Hotel in Southern Old Town, Lijiang, Yunnan, Yunnan
InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort
A beautifully designed luxury resort in southern Lijiang Old Town featuring Naxi-inspired architecture across low-rise blocks set among tranquil garden courtyards. The 284 rooms blend traditional dark-wood Naxi aesthetics with contemporary luxury amenities, and the resort offers one of the few heated indoor pools in the area along with a full-service spa and multiple dining options.
InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort occupies a prime position within Lijiang's historic Old Town area in Yunnan, one of China's UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient cities. Situated in the southern reaches of the Gucheng district, the resort's low-rise garden blocks connected by stone-paved courtyards place guests within walking distance of iconic Sifang Square, Black Dragon Pool Park, and the labyrinthine canal-laced alleyways that define Lijiang's visual identity.
The resort's 284 rooms and suites are arranged across several two- and three-storey blocks designed in the Naxi architectural vernacular, featuring dark-stained timber frames, upturned eave tiles, and latticed wooden screens. Room interiors balance Naxi aesthetic cues — carved wooden headboards, embroidered cushions, and framed Dongba pictograph artwork — with modern amenities including climate control, rainfall showers, and well-appointed bathrooms. Superior rooms feature garden-view terraces while suites offer private sitting rooms and mountain views.
Dining options include a Chinese restaurant specialising in authentic Yunnan and Naxi cuisine — notable for dishes such as Lijiang baba flatbread, mixian rice noodles with mountain mushrooms, and Naxi-style roasted river fish — alongside a Western restaurant serving international dishes for breakfast and dinner. The bar adjoins the indoor pool terrace and offers Yunnan pu-erh tea cocktails, local Lijiang craft beer, and regional snack platters.
The resort's heated indoor swimming pool is a valued amenity in Lijiang's often cool mountain climate and distinguishes it from many smaller Old Town guesthouses. A full-service spa offers traditional Chinese massage, Yunnan herbal therapy, and foot reflexology. The fitness centre provides standard cardio and strength equipment. The in-house cultural team organises traditional Naxi music performances in the courtyard on selected evenings, offering a rare opportunity to hear Dongba ceremonial music in an appropriate architectural setting.
The IHG concierge team arranges excursions to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (30 km north), Tiger Leaping Gorge (60 km northwest), and private guided walks through Lijiang Old Town's quieter northern quarters, where UNESCO-protected architecture remains largely intact.
Amenities
- indoor pool
- spa
- 2 restaurants
- bar
- wifi
- gym
- business center
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +86 888 558 8888
Location
Gucheng District, Lijiang
26.8662, 100.2271 — View on map
Highlights
- Located within Lijiang's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town in Yunnan's Gucheng district
- Heated indoor pool — a distinctive amenity in Lijiang's cool mountain climate
- Naxi-inspired architectural design with traditional dark-timber courtyard buildings across 284 rooms
- In-house cultural team organising evening Naxi Dongba music performances in the courtyard
- IHG concierge excursions to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tips
- The resort's Old Town location limits vehicle access; porters meet arriving taxis at the stone-road boundary approximately 500m from the entrance.
- Book a mountain-view suite for Jade Dragon Snow Mountain vistas from the balcony on clear mornings.
- Lijiang sits at 2,400m elevation; hydrate well and avoid strenuous activity on the first day if arriving from lower altitudes.
- The nightly Naxi Orchestra performance at the Naxi Music Academy is a 10-minute walk from the resort — inquire at the cultural desk for current schedules.
- During Chinese national holidays, confirm room type well in advance and arrange arrival transfers as the Old Town entry zone becomes very crowded.
FAQ
Is the resort inside or outside Lijiang Old Town proper?
The resort is located in the southern section of Lijiang's Gucheng (Old Town) district, within walking distance of Sifang Square and the main canal areas. Vehicle access terminates at the Old Town boundary; luggage is carried by porters.
How far is the resort from Lijiang Sanyi Airport?
Lijiang Sanyi Airport is approximately 25 kilometres from the resort. Taxis and pre-arranged hotel transfers take 30–45 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Does the resort have meeting facilities?
The property has meeting rooms and an event space suitable for small corporate groups. A business centre with printing and secretarial services is available.
What distinguishes this resort from the smaller Old Town guesthouses nearby?
The InterContinental offers hotel-standard services including a 24-hour front desk, heated indoor pool, full-service spa, and multi-venue dining that smaller guesthouses cannot match, while still maintaining traditional Naxi aesthetics within the historic Old Town setting.
Accessibility
The resort's stone-paved courtyard walkways and step access between building levels reflect traditional Naxi construction and present challenges for wheelchair users. The main lobby is accessible from the hotel entrance lane; guests with mobility requirements should contact the resort to arrange ground-floor room placement with reduced-step routes.
When to visit
April to October offers the warmest and most pleasant conditions in Lijiang; visiting outside Chinese national holidays (May Day, Golden Week) avoids peak Old Town crowds.