Old Town of Lijiang hosts chrysanthemum show until 30 October
Published on 10/11/2026 at 03:04 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSKey points in brief
- Old Town of Lijiang is hosting a chrysanthemum and arts programme from 21 September to 30 October 2026.
- The programme includes chrysanthemum displays, calligraphy, painting and photography exhibitions across the historic town.
- The Old Town of Lijiang was founded during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties and has stood for about 800 years.
Old Town of Lijiang is hosting a chrysanthemum and arts programme in Lijiang, China, from 21 September to 30 October 2026. The programme covers the scenic area itself, including flower displays in community courtyards and exhibitions of calligraphy, painting and photography.
Old Town of Lijiang hosts autumn programme until 30 October
The programme was announced for the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day period. Its central element is a chrysanthemum festival, accompanied by autumn displays in courtyards and public exhibitions. The official visitor information describes the event period as 21 September to 30 October 2026 and names Old Town of Lijiang as the venue in its official programme notice.
The same programme lists activities at several recognisable points in the historic area. Sifang Street hosted Mid-Autumn activities on 23 to 25 September, while a water-release street-washing ceremony was scheduled there for 29 September. During the National Day holiday, the programme included ethnic dancing at Yuhe Square, folk music at Yinyuxiang Lane, heritage song and dance at Sifang Street, and a bonfire dance there from 1 to 7 October.
Chrysanthemum displays meet an 800-year-old water town
The programme changes what visitors find in the lanes without changing the historic structure around them. The town was founded during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties and has stood for about 800 years, according to a China Daily account of its history.
Waterways run through the settlement and branch around houses, lanes and markets. More than 350 stone and wood bridges link courtyards with winding alleys, while Sifang Square remains associated with the release of water from the Yuhe River. That connection gives the 2026 programme a specific setting: flower displays and cultural performances are placed within a living water-town community rather than a stand-alone exhibition hall.
Events at Sifang Street connect music and heritage
The National Day schedule also names a Leba dance performance at the Wenchang Palace viewing platform on 2, 5 and 7 October. A Naxi ancient music performance was listed for Maicao Field on 5 October, followed by a live Naxi lifestyle performance at Guangyi Sanyanjing on 7 October.
These dates place the programme across the town's squares, lanes and courtyards. The event therefore offers a changing cultural itinerary during October, while the chrysanthemum displays and exhibitions continue through 30 October 2026.
Visiting Old Town of Lijiang: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The programme runs from 21 September to 30 October 2026 at Old Town of Lijiang, with flower, calligraphy, painting and photography activities.
- The listed programme is spread through the scenic area, including Sifang Street, Yuhe Square, Yinyuxiang Lane, Maicao Field and Guangyi Sanyanjing.
- The historic area contains stone-paved lanes, waterways and more than 350 stone and wood bridges, so visitors should expect uneven walking surfaces and frequent changes of level.
- Old Town of Lijiang is in Lijiang, Yunnan province, in south-western China. The official language is Chinese, and the national currency is the 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 Old Town of Lijiang on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about Old Town of Lijiang
When does the chrysanthemum programme take place at Old Town of Lijiang?
The programme runs from 21 September to 30 October 2026, with chrysanthemum displays and cultural exhibitions across the scenic area.
What is Old Town of Lijiang?
It is a historic water-town settlement in Lijiang, China, founded during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties and standing for about 800 years.
Where is Old Town of Lijiang and how do you get there?
Old Town of Lijiang is in Lijiang, Yunnan province, in south-western China. The programme notice identifies the scenic area and its internal venues, including Sifang Street and Yuhe Square.
