Lijiang Day Tour by World’s First Panoramic Sightseeing Train

Lijiang is already a beloved destination for many travelers, but there’s exciting news for those who have visited before: it’s worth going again! The world’s first panoramic sightseeing train will soon open, offering a new and captivating way to experience Lijiang.

Traveling by train offers a unique perspective. Imagine sipping afternoon tea while gazing out of large windows at the breathtaking scenery of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain unfolding before your eyes. This train in Lijiang features nearly 2-meter ultra-high windows, making it the world’s most beautiful panoramic mountain tourist train. It promises to exceed all expectations for a perfect train journey.

Basic Facts of the Sightseeing Train
► Route: Lijiang Old Town → Baisha Ancient Town → Yushui Village → Dongba Valley → Ganhaizi Meadow → Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
► Length: 20.5 km (12.7 mi)
► Speed: Maximum operating speed of 70 km (43 mi) per hour
► Maximum Capacity: 351 passengers
► Cost: CNY 3.075 billion
► Opening Date: End of 2022

The train will be put into service in the second half of 2022 as Line 1 of Lijiang Rail Transit Network. It starts from Lijiang Old Town Tourist Center in the south and reaches the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the north. It will provide a brand-new solution for Lijiang transport and bring passengers an extraordinary experience of passing through picturesque canyons, meadows, ancient towns, alpine lakes and towering snow mountains.

Exterior and Interior Facilities of the Sightseeing Train
Looking from the outside, the body of the tourist train is mainly blue. Its design is inspired by the unique crystal clear Blue Moon Lake at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The front window of the train is designed with super-large curved surface. The side windows are 1.9 meters (6.2 feet) high, while the roof adopts curved transparent glass, which makes the carriages open and bright, and ensures wide views for passengers.

Most unusual of all, the big viewing side windows allow electric dimming, which adjusts the color of the glass according to the intensity of sunlight outside. With this function, passengers can protect themselves well from excessive sunlight while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

The interior of the train is decorated with Lijiang Dongba script and Naxi art patterns, so you can feel the strong local culture when boarding. There are three spacious and comfortable seats in a row inside the compartment. Sit down and you’ll have a truly great experience of getting close to nature as the train goes over the mountains.

Exceptional Scenery along the Track
This train route connects the most classic cultural and natural sights in Lijiang. At every stop, you can get the best shots of the scenery.

1. Lijiang Old Town
It is the core part of Lijiang’s World Cultural Heritage. Visit the Mu’s Residence in the old town, stroll along the bustling Sifang Street, and watch the performances of the local Naxi people, and you will learn about the former glory of this once important town on the Ancient Tea-horse Road. Climbing up the Lion Mountain, a panoramic view of the old town will impress you. In the evening, you can have a drink in the bar street to enjoy Lijiang’s lively nightlife.
► Best Things to See: Big Waterwheel, Sifang Street, Mu’s Residence, Lion Mountain, Wuyi Street, Bar Street, Zhongyi Market…
► Opening Hours: The town opens all day long, while some of the attractions inside are open from about 8:30 to 18:00.
► Recommended Time for a Visit: one day
► Ticket Price: CNY 50 for the Old Town Maintenance Fee; CNY 40 for Mu’s Residence; CNY 35 for Lion Mountain

2. Baisha Ancient Town
It is less known than the Lijiang Old Town, and more quiet and primitive. With a history of more than 800 years, this ancient town retains the heritage of the Naxi ethnic group, as evidenced by the famous Baisha Murals created between the 14th and 17th centuries, which you should not miss. After visiting the ancient relics, you can bask in the sun in an outdoor cafe and look up at the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
► Best Things to See: Baisha Murals, Sifang Street, Dading Hall, Dabaoji Palace, Wenchang Palace, Liuli Palace, Jingang Palace…
► Opening Hours: The town opens all day long; 8:00 to 17:30 for Baisha Murals
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 hours
► Ticket Price: Free for the town; CNY 30 for Baisha Murals

3. Yushui Village
This village at the southern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is rarely visited. It is a holy land for the inheritance of Dongba culture and a base for the Baisha Music and Leba Dance. Here, you can see the Sacred Dragon Three-level Waterfalls. In the water there is a golden statue of a human with a snake’s tail, who is the god of nature in the heart of the local Naxi people. It shows the harmony between man and nature, which is the simple doctrine of Dongba religion.
► Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 to 2 hours
► Ticket Price: CNY 50; or you can buy the combo ticket of the Great Jade Dragon Scenic Area costing CNY 204.

4. Dongba Valley
It is the on the way to enter the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. There are various kinds of waterfalls, stalactites, rare plants and birds in the valley. You can head to the Dongba Square and Craftsman’s Street if you are interested in Dongba culture, featuring the Dongba characters which boast the only extant hieroglyphs in the world.
► Opening Hours: 8:30-22:00
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 to 2 hours
► Ticket Price: CNY 30; or you can buy the combo ticket of the Great Jade Dragon Scenic Area costing CNY 204.

5. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
This is the northernmost big snow mountain in the northern hemisphere, and also a sacred mountain in the eyes of the local Naxi people. There are many amazing destinations hidden in the snow peaks and the valleys. The Glacier Park in the mountain contains the Quaternary glaciers and is covered by white snow all year round. You can take the Big Cableway to go up the mountain and hike to the top. Also, you can enjoy a variety of beautiful alpine meadows, pastures and lakes at the mountainside.
► Best Things to See: Glacier Park, Blue Moon Valley, Spruce Meadow, Yak Meadow, Ganhaizi Meadow, Performance of Impression Lijiang…
► Opening Hours: 8:00 – 18:30 (Ticketing stops at 16:30.)
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 day
► Ticket Price: CNY 100 for the mountain; CNY 180 for a round trip of the Big Cableway; CNY 20 for the sightseeing bus; CNY 204 for a combo ticket of the Great Jade Dragon Scenic Area.