Lijiang, China 🇨🇳
#1363 31.964266, 106.13628

Nomad Score: 60%
Overview Guide Scores Costs

Essentials

🏙️ City Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the Yunnan province of China, known for its well-preserved ancient town and vibrant Naxi culture.
👥 Population Approx. 1,200,000.
💻 Internet Speed Average broadband speed is around 50 Mbps, with many cafes and co-working spaces offering reliable Wi-Fi.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 CNY ≈ 0.14 USD. ATMs and banks are widely available.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable. It is recommended to drink bottled water.
🔌 Power 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets.
📶 SIM Card Main providers include China Mobile and China Unicom, offering various prepaid and postpaid plans.
💳 Banking for Expats International cards are accepted at major banks, but cash is more common in smaller venues.
🛌 Accommodation Options vary from hostels, boutique hotels, to serviced apartments available on platforms like Airbnb.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely accepted, but cash is still used.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Popular options include Airbnb and local guesthouses.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel options such as 'Lijiang Love Home' provide affordable lodging for travelers.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Space Lijiang offers a cozy atmosphere with good internet for remote workers.
☕ Best Cafe for Work The One Cafe is known for its quiet atmosphere, good coffee, and reliable Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Remote workers often gather at various expat meetups, usually found on social media platforms.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Facebook groups for expats in Lijiang host regular social events and activities.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App DiDi is the most popular ride-hailing app in Lijiang.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Bike rentals are available for exploring the scenic surroundings. Local shops like 'Bike Lijiang' provide rentals.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Lijiang does not have a beach, but Erhai Lake is a scenic retreat approximately 2 hours away.
✈️ Top Regional Airline China Eastern Airlines operates flights from Lijiang to major cities.
✈️ Top International Airline Major carriers such as Air China and China Southern have direct flights from Lijiang to international destinations.
🛣️ Highway Access The G214 is the main highway connecting Lijiang to other major cities.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Lijiang Railway Station connects to Kunming and other regional destinations.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Public transport is available via buses, with single fare tickets around ¥1-3.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses operate to surrounding towns and attractions, such as Shuhe Ancient Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Lijiang People's Hospital is the primary healthcare facility for residents and expats.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers The Yoga Studio Lijiang offers regular classes for all levels.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Local gyms such as 'Fitness Lijiang' provide various exercise classes and equipment.
🧺 Laundry Services Laundry services are widely available, such as Lijiang Laundromat offering drop-off and pick-up.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Meituan and Ele.me are popular food delivery apps in Lijiang.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Naxi-style grilled fish and 'Lijiang Baba' (a type of flatbread) are must-tries.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Vegetarian restaurants like 'Green Life' provide a variety of plant-based dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots 'The Dessert Shop' is a popular venue for traditional Chinese pastries and desserts.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots 'Old Town Market' offers local produce and affordable snacks.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store JD.com and Taobao are widely used for online shopping in China.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Apps like Freshippo provide grocery delivery services in Lijiang.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area The Old Town offers various bars with live music, such as 'The Lost Garden'.
🍻 Local Brewery 'Lijiang Craft Beer' serves locally brewed beers with unique flavors.
🍷 Wine Bars 'The Wine House' features an extensive selection of local and imported wines.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street food is plentiful in the Old Town, offering snacks like dumplings and skewers.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine 'Nacos' serves Mexican cuisine and has a solid expat following.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Baisha Frescoes and Lijiang Old Town are essential sights.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues The Lijiang Museum offers insights into the city’s history and culture.
🏰 Historical Sites The ancient town of Shuhe is a nearby historical site worth visiting.
🕍 Religious Sites The Yufeng Temple is a significant Buddhist temple in Lijiang.
🎉 Annual Events 'Lijiang Snow Mountain Festival' takes place every January.
🎨 Cultural Districts Lijiang Old Town is a vibrant cultural district filled with shops and restaurants.
🎭 Theater Venues 'Lijiang Theatre' hosts various performances showcasing local culture.
🛍️ Local Markets 'Lijiang Market' offers crafts and local specialties.
🎼 Music Scene Live music is available at various venues in the Old Town, especially on weekends.
🎨 Street Art Street art murals can be found in and around the Old Town area.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes 'Lijiang Cooking School' offers lessons in traditional Naxi cuisine.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries 'Old Town Art Gallery' features local artists and exhibitions.
🕰️ Historic Buildings 'Shizhong Tower' offers a glimpse into Lijiang's architectural heritage.
🏴 Local Heritage Lijiang's culture is deeply influenced by the Naxi ethnic group, known for their matriarchal society.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes The scenic Lashi Lake is a short ride away, popular for hiking and birdwatching.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park is a major natural attraction.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Many paths around the Old Town and surrounding countryside are bike and pedestrian friendly.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints The Black Dragon Pool Park offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Lashi Lake is popular for birdwatching, especially during migration seasons.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Some areas by the lakes allow bonfires, but regulations should be checked first.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service SF Express provides reliable parcel delivery services throughout China.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local shops offer tech repair services, including 'Lijiang Electronic Repair'.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots 'Lijiang Sports Center' has public table tennis tables available.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes 'Lijiang Language School' offers Mandarin classes for foreigners.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots 'Lijiang Public Library' is a quiet place for reading and studying.
🏘️ Community Centers 'Old Town Community Center' hosts cultural events and classes.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges 'Lijiang Gaming Cafe' provides a social space for gaming enthusiasts.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Currently, Lijiang does not have casinos.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. ¥15,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥600,000).
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. ¥10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ¥400,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. ¥13,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥780,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. ¥8,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥510,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. ¥12,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥960,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. ¥7,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥560,000).
💼 Corporate Tax 25%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 20%.
🏦 Tax System China follows a progressive tax system based on residency status.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 45% for high earners.
🧾 VAT 13% standard rate.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, CFC rules apply under Chinese tax law.
🏠 Property Tax No annual property tax, but transaction taxes apply.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Around 3% for property purchases.