Lijiang (Yunnan Province) in December?

[mimi76]

We were thinking of making a trip to the mainland in December. One place that I would really love to see (thanks to various seasons of The Amazing Race ) is Lijiang. However, obviously, it would be mid-winter. Is the place still worth it in winter? Do a lot of things just close down? Would we still be able to walk around the Old Town comfortably or would the snowfall be too thick? In my mind, I have this romantic vision of light snow on the Chinese gables hung with red lanterns and hearty walks with two kids (6 & 12) followed by even heartier dinners but are we more likely to be miserable , holed up and bickering than living out a fantasy of a Chinese version of a white Christmas? Advice from anyone who has made the trip in winter (or otherwise) would be very much appreciated.

[Rob2020]

Sorry, can't advise regarding December, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Lijian, I stayed in the old city and it was great.

[virago]

I went a couple of years ago. Very nice place but destroyed by hordes of tourists. When I mean destroyed I mean the atmosphere but then again many places are the same these days. Winter is probably better. I went in Autumn and a little cold during nights but days were glorious.

We hired a bike for a few hours and headed into the countryside. Well worth it.

[jgl]

I'll give my input even though the trigger for the desire to go there is the Amazing Race (which I think is a bloody terrible show!)

I have been in late Dec, and have been there a total of four times at different times of the year.

In Dec, there was no snow at town level, and only a small amounts at up to 3000m (obviously, if you go to Jade Snow Mountain, there is snow on that). What we had were clear blue skies, comfortable temps in the sun for exercise (we were cycling) and cold in the shade.

At night it's freezing, and the Naxi-style guesthouses have no insulation. They provide electric blankets and space heaters, but you will likely still be cold. Most guesthouses have incredibly hard beds, the sort preferred by Chinese people. I did find one guesthouse with soft Western style beds, PM me if you want the name.

There are less tourists in winter, which is a good thing. Stores are still open if you want to buy tourist tat or exotic teas.

There are plenty of good food options, and even good Western food options.

[MovingIn07]

I really like lijiang but we didn't go in December (March I think). I doubt it would shut down - seemed like the kind of place that buzzed all year around!

[Stu79]

Always fancied Lijiang myself - how do you get there from HK? Is there a direct flight?

[threelittlepigs]

Last time I went - flew HK into Kunming and then a short flight from there. I think there are flights direct from Shenzhen though.

[MovingIn07]

Direct from shenzhen. V convenient.

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[bookblogger]

I was there in '95 and it was getting touristy, and domestic tourism hadn't yet taken off. I dread to think what it's like now. Apparently there is a road through Tiger Leaping Gorge

[MovingIn07]

I was there in '95 and it was getting touristy, and domestic tourism hadn't yet taken off. I dread to think what it's like now. Apparently there is a road through Tiger Leaping Gorge

Road is not the word i would have used. . .

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