Tips for traveling Lijiang in winter

It's been a cold winter, so for anybody looking to travel during Spring Festival, Lijiang is sure to be an attractive destination.

Lijiang lies on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and has a typical plateau climate – warm in winter and cool in summer. The average temperature during winter ranges from -5 C to 15 C. It has a relatively low altitude and dry air. Its moderate climate makes it a good place to escape the cold winter weather.

Here are five tips for traveling in Lijiang during winter:

1. Sunny days are very common in Lijiang during winter. However, visitors should note that the temperature difference between day and night is quite sharp.

Bring coats and jackets when visiting the city. People wear thick coats and down jackets in the early morning and evening, in both winter and summer. At noon, however, it is usually quite sunny and guests can generally wear T-shirts. In short, be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes to avoid getting a cold.

2. Be sure to visit Yulong Snow Mountain, as it is breathtakingly beautiful in winter. The admission fee is 80 yuan ($12.86) per ticket, and another 80 yuan for the old town maintenance toll. It's open from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, and the cableway runs from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Don't miss it!

The Yulong Snow Mountain attracts many visitors in winter. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

3. The Sanduo Festival is a great opportunity to experience local culture and customs. It begins every Feb 8 on the lunar calendar, and lasts for at least a week. The festival honors the Naxi patron saint Sanduo, who is believed to be the embodiment of the Yulong Snow Mountains.

Winter in the beautiful Old Town of Lijiang. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

4. The Old Town of Lijiang is definitely worth a visit. It has no city walls, and local people like to leisurely stroll along the blue cobblestone paths and enjoy the sunshine and beautiful scenery. There are 354 bridges crossing the rivers and creeks in the area.

5. If you go during the Spring Festival holiday, be sure to reserve hotels in advance.

To celebrate the Sanduo Festival, Naxi people dress in traditional costume, wrapped in sheep skin ornamented with seven round embroidered discs, which represent seven stars. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]