Live Your Best Lives
Life may seem long, but in reality it's just a drop in the ocean. Some people are mediocre, while others are hurried.
The world is so big, why not go see it? Although there's only one path in life, travel enriches our experiences. The mountains we climb, the rivers we cross, the people we meet, the stories we hear, make us more respectful of nature and more passionate about life. I hope we can always maintain a curious and innocent heart and see the beauty of the world.
When I first arrived here
It was like being in God's palette
Everything around me was like a dream
Everywhere I looked, I saw golden colors
The sky faded with summer colors, and the leaves rustled with the sound of autumn. As summer's last note dragged on, autumn also took over.
The autumn air is crisp and clear, and you can touch the white clouds with your hands. This plateau city - Lijiang. There is always an indescribable charm that draws me in, making me linger.
Even in the ancient city in late autumn, the days are still warm and the nights are cold. Just step into the shade of the trees and you'll feel a hint of coolness in an instant.
I always remember that the so-called ancient city is Dayan Ancient Town, and Shuhe is Shuhe. Many years later, after traveling through many landscapes, when I returned to Lijiang, I found that what brought me back the most were not the bluestone alleys or the breathtaking climb to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, but the slightly scorching and bright sunshine.
Each guesthouse has its own unique charm, and you'll never get tired of staying in one. Some people who want to stay in Lijiang for a while choose to stay in an inn for a month, enjoying the leisurely and comfortable stay.
"Chu Su" is located on Dayan Street. The location is great and the proprietress is very welcoming.
The courtyard is full of flowers and plants, and there is a balcony with a fluttering gauze curtain on the roof, a swaying swing, and sunny weather. For me, it's enough. I haven't been to Lijiang for a long time. Not far from the inn is Fang Guoyu's former residence, and a few steps further is a cultural and creative goods store that offers express delivery and sells dream catchers, keychains, and other Lijiang-related trinkets. Whenever I pass by this place, I can't help but stop in for a quick look, even if I don't buy anything. During the day, it's a small, vintage-themed shop, but if you step inside and lift the curtain, you'll find a cafe and bar. Sometimes you'll see singers performing, but with a limited clientele, it's hidden away, seemingly waiting to be discovered.
Before leaving, I had considered that it was just a short trip for the weekend and I didn't want to rush to visit tourist attractions. Many of the regular attractions had been visited many years ago, so when we started to travel around the city in earnest the next day, we finally planned an atypical Lijiang tour route: drive wherever you want. If you like, you could also call it unlocking more unique ways to experience Lijiang.
Snow Mountain Road is a road in Lijiang with views of snow-capped mountains, running straight from the old town to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Cherry blossoms in spring, snow-capped mountains in all seasons, and along the way, you'll encounter forests, reeds, rivers, and other beautiful natural attractions.
This time, the most exciting thing wasn't the city, but the endless road.
At the halfway point of the road leading to the snowy mountains, there's an open space. In fact, if you drive in this direction, you'll easily find such a vast expanse. There might be a sign on the roadside advertising a wedding photography studio, but in reality, there are few people around, only the occasional car passing by.
Snow Mountain Road. Because of the snow-capped mountains, the entire journey felt like a scene. The ancient city no longer resembled an ancient city. As the forest landscape passed by, for a second I felt as if I were in the Canadian mountain jungle. A cool breeze brought the unique aroma of autumn pine. The phrase "wearing fragrance" couldn't be more appropriate for this place. The advantage of self-driving is that you can stop anywhere. This time, we stopped at the Dongba Valley Health and Wellness Town on the way to the snow-capped mountains. Parking is free inside, and there's plenty of space. There are also several RVs of various sizes, a large lawn, and a few people nearby. I loved it.
The snow-capped mountains so close, a belt of greenery in the distance, layer upon layer, forming a three-dimensional painting. It took me just over an hour to shoot, but it even felt longer than the wedding photos next to it. Later, when I looked for them again, I still effortlessly felt that this was the perfect spot for the day.
Actually, I won't tell you, but my battery died when I got here. We had no choice but to drive back, though I felt a surge of regret.
Seeing the starry sky in Lijiang isn't easy, so when we saw the Couple's Starry Sky RV in Dongba Valley Health Town, where you can gaze at the stars from your bed, we decided to stay there for a night without hesitation. The RV boasts a panoramic sunroof, a large, comfortable bed, a sofa, a TV, and air conditioning—it's every bit as comfortable as a five-star hotel. Tonight, we're here specifically to watch the stars. As night falls, it's the perfect time for stargazing. The only sounds around us are the unknown insects, making it feel like we've been transported back to our childhood.
It's been a while since I've seen such clear stars, too numerous to count. Lying in bed, I couldn't feel the cold. I think this was the most unexpected surprise and gain of this trip to Lijiang.
Apart from Wangu Tower, Wenchang Palace is the second place in the ancient city where you can see a panoramic view of Lijiang. Walking along Sifang Street and down a narrow path, we arrived breathlessly.
The Qing Dynasty buildings are indeed quaint, and the Naxi characters on both sides of the road add some ethnic characteristics. Along the way, we are greeted by Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is said to be the main filming location of "One Meter of Sunshine".
The small square at the entrance offers a panoramic view. The neatly arranged rooftops, the morning light, and the sweeping panorama of the ancient city are as beautiful as the first sight.
Qingxi Reservoir is probably where teenagers go for a stroll after school. Across the lake lies Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and it serves as Lijiang's drinking water source. The crystal-clear water reflects the surrounding mountains and green grass, offering a particularly expansive view.
Xinyue told us that when she was studying in Lijiang, she could come here for a stroll after school and never appreciated its beauty. But after leaving Lijiang, she kept missing the sunshine and fresh air, and then she returned to become a Lijiang local.
The reservoir is not far from the ancient city, and along the way, you can see snow-capped mountains shrouded in white clouds from afar. The theme of this day was probably "How to take 360-degree panoramic photos of the snow-capped mountains."
End
In conclusion: In Lijiang, you should waste time, stroll along the sun-drenched paths, gaze at the snow-capped mountains at the first rays of the morning sun, and stroll hand in hand by the lake at dusk...
Number of days：9 days, Average cost: 5,000 yuan, Updated: 2020.09.06
Number of days: 2 days, Average cost: 1000 yuan, Updated: 2021.04.27
Number of days：6 days, Average cost: 4800 yuan, Updated: 2024.03.07
Number of days: 5 days, Average cost: 6800 yuan, Updated: 2020-12-30 13:09
Number of days：6 days, Average cost: 2000 yuan, Updated: 2025.05.10
Number of days: 4 days, , Updated: 2025.04.10
