Town in Yunnan, China
Lijiang for solo travelers
Is Lijiang good for solo travel?
A high-altitude Naxi old town of canals and cobbled lanes below Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Good as a slow base for Yunnan; crowds, commercial shops and altitude are the trade-offs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable alone; harassment is uncommon. Be wary of bar touts and unmarked cars at night. |
How to meet people in Lijiang
Hostels in the old town and Shuhe host tea and hiking groups; day tours to Jade Dragon and Tiger Leaping Gorge are easy to join.
Good things to do alone
- Walk Dayan Old Town at dawn before the crowds
- Cycle to Baisha and Shuhe villages
- Visit Black Dragon Pool for mountain views
- Day trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Hike Tiger Leaping Gorge for two days
Where to stay in Lijiang
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Dayan Old Town | First-timers: canals, guesthouses, cafés, nightlife; tourist-heavy |
| Shuhe Ancient Town | Quieter, smaller old town with cafés and guesthouses |
| Baisha Village | Peaceful village near the mountain for long stays |
Solo travel across China
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | 5/5 | Limited |
| Beijing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Shanghai | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Xi'an | 4/5 | Limited |
| Chongqing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hangzhou | 4/5 | Limited |
| Yangshuo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lijiang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Xiamen | 4/5 | Limited |
| Dali | 4/5 | Limited |
| Huangshan | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kunming | 4/5 | Limited |
| Qingdao | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nanjing | 4/5 | Limited |
| Changsha | 4/5 | Limited |
| Pingyao | 4/5 | Rare |
| Dunhuang | 4/5 | Rare |
| Guilin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Shenzhen | 3/5 | Limited |
| Guangzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Zhangjiajie | 3/5 | Rare |
| Suzhou | 3/5 | Limited |
| Harbin | 3/5 | Limited |
| Sanya | 3/5 | Limited |
| Lhasa | 3/5 | Rare |
| Shangri-La | 3/5 | Rare |
| Jiuzhaigou | 3/5 | Rare |
| Kashgar | 3/5 | Rare |
| Wuhan | 3/5 | Limited |
| Tianjin | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Lijiang good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). A high-altitude Naxi old town of canals and cobbled lanes below Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
How do you meet people in Lijiang?
Hostels in the old town and Shuhe host tea and hiking groups; day tours to Jade Dragon and Tiger Leaping Gorge are easy to join. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Lijiang?
Limited.
Is Lijiang safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable alone; harassment is uncommon. Be wary of bar touts and unmarked cars at night.
More about Lijiang
Going to Lijiang solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Lijiang meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.