Lijiang has always been a crossroads town where cultures mix and travelers rest and share tales before tackling the next leg of their journey. In days past, it was merchants trekking through the mountains on the old "Tea Horse Road"; today its tourists and travelers from all over China and around the world.

Clubs & Bars

With Old Town given over wholesale to the tourist industry, there are plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants where travelers can meet up, have a drink and enjoy the commodified quaintness of it all. A quick stroll down Xinhua Jie will turn up a number of options for a drink and some camaraderie. Indulge your international urges at the Frosty Morning English Bar and Restaurant, Le Petit Paris, Sakura or the Prague Café.

Performing Arts

Be sure to catch a performance of traditional Naxi music and dance at Dongba Palace or the Naxi Ancient Music Center. You can also head out to witness Lijiang Impressions at the base of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain for a contemporary take on Naxi Dongba culture (think sort of a Naxi Riverdance). And the Naxi aren't the only Chinese ethnic minority with a show in town—try the Mountain Spirit Show for a taste of Yi shamanism.

Museums & Galleries

For a more in-depth look at the area's history and people, visit one of the city's museums—the Visitor Center for Nature and Culture in Northwest Yunnan, the Dongba Research Institute Museum and the Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture are all excellent—and then head out of Linjiang into the countryside to visit some of the Tibetan monasteries and small towns, such as the popular Baisha.

Festivals & Events

Lijiang is home to a number of festivals, many of them specific to the Naxi people. Fifteen days into the Chinese New Year, the Bangbang Festival ("Stick Festival" or milazhi in the Naxi tongue) sees townspeople exchanging gifts and merchants from all over the region and as far away as Tibet bringing their best wares to town. The early spring Sanduo Festival is a joyous celebration of traditional music, dance and hotpot picnicking. The Naxi, Li and Mosuo peoples all hold traditional festivals and fairs throughout the year.