Inns in Lijiang

Lijiang is famous for its inns, which are said to be the soul of the city. These inns carry elements and stories of Lijiang's past. Living at local inn is an important part of experiencing the city.

There are thousands of inns, with prices ranging from less than 100 yuan ($16) to several thousand. Booking ahead is suggested. Visitors can book inns at Taobao.com or from various group-buying websites. For those arriving at night, hotels offer pick-up services at the train station or airport for additional costs. Some inns will offer free delivery services, but usually the cost is included in the room charge.

Lijiang tourism peaks for winter and summer vacations as well as major holidays. Don't bother complaining about hikes in room charge, because it's the case throughout the city and other tourism cities. Booking ahead is strongly recommended during busy season. Don't be fooled by cheap inns. They might be situated in a remote area, or have poor facilities and bad hygienic conditions.

As for the locations of the inns, those sitting in the juncture between the old and new cities enjoy convenient transportation options. Those near the old city will have ethnic Naxi elements and are much cheaper than those in the new city.

Inns along Sifang Street are ideal for those who like noisy environments as they are mostly close to bars. Inns on Lion Mountain offer a good view of the ancient city and guests can experience the sunrise in their rooms, but have more trouble when it comes to transportation. Inns on Wuyi Street enjoy a convenient transportation system and are close to many quiet bars and small distinctive shops. Inns near Qiyi Street and Mufu also offer a serene environment. Inns in Shuhe ancient town, six kilometers from Dayan ancient town, are considered to be the most ideal for staying, thanks to the primitive simplicity of the neighborhood.