That’s great, Bao He ancient town is peaceful and comfortable, it represents slow life in Lijiang as well as a sacred land for leisure travel. Inside many small shops with a lot of character, you can just lounge around, soak up some sunshine, really feel cozy!! I’m so fond of it! There are many good restaurants here too, one that’s particularly worth going to is Xia Guo Fan (), their food is great, go give it a try!
Baohe Ancient Town is cleaner compared to Dayuan Ancient Town, and the scenery is also very good. There are many nice dishes to eat; I highly recommend Bangang’s flavorful dishes (hot pot), and the boss is down-to-earth, the food is not bad either; at the end of the street, there is another dish called “Lapu” braised pork with wild fungus that is very good too; stir-fry it in a small wok.
Bend River Ancient Town Tourism | This Guide Is Enough for You to Enter Free
No Ticket Required |||
In Lijiang, if I were to find a place to settle down, it would definitely be Bend River Ancient Town. It’s an important town on the Tea Horse Ancient Road that has been well-preserved, with most of its buildings inherited from the traditional architectural style of the Naxi ethnic group. This place exudes a strong sense of local culture and customs, with many homestays incorporating water features, giving it a unique charm.
If you want to experience the life of locals in this area, I highly recommend staying here for at least two days. You can visit traditional dwellings, old streets, markets, and waterways, which will give you a sense of cultural atmosphere that is hard to find elsewhere. Compared to Lijiang Ancient City, which is bustling with tourists, Bend River Ancient Town feels like a peaceful haven.
Recommended Attractions:
Qinglong Bridge: The most iconic and largest stone bridge in Lijiang built during the time when Mo family dominated the region.
Four Sides Street: A street with four directional roads that lead to eight different directions, surrounded by water, and featuring a market at noon. It’s one of the oldest markets in Heijing Dam.
Longtan: Ancient trees under Dragon Spring Mountain, creating a natural wonder called Longtan Ponds.
Xi Shan Red Leaves: The west hill is home to many camphor trees that turn vibrant red during autumn.
Recommended Homestay:
Mo Zek Wusha Guesthouse. This guesthouse has gained fame on the internet for its exquisite 4 million rose petal decorations and luxurious courtyard. The host also offers afternoon tea, as seen in some guidebooks by other travelers.
Free Entry Strategy:
Start from the north gate of Bend River Ancient Town and walk east for about 150 meters to find two restaurants “Wahzi” and “Renji Family-Style Cuisines”. There is a small path between them. Follow this path around the first bend, and you’ll be free to enter the ancient town! Enjoy the local delicacies such as braised pork ribs, stir-fried rice in small pots, or boneless phoenix claws.
Friend, Bundu Ancient Town is more peaceful than Dayan Ancient Town, with fewer tourists. Although there are few guests and good food at the inn, it’s very convenient for traveling. I chose to stay in each of the two ancient towns overnight to experience different atmospheres. Wishing you have a pleasant trip!