[2025 Yulong Attraction] Travel Guide for Stone Drum (Shigu) Town (Updated Jul)

Getting There - From Lijiang it’s easy to hop on a local mini bus going to Shigu at Jinkai Square anytime in the day. The journey takes about two hours and the views along the way are absolutely breathtaking. Highlight - Shigu town and the entire area abounds with tranquil villages and dazzling views with massive mountains in the background. I really enjoyed staying at the village and getting to experience the local way of living. I also particularly loved the local food market in Shigu which is held almost twice every week. When it’s happening, you see literally every one from nearby villages coming to the market to sell local produce, buy fresh groceries for the week or just to hangout with old friends and have some chitchat. You can barely see any tourist there, which makes the experience even more local. #china #yunnan #naturalwonders #awesomepic #wintergetaway

Getting There - Anaguo is located in Taohua Village in Lijiang City. It’s about 1.5 hours’ drive away from Shigu town, south of Lijiang. To reach Anaguo you need to catch a local bus from Lijiang to Shigu town and then from there to Taohua village and Anaguo is about another half an hour away from that village. It is a new entry-level hiking mecca in China. The entire area features virgin forests, alpine pastures, sunrise in clouds, azalea forests, spruce forests, yew forests, rocky mountains and Iris Valley. The views are very different in different seasons with all the trees changing colors and flowers blossoming at different times of the year. I discovered this gem from a friend of mine and I absolutely fell in love with it at the time when I was hiking there a year ago. I kept going back ever since and I never felt I could get enough of the wild nature there. #china #hiking #naturalwonders

If you are around the Stone Drum Lashi village, Shigu, there’s a restaurant you should definitely try. Wang Nang restaurant focuses on traditional cuisine from Southwest China. It is located next to main park door, very near the riverbank (for an after-meal walk). This restaurant has not only a beautiful decoration and rustic ambience, varies indoors/outdoors, but its dishes include traditional Yunnan and Sichuan flavors. In Yunnan, pork is the most popular meat, and you can get many different preparations ranging non-spicy to Sichuan spicy (🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 ) level. Rice is served in traditional wood bowl, and delicious Chinese bread is complementary. A popular dish is the traditional Naxi blood rice sausage (lower dish, second pic), made with rice, pork blood, spices and flour. Relatively similar to morcilla and other blood sausages. This dish is part of the cultural history of Naxi minority, can be found around Lijiang, some of their preparation includes wine. #lijiangtravel #lijiangdelicacies #yunnan #food #foodieheaven #foodietrip #lijiang #urbanexplorer #restaurant #traditionalculture #traditionalfood #historicculture #cityoverlook #traditionaldishes

Shigu town was named after a drum-shaped stone, located in Naxi county. This famous old town in Changjiang’s riverside is home to one of the Jingpo minority’s tribes in China. Shigu inhabitants mainly depend on tea plantations, as village part of the ancient Tea Horse Road, but also the rice fields present a great scenery. This small town was mainly visited by foreigners in the past, Chinese preferred to visit Lijiang than a very low-income old town. This is a popular rock climbing location. Shigu also has few spots to visit, like the old town, museum, the Iron Rainbow bridge, nature walks and boat sightseeing along the Changjiang river. #lashi #stonedrumvillage #stonedrum #scenicspotphotoguide #urbanexplorer #yunnan #yunnantravel #climbing #nature #changjiang #river #oldvillage #ancienttown #oldtown #lijiang #ancientarchitecture #shigu #shigutown #shiguvillage #cityoverlook#oldarchitecture#ancientarchitecture#historicculture

The scenic area near Shigu Town is a nice spot to admire the Changjiang river and the mountains. Sigu town is only few minutes away, and you get a chance to trek up local (commonly unvisited) trails to the summit. This is something out of the ordinary, and you should mind every one of your steps. Scenery from this hills are great, however, in this time of the year the water level is low and you can’t admire the full dimension of Changjiang river. Additionally, this green colored waters become yellowish colored during summer (rainy season). After this short trek, you can continue your visit to Shigu Town. #urbanexplorer #scenicspotphotoguide #scenicspot #trekking #mountain #lijiang #dali #yunnantravel #yunnan #river #changjiang #natureshots #nature #naturalscenery

Looking to escape the crowds and explore the hidden gems of Lijiang and Diqing during the upcoming holiday? Embark on an incredible 7-day journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Peacock Mountain and Meili Snow Mountain. Discover the awe-inspiring beauty and mystery of nature on this off-the-beaten-path hiking route. Join us for an unforgettable adventure! Must-Visit Attractions: Meili Snow Mountain National Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: 214 National Road, Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture - Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM - Recommended Visit Duration: 1-2 days - Highlights: Witness the stunning sunrise over the golden peaks, a paradise for photography enthusiasts! Napa Lake (Yila Grassland) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: Napa Lake Yila Grassland Ticket Center, Wuyi Road, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture - Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM - Recommended Visit Duration: 3-5 hours - Highlights: Seasonal scenery changes, with lush grass and blooming flowers in late summer and early autumn, creating a picturesque view. Dukezong Ancient Town ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: Kangzhu Avenue, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province - Opening Hours: Open all day - Recommended Visit Duration: 2-3 hours - Highlights: Built along the mountain, the stone-paved streets reflect the passage of time and the weight of history. Ganden Sumtseling Monastery ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: No. 3 Niwang Road, Jiantang Town, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province - Opening Hours: 7:40 AM - 6:30 PM - Recommended Visit Duration: 1-2 hours - Highlights: Known as the "Little Potala Palace," this Tibetan art museum offers a deep dive into Tibetan culture. Tiger Leaping Gorge (Shangri-La Section) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Address: Shangri-La Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Area, East Ring Road, Tiger Leaping Gorge Town, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture - Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM - Recommended Visit Duration: 2-3 hours - Highlights: A narrow and deep gorge with spectacular rock formations and roaring rapids, offering breathtaking and thrilling views. 🎒 Packing Checklist: 👕 Clothing: Short-sleeve T-shirts, sun protection clothing, lightweight jackets, and jeans to handle the temperature differences between day and night. 👟 Footwear: Comfortable and non-slip sneakers or hiking boots for all terrains. 🎩 Sun Protection: Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen to avoid sunburn. 📷 Photography Gear: Camera or smartphone, spare batteries, and chargers to capture every beautiful moment. 💳 Essentials: ID card, cash, and bank cards for safety and convenience. May your Lijiang to Diqing journey be filled with beauty, surprises, and unforgettable memories! 💖

Today is the weekend, and I've made a last-minute decision to take a day trip to Shigu Town. Shigu Town is situated in the western part of Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It lies at the confluence of the Jinsha River and the Chongjiang River. The town derives its name from a drum-shaped, dark brown stone inscription carved by the Mu Clan chieftain of Lijiang during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1548). Here, the Jinsha River turns northeast, creating the "First Bend of the Yangtze River," a truly magnificent sight. During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang "crossed the Lu River in May" at this very spot. In April 1936, He Long, Xiao Ke, Guan Xiangying, and others led the Second and Sixth Red Army Corps across the river here on their northward march. Within the town, you'll find cultural and historical relics such as a drum-shaped white marble stele, the Iron Rainbow Bridge, the Red Army's Long March through Lijiang Memorial Hall, and the Red Army Crossing the River Monument. I recommend visiting Shigu Old Street and the Red Army's Long March through Lijiang Memorial Hall - Shigu Stele Gallery. Near the Red Army Long March Monument, about 100 meters further in, there's a small, unassuming local restaurant (no signboard) where I recently had one of the most filling meals. Be sure to order their signature stir-fried pork. When in Shigu Town, I also recommend trying the local specialties: Jiangbian La (riverside spicy dish) and Shigu Liangfen (cold jelly noodles).