Located at the strategic Southern Gate of the Tea Horse Caravan Trail, the Hotel Indigo® Lijiang Ancient Town hotel merges caravan culture and local folklore in our décor and design. Our guest rooms feature signature artwork and creative details, from a horse-silhouette closet to breathtaking murals of the nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, alongside modern comforts that showcase how the past and present coexist here. Our Charm restaurant appears to sit between snow-capped mountains; here, our chef crafts authentic dishes reflecting Naxi traditions. “Me Space,” with its giant copper birdcage and stools made of original horse saddles, is the perfect place to converse with friends, or for a quieter vibe, experience a traditional tea ceremony at our Tea House. Our event space hosts business or social gatherings, and our friendly team delivers personalized service and hospitality to every guest.
Imagine setting foot in a place of history, on what was once called the Tea-Horse Caravan Trail. From the sixth century, this network of trading routes across the Yunnan was used to transport everything from tea leaves to medicine to silk. The trail carved a majestic path from Lijiang through Yulong Mountain, a sacred place for the native Naxi people, onward to Tibet and western Asia. To survive the beautiful, yet perilous journey, people from differing backgrounds had to work together and exchange their knowledge. Our neighborhood is born from this exotic, caravan way of life, one steeped in traditions of tenacity and courage born from sharing stories and tea around the campfire.
Tucked away along the colorful commercial street shops is the "RenHeChang," the largest ancient caravan-trading firm. Now it's just a quiet little courtyard, but decades ago it was perpetually busy. This is the place where different merchants would bargain tea stocks and patiently negotiate the best deal to transport them along the Tea-Horse Caravan Trail.
Hosting more than 1000 years of history, you can explore the heritage trail where you will learn facts like why Tibetans were such tea lovers or how a single Buddhist statue can actually symbolize four different religious beliefs. Located by the old town of Shuhe, it also shelters the heritage of many craftsmanship disciplines for Lijiang.
With their exquisite strokes and charming colored pastels, these historic paintings are recognized throughout the world as genuine cultural gems. The Naxis are wise people, and their interpretations of art and calligraphy are overwhelmingly imaginative. Their art works showcase years and years of civilization and beliefs, and viewing one will touch your heart.
Where a caravan passes, a road is made. Lijiang was born from these trails scattering along mountain cliffs. Just follow them and you can get to the famous Sifang Street, an open plaza for caravaneer and trading exchange.
At the bottom of the Yulong Mountain, this show re-enacts the historic story of Lijiang, the Naxi and the Tea-Horse Road. Performed four times a day without interruption, it can accommodate more than 3,000 spectators and involves more than 500 performers, all from local minorities. Many say this vision of Lijiang will move you to tears.
This street snack is a flaky pancake made from a simple dough of flour and spring water, simmered in oil. There is a savory version that is stuffed with ham and scallions or, for dessert, topped with sugar.
Host your next seminar or stage the latest product launch in our exquisitely designed function spaces. Our creative interior design provides a different perspective for a great meeting with inspiring ideas.