Lijiang Gucheng and its water-woven Naxi old town
Published on 08/20/2026 at 18:30 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Lijiang Gucheng is the Old Town of Lijiang in Yunnan, southwest China, a historic Naxi settlement set on a mountain plain crossed by clear canals. At around 2,400 m (7,874 ft) above sea level, the town spreads across gently sloping ground at the foot of higher peaks and forms the historic centre of the wider Lijiang area.The Old Town of Lijiang stands on the Lijiang plain
A highland town of Naxi timber houses and canals
Lijiang Gucheng is closely associated with the Naxi ethnic group, whose culture and language give the streets and courtyard houses a distinct character.Lijiang Old Town is described as an ancient town for the Naxi ethnic group Many traditional houses are low timber structures with tiled roofs and inner courtyards, standing shoulder to shoulder along narrow stone lanes.
Channels of running water branch through the town, fed from springs and streams above the settlement, and stone paths cross them at frequent intervals. A historic water-supply system divides the flow into smaller channels that reach different neighbourhoods and courtyards, and it continues to shape how streets and houses line up with one another.The Old Town of Lijiang retains an ancient water-supply system
From Dayan to a World Heritage old town
The main historic quarter of Lijiang Gucheng is also known as Dayan, a name used for the town that developed as a trading and administrative centre in Yunnan.Dayan, commonly called the Old Town of Lijiang, forms the historical centre of Lijiang City The layout of streets and canals reflects growing trade routes over several dynasties, including connections to caravan routes such as the Tea Horse Road across southwest China.
In December 1997, the Old Town of Lijiang was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural value, including its townscape and water system.The Old Town of Lijiang was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997 The World Heritage property covers Dayan itself and extends north to the historic settlements of Baisha and Shuhe, which share similar Naxi architectural traditions and long-standing links with the old town.The Old Town of Lijiang comprises Dayan, Baisha and Shuhe
Streets, squares and the surrounding landscape
At the centre of Lijiang Gucheng, a main square known as Sifang Street forms a small open space where several streets meet, with lanes leading away between two-storey timber buildings.The centre of the Old Town is the Square Street, or Sifangjie From there, stone-paved streets extend towards different quarters, linked by smaller alleys that break into the grid and connect to flights of steps and canal-side paths.
The old town occupies part of a basin ringed by mountains, and the nearby peaks of northwest Yunnan rise above the tiled roofs when the sky is clear.Lijiang Old Town lies in the Lijiang basin of Yunnan Province Within walking distance of the historic streets, Black Dragon Pool forms a landscaped park with pavilions and views back towards the town and the surrounding hills, linking water, architecture and the highland setting.
Visiting Lijiang Gucheng: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Lijiang Gucheng lies within Gucheng District of Lijiang City in Yunnan, southwest China, and is reached by road from Lijiang’s transport hubs.Lijiang Old Town stands in Gucheng District of Lijiang
- The streets of the old town are paved with stone and include stepped alleys and uneven surfaces, and vehicles remain outside the historic core.
- The official language is Chinese and the currency is the renminbi (yuan).
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Lijiang Gucheng on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about Lijiang Gucheng
Where is Lijiang Gucheng?
Lijiang Gucheng is the historic Old Town of Lijiang in Yunnan Province, southwest China, lying on a high plain surrounded by mountains.Lijiang stands in Yunnan in southwest China
What can visitors expect when walking through the old town?
Visitors find stone-paved lanes, timber courtyard houses and canals of clear water running between neighbourhoods and small squares such as Sifang Street.
What makes Lijiang Gucheng distinctive among historic towns?
Lijiang Gucheng combines Naxi courtyard architecture with a functioning historic water-supply system and a highland setting recognised through its UNESCO World Heritage inscription in 1997.
