Lijiang Travel Forum

My travel companion had enough of Fenghuang after spending a day there. IMHO Fenghuang feels like a slightly less-developed and less-touristy version of Lijiang, though not by much. Interested in hearing comments on that viewpoint.

Taking that into consideration, what would be the absolute least amount of time for us to spend at Lijiang? We want to see Impressions Lijiang, Xuan Ke's Naxi music concert, do a little bit of chilling out and hanging around in a nice cafe. Also want to see Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Not going to Tiger Leaping Gorge at all -- I've already been there 1 year ago.

Is Impressions Lijiang still held on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain?

3-4 days at least.

Hope it's not too late for you to read this.

IMHO, one day is more than sufficient for this place. LJ for me did not live up its reputation despite the UNESCO award hype. Even the trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain felt like a cookie-cutter tourist experience due to the madding crowds. The only saving grace was the additional trip to blue moon valley.

I did however, loved the Naxi Orchestra. The music pieces were stunning and haunting at times. The narration is done by a charming young girl instead of Xuan Ke and there seems more interaction with the audience than reported in the guide books. We hung out at Prague Cafe after that for their delicious home-made cakes and coffee after that.

Impressions Lijiang (not sure if that's the title) was still showing when I was there but I skipped it in favour of visiting the Blue Moon Valley ( Beautiful Cascading waterfalls at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain). See image over here->http://www.pbase.com/besati/image/90970834

Hope this helps.

G

Wow, your photos are amazing! Thanks for sharing. :)
How do you get to Blue Moon Valley, and how far is it from Lijiang? I tried searching (in Chinese too) and couldn't get much information.

Also, when did you visit Lijiang? Thanks again. :)

Well Jocelyn, I was in LJ very recently. Went up to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to have a white X'mas, lol.

Blue Moon Valley - It's at the base of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Your fee for the cable car would include a bus ride to this place. Bus departs at the same spot where you take the bus for the cable car. From the bus stop, it was a short 5min? ride to the Valley. You can wander around the valley yourself (recommended) or take the tram that's over there.

G

btw jocelyn, you give very good advice for travelling to china in the forums! I might consult you on future travels - i'm a s'porean expat living in hk right now so i'm keen to explore this region:)

Hope you don't mind,
G

Hmmm, which cable car? AFAIK there seem to be at least 2 or 3 on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain!
Is there any additional fee for visiting Blue Moon Valley?
Thanks for the compliments. :) Would you be going back to Singapore for Chinese New Year holidays?

Well, when I was there, the only viable one seems to be the huge cable car that goes to Ganhaizi, sadly the Yunshanping one broke down. It might be ok by the time you're there?

Anyway, before you take the cable car to GHZ, you'll first need to take a bus to the cable car station (that's also where you take the bus to blue moon valley). And vice versa, after the trip to GHZ, you alight from the cable car, take the bus back and take another to Blue Moon Valley.

Pls note that I failed to mention that the river that threads thru' Blue Moon Valley is commonly known as Baishui He. Believe there's some info on that in the web.

Yr question->The 160rmb that you paid for the cable car to GHZ would include the bus ride to baishuihe.

Btw, don't make the same mistake i did and buy the oxygen cannisters there. I got ripped off:(

G

Oh yeah, I'll be back in sgp for cny!

G

Thanks for the extra information. :)
Let me know if you'd like to meet up in Singapore then? Email me at ellyse99@yahoo.com and put "VirtualTourist" and your own username (eg bpacker) in the subject line.