The Giant Water Wheels in Lijiang Old Town

Chinese Name:丽江古城大水车
English Name: The Giant Water Wheels in Lijiang Old Town

About Giant Water Wheels in Lijiang Old Town

The two Giant Water Wheels is the landmark of Lijiang Old Town. Water Wheel, also called Kongming Wheel, is the most ancient irrigation tool in China. It is not only an excellent laboring skill created by the ancestors in the process of conquering the world but also a rare historical and cultural relic. It is said that during Emperor Ling of Han Dynasty Hua Lan created the embryonic form of the water wheel and improved by Kong Ming of the Three Kingdoms Period. During the Sui and Tang Dynasty, the water wheel was widely used to agricultural irrigation. Until today, it has a long history of more than 1700 years. However, the Giant Water Wheels in Lijiang Ancient Town are just functioned as a landmark with ornamental value.

Giant Water Wheels in Lijiang Old Town

About Water Wheel:

The Giant Water Wheels in Lijiang Old Town

A water wheel is a machine for converting the energy of free-flowing or falling water into useful forms of power, often in a watermill. A water wheel consists of a large wooden or metal wheel, with a number of blades or buckets arranged on the outside rim forming the driving surface. Most commonly, the wheel is mounted vertically on a horizontal axle, but the tub or Norse wheel is mounted horizontally on a vertical shaft. Vertical wheels can transmit power either through the axle or via a ring gear and typically drive belts or gears; horizontal wheels usually directly drive their load. 

Distances from Other Scenic Spots in Lijiang Old Town:

•Square Market:about 1 kilometer

Mu’s Residence:about 0.7 kilometer

‣‣‣ Lijiang Travel Guide

‣‣‣ Tours including Lijiang Old Town

• 1 Day Lijiang City Highlights Group Tour

• 4 Days Lijiang City Tour with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge

• 5 Days Lijiang City Tour with Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Adventure

Attraction Transportation:

Kunming – Lijiang:

•By Bus: you can take the long-distance bus in Kunming West Bus Station. It costs CNY 188/217 per person and takes 7 to 9 hours. The first bus departs at 8:50 and the last departs at 20:30.

•By Train: It takes 7 to 9.5 hours from Kunming Railway Station to Lijiang Railway Station by train. The price for hard seat is CNY 90, hard sleeper is CNY 142/148/153 and soft sleeper is CNY 218/227. Then you can take the bus No.16 to get off at Qixing Street Station, or No. 18 to White Dragon Square Station. It is also convenient to spend CNY 40 to get to Lijiang Old Town by taxi.

•By Air: It takes 1 hour from Kunming Changshui Airport to Lijiang Sanyi Airport. Then you can take airport shuttle bus to reach Lantian Hotel in the downtown area, CNY 20 per person and lasting 30 minutes. And you have to walk about 1 kilometer to reach. Or you can take bus No.8/11/16 to get off at Qixing Street Station.

Dali– Lijiang:

•By Bus: you can take bus from Tourist Bus Station near the South Gate of Dali Ancient Town from 07:50 to 17:00, CNY 62/75/83 per person and lasting 2 to 4 hours. Then you can take bus No.8/11/16 to Qixing Street Station in Lijiang Express Bus Station. If you take bus from Dali North Bus Station, you can take bus No.8/11 to Qixing Street Station in Lijiang Transport Service Center Bus Station.

•By Train: It takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours from Dali Railway Station to Lijiang by train. The price for hard seat is CNY 34, hard sleeper is CNY 39.5 and soft sleeper is CNY 104.5.

Urban transportation:

You can take bus No.2/13 to Parking Lot Station of Old Town, or take bus No.7 to Department Store Station then walk into the old town from the north gate. And you can take bus No.2/3/12 to South Gate Street Station and walk into the old town from the south gate.

Recommended Accommodation

1.Inter Continental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort(丽江和府洲际度假酒店)

Located in the southern of Lijiang Old Town, the InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort is the international five-star conference and resort which combines modern luxury, traditional Naxi architectural, and the local representative landscape. Hotel has 274 spacious rooms and suites, 4 restaurants and bars, Spa and Fitness center. It is a 10-minute walk from Sifangjie (Market Square), a 30-minute drive from Lijiang Airport.

2.Hotel Indigo Lijiang Ancient Town(丽江古城英迪格酒店)

Hotel Indigo Lijiang Ancient Town is located in Lijiang Ancient Town. It features a wellness center, an indoor pool and a fitness center. The luxurious rooms offer free wired internet. At Hotel Indigo Lijiang Ancient Town you will find a la carte restaurant and buffet restaurant. Breakfast can be served in the comforts of guests’ rooms. 

3.Lijiang Wangfu Hotel(丽江王府饭店)

Lijiang Wangfu Hotel is located in the South Gate Square in Old Town. Featuring colorful traditional Chinese architecture and décor, it offers rooms with flat-screen TVs and free internet. Guest can enjoy Naxi bonfire party every Friday. The hotel provides car rental and concierge services. A tour desk can help with travel and sightseeing arrangements.

4.Manty House(漫庭美宿酒店)

Situated in Lijiang, this inn is within a 15-minute walk of Mu Family Mansion, Dayan and Wang Gu Lou. It features a restaurant, a bar/lounge and coffee/tea in a common area. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include dry cleaning, a 24-hour front desk and tour/ticket assistance.

5.Lijiang International Hotel(丽江国际大酒店)

Lijiang International Hotel is located in Lijiang, 400 m from Wangu Pavilion and 600 m from Square Street Dayan Ancient Town. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and is fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. You will find a coffee machine in the room. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes and slippers.

The Giant Water Wheels in Lijiang Old Town

Useful Tips

1. About Maintenance Fee

When visiting some places in Lijiang, travelers should show the staff the Maintenance tickets. Those places include Lijiang Old Town, Wangu Tower, Mu’s Residence, Shuhe Old Town, Baisha Mural Painting, Black Dragon Pool Park, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, etc. This ticket is valid for a week when you are in Lijiang.

2. Evening Show – “Naxi Ancient Music”

Show Time: 20:00~21:30

Place: Naxi Concert Hall

Naxi Ancient Music is known as a “living fossil of Chinese music”. According to research, this ancient music originated in the 14th century. It originally included three parts, ‘Baisha Fine Music’ (Baisha Xiyue), ‘Dongjing Music’ (Dongjing Yinyue), and ‘Huangjing Music’ (Huangjing Yinyue), however, the last one has long been lost in the river of time. To know more about Naxi, you can spend one night enjoying Naxi ancient music.

3. Naxi Festivals held in Lijiang Old Town

Bangbang Festival: January 15 on lunar calendar

Sanduo Festival: February 8 on lunar calendar

Torch Festival: June 25 to June 27 on lunar calendar

July Festival: middle July on lunar calendar

4. Specialty in Lijiang Old Town

In Lijiang Old Town, travelers can taste the local Naxi snacks, like Salad of Jidou Pea Jelly, Lijiang Baba, Mabu, Preserved Fruit, Buttered Tea, Er Kuai, December Ribs, Naxi Copper Pot, etc.

5. What to Pack

Travel light when strolling in the old town. Bring a camera with you that you can take photos along the way. Sunlight is very strong in Lijiang, wear sun protection such as hats, sunglasses and use sun block, etc.