Lijiang
 

We are thinking of going to Lijiang from HK for Easter. Any suggestions/feedback/recos re transportation/hotels/restaurants/must dos would be welcome! Thanks!

I love Lijiang & have been there several times. I like the Grand Hotel, it overlooks the old town & is Thai owned. Its a good base to walk around the town, go to the small theatres etc.
Around from Lijiang a trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is wonderful - I would think the meadows here may have lots of flowers at this time (I have only been there at colder times). The Naxi way of life (& writing ysytem is interesting to read about)- just wandering throught the town you come across many different minority people (especially in the market area).
It is a very touristy place though too - with coach loads of people arriving (Chinese people mainly) & of course the ambience can be spoilt by the load speakers of their tour guides. It is quieter in the evening with less people - & a place that I like at any time!
Lots of restaurants - a lot with western food too. Soem nice little places at the riverside in the Centre & a lovely area near there where people come out to dance in the evening -not a "staged dance" for tourists, local people coming together.

Sorry, I forgot to add, on hotels, some people may think the Grand Hotel a bit bland. It doesn't have the character of some of the small hotels that in the "old town". I love the old town - but am happy with the Grand, its well kept, with good clean rooms & nice service.

Hi Hobbes:

We travelled to this area of Yunnan last May. We also loved Lijiang and found lots of interesting things to see and do there.
We stayed in the town twice.. once just on one of the main roads out of the old city. The Chinese name is the Shi Li Hotel ,in English it is called the Shiner Hotel. It was ok as I remember and nothing bad to report except maybe bland. A few minutes in a taxi or a 20 minute walk would take you to the old town. On our second stop we stayed at the Lijiang Jian Nan Chun Hotel right in the old town. We really liked this place. Just one note, make sure they don't put you in one of the dingy rooms with a window the size of a postage stamp and so high up it was useless. We were given this type of room at first but were graciously offered another when we expressed concerns. The hotel is built in the old local style with the rooms around a courtyard. We walked out the door into the warren of streets and shopped and wandered to our hearts content til late evening.
Just one note, if you have time (and maybe you don't if you only have Easter Weekend) try your hardest to take the trip up to Lake Lugu. It's at least a two day trip, a six hour drive up and back through spectacular mountain roads. They are hairy in spots but the sights on the way and in Lake Lugu will remain imprinted on my mind forever. You need to hire a driver at least to get you through the trip but look for someone who has experience with driving the road. The civilization around the Lake is awesome. A matriarchal society (almost) completely intact.
Enjoy your time in Lijiang. I am sure you will love it.

Thanks Jane and Keldar. i am a little concerned about beng there in the midst of hordes of tourists on easter weekend but do not know if we will have time to do it some other time. I read about the Moon Inn gyest house - does anyone know it?

Hi Hobbes:

If you are concerned about the tourists being there FOR easter then rest assured the tourists won't be there for that. It isn't celebrated in this part of China. If there are tourists there it will be the norm. We spent the week of the May holiday there which is a major travel time all around China, and while it was busy it wasn't oppressively so.
Sorry, I don't know the Guest House you mention.
regards,

I don't know this guest house - but this link is interesting
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...nablog24a.html

Guesthouse with very good recommendations:

Moon Inn, Lijiang, China

Booking: +86-888-5180520
or +86-888-6661073
Email: [email protected]
Webb-page with photos:
http://mooninnlijiang.spaces.live.com/