Just got back from Lijiang, and here's the truth, no sugarcoating

Lijiang, Yunnan is the "Little Jiangnan of the Plateau." In May, the wind carries the crispness of the snow-capped mountains and the sweet fragrance of peach blossoms. The ancient city's stone roads shimmer, and Yulong Snow Mountain is topped with cotton candy clouds. Lashi Lake is so blue you'll want to dive right in🌿! Time here seems to slow down to half speed, even the cats are yawning on the rooftops🐈⬛～ 🗺️ [Super Detailed 5-Day Itinerary: Highly Recommended Edition] Day 1: Slow Time in the Ancient City 🌅 Morning: Wander into the ancient city's alleys. I recommend starting from "Sifang Street" and taking some "empty city" shots while there are fewer people! The ticket to Mufu Palace (8:00–18:00) is a bit pricey, but the red walls, green tiles, and Naxi palace stories are definitely worth it. 🍜 Noon: Head to "No. 88 Snack Shop" for a bowl of Jidou Liangfen (pea jelly)! The dark jelly is drizzled with chili oil, making it spicy, sour, and smooth – instantly appetizing😋! 🌙 Evening: Go to "Dayan Flower Lane" to see the night view. When the lanterns light up, it feels like stepping into Spirited Away! Secret tip: the Wenchang Palace viewing platform is free and less crowded, perfect for panoramic shots📸! Day 2: Yulong Snow Mountain Hike 🚞 Morning: Take the "Panoramic Sightseeing Train" to the snow mountain (CNY 50 one way)! The train windows change color to block UV rays, and the snow mountain and flower sea flash by, like watching a 4D scenic movie🎢～ 🏔️ Noon: You must visit Blue Moon Valley!! The lake water is as blue as spilled paint. I recommend renting a set of ethnic clothes for photos (CNY 30/hr) to instantly transform into a snow mountain fairy🧚♀️～ 🌌 Evening: Relax back in the ancient city. I recommend "Yunxueli Restaurant" for wild mushroom hot pot. The soup is so fresh it'll make your eyebrows dance! Day 3: Shuhe Ancient Town + Baisha Handmade Crafts 🛶 Morning: Shuhe is more original than Dayan! The water in Jiuding Dragon Pool is crystal clear. Spend CNY 5 to feed the koi, said to help you find love🐟～ 🎨 Noon: Head to Baisha Ancient Town to experience intangible cultural heritage! Make your own flower paper at "Dongba Paper Workshop" (CNY 68 experience), which can be dried and sent as a postcard📮～ 🍻 Evening: Go to "Shuhe Fire Pit" for a stove-side tea, listen to Naxi grandpas play the mouth harp, and soak in the atmosphere～ Day 4: Lashi Lake Horseback Riding & Relaxation 🐎 Morning: Ride a horse along the Ancient Tea Horse Road (approx. CNY 200/person). The horse ride is bumpy but super fun! Remember to choose the route along the wetland, with meadows, wildflowers, and snow mountain reflections that are so beautiful they'll make you cry🌸～ 🛶 Noon: Take a pig trough boat to tour the lake! The boatman will sing Mosuo love songs, and "water hyacinths" (edible sea vegetables) float on the water, making it feel unreal～ 🌠 Evening: Return to the city for "A'ma Yi Pork Ribs," where the salty, fragrant ribs are stewed until tender, perfect with chili fermented bean curd🔥! Day 5: Chilling at Black Dragon Pool 🌊 Morning: The free secret spot, Black Dragon Pool! Stake out a spot at 6am for "Sunrise over the Golden Mountain," where the snow mountain is reflected in the pool, and the ancient bridge + pavilion create a perfect composition🏯～ 🍃 Noon: Have a picnic under the trees by the pool. Bring a Jia Hua fresh flower cake; the rose filling is so fragrant that bees will chase you🐝～ 🚶♀️ Evening: Sweep through Zhongyi Market! The roasted milk fan for CNY 5 is rich with milky aroma, and the burst tofu for CNY 10 is crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor on the inside – a foodie's delight‼️ 🌟 [Must-Visit List: Highly Recommended!] Yulong Snow Mountain Panoramic Sightseeing Train: The world's first! The windows automatically change color, and you'll travel through flower seas and snow mountains in 35 minutes – a double whammy of technology and beauty～ Baisha Ancient Town Murals: The ceiling of Naxi art in the Ming Dynasty, free to view, but remember to keep your voice down～ Lashi Lake Peach Blossom Post Office: Limited to April! Write a postcard and put it in the wooden box, and you can pick snow peaches for free in the fall with the letter🍑 (super sweet!)～ Zhongyi Market Night Market: Transforms into a snack paradise after 18:00, where you can eat until you're stuffed for an average of CNY 30～ Amei Ze Snow Mountain Camp: A holy land for wedding photography! Gesang flowers + snow mountains + tents = super romantic💒～ 🏨 [Accommodation: Stay Here!] Lijiang Jinmao Purelax Mountain Hotel: First-line view rooms at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, with the snow mountain right in front of you when you open the curtains! There's a stargazing guide at night to show you the Milky Way✨, and you can also experience Dongba tie-dyeing～The only downside is the price (approx. CNY 3,000+/night)😭～ 🚌 [Transportation: Lessons Learned the Hard Way] ✅ Good: The panoramic sightseeing train is the best! Take lots of photos by the window, and your social media will blow up～ ❌ Bad: Lijiang buses are super hard to wait for! Don't wait for the bus to Yulong Snow Mountain like an idiot; just carpool (CNY 30/person) or book a direct shuttle to the scenic area～ ⚠️ [Tips: Survival Guide] 1️⃣ Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen! (The plateau's UV rays will teach you a lesson in minutes) 2️⃣ Don't push yourself on Yulong Snow Mountain. Buy oxygen tanks for CNY 20 in the ancient city, or CNY 60 in the scenic area! 3️⃣ The ancient city's stone roads are slippery, so wear sneakers! 4️⃣ Don't trust "low-price tours" for horseback riding at Lashi Lake; go straight to a reputable horse farm～ 🍜 [Food: Makes the Neighbors Drool] Pork Rib Hot Pot: Salty and flavorful, the broth is so fresh when you add wild vegetables～ Jidou Liangfen (Pea Jelly): Dark, shiny, and chewy, you won't be able to stop slurping it with the spicy and sour sauce～ Butter Tea: The salty version is like cheese milk tea, and the sweet version is like almond dew – super comforting! Rice Sausage: Steamed glutinous rice mixed with pig blood, crispy on the outside and sticky on the inside – strange but delicious～ Fresh Flower Cake: Freshly baked! The crust is flaky, and the rose filling flows like honey～ 💰 [Expense List] Accommodation (mid- to high-end): CNY 500–2,000/night Yulong Snow Mountain Package: Approx. CNY 200 Panoramic Sightseeing Train: CNY 80 round trip Dining: Average of CNY 60–100/day Horseback Riding and Boating: CNY 200–300/time 📣 [Summary: Just Go!] Lijiang in May is the honeymoon period for snow mountains and peach blossoms, and the concerto of stone roads and milk tea～Spend CNY 80 to take a sightseeing train through the flower sea, take photos of the sunrise over the golden mountain in a free secret spot, and watch the ancient city lights while munching on pork ribs… This guide is filled with my hard-earned experience, but Lijiang's beauty is worth the trip!🌟