.

After the horse riding, take a boat sailing on the tranquil Lashi Lake and enjoy the idyllic countryside scenery silently.

Lijiang Leisure Tour

Picturesque Lashi Lake

Day 3  Lijiang – Lugu Lake

It took 3.4-5 hours by road from Lijiang. The journey there is just out of this world. We traveled from one mountain to the next, passing by streams, rivers and villages dotted on the hills and mountains.

About noon, we reached Lugu Lake. When our van reached a strategic point overlooking the beautiful Lugu Lake, we got down to take beautiful photos of the lake. Down there, lay a stretch of emerald blue water surrounded by lush green mountains and the turquoise sky with some white patches of clouds. There were a few small islands studding the wide stretch of water. What an amazing scene! We traveled around the lake in the afternoon.

Aerial View of Lege Peninsula in Lugu Lake

Aerial View of Lege Peninsula in Lugu Lake

Day 4  Lugu Lake

In early morning, I took a “Pig Trough Boat” to watch Sunrise.  It was a wonderful experience. It is very cold in the morning but worthwhile.

Fascinating Sunrise of Lugu Lake by Pig Trough Boat

Fascinating Sunrise of Lugu Lake by Pig Trough Boat

Sunrise at Lugu Lake

Sunrise at Lugu Lake

Local Pig Trough Boat

Local Pig Trough Boat

Later, walking Marriage Bridge on Lugu Lake is called the Grass Sea by locals, because it looks like a sea of reeds looking from a distance.

Grass Sea

Grass Sea

We visited a Mosuo village to witness their traditional building and learn something about their Matriarchal society. We saw processed whole pigs in a pile at the stair case and witnessed the demonstration of their ‘walking marriage’.

After lunch, driven back to Lijiang. I had to say goodbye to this beautiful Lake.

Day 5 Lijiang Departure

My vocation was end but the beautiful scenery and wonderful experience still remained in mind. Don’t miss Lijiang, if you have a chance to travel China. Highly recommend!

Want to discover more in Lijiang or interested in Lijiang tour when you travel in China? You can contact our experienced travel expert Catherine to get more details and advice.

>> 3 Days Classic Lijiang Tour

>> 4 Days Lijiang Cultural & Natural Tour

>> 6 Days Kunming, Dali & Lijiang Essence Tour

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