My Lijiang Budget Travel Diary: Seeing the Most Beautiful Scenery with the Least Money

A young photography and travel enthusiast did something crazy one March spring day — he bought the cheapest flight ticket he could find and set off on a spontaneous solo trip to Lijiang. At the time, I was standing at a crossroads in life, feeling completely lost about the future. While scrolling through Ctrip, I stumbled upon flight prices to Lijiang that were too tempting to ignore. Without a second thought, I decided to go — to see the most beautiful scenery on the tightest budget possible. If you're also planning a budget trip to Lijiang, this travel diary might give you some practical tips and a few warnings about the pitfalls to avoid.

Pre-Departure Preparation: Cash, Sunscreen, and a Brave Heart

Before you leave, there are a few things I have to remind you about: you must bring cash, because some places only accept cash payments — like the airport shuttle bus. Also, sunscreen and a sun hat are absolute necessities, unless you want to end up looking like a piece of charcoal by the time you head home, just like I did. The ultraviolet rays in Yunnan are no joke.

From Chengdu to Mianyang: A Less-Than-Perfect Breakfast

On March 5th, I got up bright and early and took a high-speed train from Chengdu to Mianyang. The ticket cost 51 yuan, and the journey took about an hour. When I arrived at Mianyang Station, I grabbed a quick breakfast at a random shop near the station for 8 yuan. The taste? Well, let's just say — don't expect much from food near train stations.

Mianyang Nanjiao Airport: My First Flight, and My First Delay

After breakfast, I took a Didi (11.56 yuan) to Mianyang Nanjiao Airport. It was my first time flying, and I was as excited as a little kid, looking around at everything. But the excitement didn't last long — the loudspeaker delivered some disappointing news: "Dear passengers, we regret to inform you that flight SC46** is unable to depart on time due to air traffic control..." This was my very first experience with a flight delay, and my mood instantly plummeted from cloud nine to rock bottom.

After about an hour's delay, we finally boarded. The flight attendants from Shandong Airlines greeted every passenger with a smile, and the service was pretty good. The ticket cost 290 yuan, plus 51 yuan for travel insurance, totaling 341 yuan.

Day One: Arriving in Lijiang, First Glimpse of the Old Town

From the Airport to the Old Town: The Cash-Only Bus

At 2:40 PM, the plane landed at Lijiang Sanyi Airport. After picking up my luggage, I found the airport bus. Its final stop was the Civil Aviation Lantian Hotel in the old town area. The fare was 20 yuan, and cash only. The ride took about an hour. After getting off at Lantian Hotel, I walked for about 20 minutes to the guesthouse I had booked — Fudi Inn (福地客栈), located near the North Gate of the old town.

Fudi Inn: Cheap but Clean

The innkeeper was a friendly guy born in 1993. He was very welcoming, helped me carry my luggage, and showed me to my room. Although the room didn't quite match the photos on Ctrip, it was clean and tidy enough. Three nights cost a total of 155 yuan — great value for money. The inn is only about 500 meters from the North Gate of the old town, with restaurants, fruit stalls, and convenience stores nearby. I'd recommend it to anyone on a tight budget.

First Meal: Eating Mala Tang in Lijiang?

After settling in and resting a bit, I went out to find some food. Strangely enough, in the beautiful city of Lijiang, my very first meal was at a place called "Three Visits Mala Tang (三顾冒菜)". It was okay, but a bit pricey at 29 yuan. Still, that's what you expect in a tourist area, I guess.

The old town of Lijiang at night is breathtakingly beautiful. I bought a local fruit platter (21 yuan — tip: shop around, it's usually 5 yuan per half-jin, but some places charge 9 yuan per half-jin), grabbed my DSLR camera, and strolled leisurely through the ancient streets. The lights and music from the bars blended together, and the slow pace of life in the old town felt incredibly soothing. And that was the end of my first day.

Day Two: A Crazy Hike and a Hard Lesson Learned

Yuhu Village: A Friendly Auntie and an Expensive Horse Ride

On the second day, I planned to do a serious hike. Around 11 AM, I took bus No. 17 to Yuhu Village for just 1 yuan. On the bus, a friendly local auntie enthusiastically recommended a scenic spot called "Jade Pillar Touching the Sky (玉柱擎天)", claiming it was beautiful but "didn't accept individual visitors" — the only way in was through a horse-riding tour, which cost 260 yuan. I told her I wanted to hike, but she kept pushing. Eventually, she "gave me a discount" down to 150 yuan.

So what happened? The horse ride lasted only about 5 minutes, and the route was nothing special — just an ordinary little path. When we arrived, the auntie tried to get me to eat at a local farmhouse. I refused, and she simply walked off and left me there. I wandered around the village alone, feeling pretty annoyed. Later, maybe her conscience kicked in, and she came back to take me to the scenic area — but she insisted I ride the horse again. I insisted on walking. She finally led me down a small path. At the entrance to the scenic spot, I paid 25 yuan for a ticket. The scenery inside was indeed beautiful, but the place was deserted — I was the only visitor at first, until a few couples showed up to take wedding photos.

When I left, I asked a staff member out of curiosity: "Is the only way in here by horse?" The answer was: "No, there's no such rule." Well, I had been completely taken for a ride — literally and figuratively.

The Hiking Route: 18 Kilometers of Solitude and Scenery

Even though I got scammed, I decided to treat it as a lesson learned. I shook it off and started my hike: Yuhu Village → Jade Pillar Touching the Sky Scenic Area → Yushui Village (玉水寨) → Dongba Wanshen Garden (东巴万神园) → Shuhe Ancient Town. There was almost nobody on the road. Walking alone on the empty mountain paths was a bit scary, but the scenery along the way made it all worth it. Every kilometer or so, I'd see a couple taking wedding photos by the roadside — almost as if the universe was trying to tell me something.

After walking about 18 kilometers, I couldn't go any further. My power bank was almost dead. I called a Didi (14.10 yuan) to take me to Shuhe Ancient Town. Compared to the lively Lijiang Old Town, Shuhe was much quieter — the kind of place where you can sit down for a cup of tea and read a book.

Back at the inn, I chatted with the innkeeper and another guest about my day's adventures. Everyone had a good laugh, and I learned a lot from the experience.

Day Two Expense Summary

• Bus: 1 yuan
• Horse ride: 150 yuan (ripoff!)
• Taxi: 14.10 yuan + 12.92 yuan
• Dinner: 26 yuan

Friendly Tip: If you want to hike, take the bus to the Snow Mountain fork in the road — don't go into the village. Don't easily trust locals offering "discounts." It's best to go with a companion and bring plenty of water and food.

Day Three: A Cultural Tour of Eternal Love and Mu's Mansion

Sleeping In, and the Innkeeper Helps with Tickets

On the third day, I slept until I naturally woke up and didn't go out until noon. When the innkeeper found out I wanted to visit the "Lijiang Eternal Love (丽江千古情)" scenic area, he offered to book tickets for me at 230 yuan — much cheaper than the 290 yuan on Ctrip — and it even included a free shuttle bus. I took the deal immediately. He thoughtfully picked the 4:30 PM show for me and reminded me to leave at 2:00 PM, so I could also catch the popular "Lijiang Love Song (丽江恋歌)" performance at 3:30 PM.

Mu's Mansion: A Glimpse of Naxi Culture

I had lunch first (23 yuan), then headed to Mu's Mansion (木府). The old town is huge, and I almost got lost. The entrance fee for Mu's Mansion was 40 yuan, and a free guide was included. Following the guide, I learned about the rise and fall of the Mu family, the Dongba civilization of the Naxi people, and the unique architectural features. The guide also told me that you can't touch the shawl worn by Naxi women on their backs without their permission, and that in the old town, following the water downstream takes you deeper in, while going upstream leads you out.

Lijiang Eternal Love: A Stunning Spectacle

At 2:00 PM, the innkeeper personally took me to the free shuttle bus. After arriving at the scenic area, I first watched "Mu's Mansion Recruits a Son-in-Law (木府招婿)" — only about ten minutes long, but very entertaining. Next was the large-scale live performance "Lijiang Love Song (丽江恋歌)", which told the tragic love story of a Tibetan boy named Abuda and a Naxi girl named Gajimi. It was deeply moving.

Finally came the main show, "Lijiang Eternal Love (丽江千古情)". The combination of technology and art was truly breathtaking. The genuine emotions of the performers and the seamless blend of reality and illusion on stage were all top-notch. Highly recommended!

After the show ended, the free shuttle bus was scheduled to depart half an hour later. I stayed to catch another performance called "Earthquake (大地震)", and ended up standing around in the cold wind for nearly an hour before the return bus finally came.

Day Three Expense Summary

• Lunch: 23 yuan
• Mu's Mansion ticket: 40 yuan
• Eternal Love ticket: 230 yuan
• Dinner snacks: 20 yuan (I recommend the stuffed tofu — 包浆豆腐)

Day Four: Saying Goodbye to Lijiang, Heading Home

Every good journey must come to an end. I took a China International Airlines flight back to Chengdu, costing 510 yuan. The airport bus was 20 yuan, departing from Lantian Hotel every 30 minutes (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM) — make sure to plan your timing.

Flight Comparison

• Shandong Airlines (outbound): Good service from the flight attendants, but the seats were narrow and the announcements were hard to hear.
• China International Airlines (return): Slightly worse service, but the seats were more comfortable and the announcements were clear.

Yunnan's geographical conditions mean that takeoffs and landings can be quite bumpy. If you're sensitive to turbulence, be mentally prepared.

Final Thoughts: The Meaning of Budget Travel

This budget trip to Lijiang cost me the least amount of money, let me see the most beautiful scenery, and also taught me a few hard lessons. But it's precisely these experiences that make travel real and unforgettable. If you're planning to go to Lijiang, remember a few things: bring cash, wear sunscreen, don't trust strangers too easily, and compare prices. Most importantly, keep an open heart and embrace everything the journey brings — whether it's beautiful views or valuable lessons.

Author's Note: This travel diary is original content. Any form of reproduction requires contacting the author for permission.