Lijiang
From World travel guide
Lijiang (麗江) is a small city in Yunnan, China.
Contents |
Understand
In 1996 a huge earthquake leveled most of the city. The government decided to rebuild a 'replica-town' on the foundations of the original. This part of the city (the 'old town') is almost disneyfied, with 'local dancing' going on in the large square and hoards of baseball cap wearing chinese tour groups flooding the narrow streets. Most of the main streets in the old town are lined with tourist shops selling trinkets.
Despite all that, some parts of the back streets of the old town do have a charm of their own: Away from the tour groups and tourist stress. Also Lijiang provides a very useful base for exploring the rest of Yunnan.
Get in
The bus station is just beside the south end of the old town, so, unless you're planning on staying in the rest of town, a taxi is not necessary.
The airport is about 15 miles from the city, and a (expensive 15Y, 2005 price) bus is provided by the airport booking office. It leaves about 90 minutes before the flights (there are usually only about a dozen or so flights a day).
Get around
Walking is the only option in the old town, while taxis are often the easiest way around the rest of town (cost: 7 Yuan, 2005 price).
See
- Old Town
Do
Buy
Loads of tourist shops available in old town. Probably over priced.
Eat
- Prague Cafe, (From main square take Easterly road, over a bridge, on the left(?)), the food's good and fairly reasonably priced (for the touristy area it's in) and it has a friendly atmosphere, but the drinks are expensive. Especially green tea! (10Y/cup!!!)
Drink
Sleep
Often the easiest way here is just to chose from the offers given at the bus station, and follow the woman who has the best offer. Trying to find a hostel from a guide book through the old town is nigh on impossible.
- Old Cattle ??? Hotel, Address? (From bus station take road opposite (on cross roads), turn left up stone-paved road beside a stone stream, take a left at the top, you'll be in the old town. The hotel will be on the left. Several other hotels along here). Inside a traditional courtyard building. A bit cold in the rooms in winter, but have lots of bed covers. 50 Yuan for a double with ensuite (2005 price).
Get out
Heading North to Zhongdian (using a bus from the bus station) is often a good move. Zhongdian again isn't a great town but it gets you to within striking distance of Deqin and other Tibetan towns.
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