Lijiang, nestled in China’s Yunnan Province, is a city renowned for its well-preserved old town, winding cobblestone streets, and traditional Naxi culture. Surrounded by stunning mountains and scenic rivers, it has long been a favourite destination for travellers seeking a mix of history, culture, and natural beauty.

One of the city’s most vibrant cultural events is the Naxi Torch Festival, an annual celebration held during the summer months. The festival is deeply rooted in Naxi tradition, originally intended to pray for a good harvest and ward off evil spirits. Streets and squares come alive with huge torches, lanterns, and bonfires, while locals perform traditional dances, music, and rituals that have been passed down for generations.

For visitors, the Torch Festival is a spectacular spectacle of colour, sound, and energy. Watching the flames light up the night sky, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums and the elegant movements of dancers in traditional Naxi attire, offers a truly immersive experience. It’s also a chance to witness the strong sense of community and cultural pride that continues to define Lijiang’s people.

Beyond the festival, Lijiang itself is a delight to explore. The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is crisscrossed with canals and stone bridges, lined with wooden houses and quaint shops. Whether wandering through its streets or attending the Torch Festival, visitors are treated to a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and living tradition that makes Lijiang a memorable destination.

Trip date

July 2011

Where we stayed

Enjoy Inn Hostel, No.39 Bayi Lower Section, Qiyi Street, Dayan, Gucheng District, Lijiang 674100, China

What we saw and did

Imagine the health and safety furore if we left unattended fires lit on the street in the UK or anywhere else in the Western world for that matter.

I do wonder sometimes if we are far too mollycoddled in the West.

Sometimes you just have to rely on good old-fashioned common sense. As far as I know, no houses burnt down while we were there.

Lijiang is a fantastic place to wander around at any time night or day.

Lijiang was absolutely packed. Obviously the ‘Naxi Torch Festival’ was a big puller but our trip also coincided with the Chinese holiday season.

It’s actually quite a magical place to visit.

The weather wasn’t great when we were there and it was still incredibly humid. It didn’t detract from our enjoyment though.

Black Dragon Pool Park. There are lots of nice outdoor spaces to visit in Lijiang.

I think it’s fair to say I didn’t really fancy anything on the menu, apart from the bacon; but I couldn’t guarantee it was actually from a pig.

It was probably tiger bacon. Apart from a table, the Chinese will generally eat anything with legs (sweeping generalisation there).

It’s a proven scientific fact that when you’re travelling it’s physically impossible to escape Bob Marley and reggae music.

Street food is very cheap and readily available. I do love a bit of corn on the cob, especially when it’s barbecued and massive.

Our take on the Chinese love of posing in daft ways for photographs.

If you are heading off to China try and include a visit to Lijiang if you can (I appreciate China is a massive country). It’s really easy to stick to the beaten path but very often you’ll find that some of your most memorable travel experiences will be had when going to the places that tourists don’t go to.