China Day 4 - The National Road from Dali to Lijiang

So far the journey in China was as expected. I had a little new adventure in Jinghong with the night market, a new town in Jinggu but Dali and Lijiang was repeated visit before the year before. 

Granted that I had very little time in Dali and Lijiang prior and could have explored much more, hence this time it was a chance for me to really slow down and be in the moment.

While everyone push off early morning for Lijiang, Cameron and Me lingered on, going for breakfast and coffee at McDonald observing the morning ritual of the locals opening their shops and busking around before the tourist flocks in. 

The View from National Road G348 from Dali to Lijiang

While we did not push off early morning, we did leave by 930am which was fairly good time to reach Lijiang since it was only 200km away.

I opted for the National Road skipping the highway altogether. Later I would understand that everyone else followed Nick via the highway so only Cameron and me had this different route experience. 

National Road was free and if you have read my blog post for last year, I only managed to do the first 50% of this route and that was also by fate that the police turn us away from the highway.

Lunch Stop along National Road G348

Entering Lijiang Ancient City

The initial part of the National road was as I remembered. Very scenic and beautiful climbing up the mountains all the way to approximately 3000m elevation. We could see the highway running way below on the opposite side of the valley. 

The slow journey through national road was relaxing without having to rush to Lijiang. The second part after going down the mountain pass was not so scenic and I decided to detour into a town just for looks.

Walking around Lijiang Ancient City

Cosplay Photography is very Popular with Local Tourism in Lijiang

By the time we reached Lijiang, it was around 3pm so not much was really missed out. Exploring Lijiang during the day this time around and despite the horde of tourist plunging the streets, this little ancient city is still magical that I can only say it is special despite it being fully change for tourist business only.

Exploring Lijiang Ancient City

Shizi Mountain Scenic Area inside Lijiang Ancient City

Exploring while making a beeline for the Shizi Mountain Scenic Area inside the Ancient City. The Viewing deck gave a large overview of the Ancient Lijiang city which was further enclosed with the new modern Lijiang. 

Weather was cloudy so Jade Snow mountain peak was obscured from view. We lingered around the tower till closing just to capture the light up of the city at night.

Lijiang Ancient City surrounded by the modern Lijiang 

Traveled on: May 2024