Yuhu Village

Yuhu Village (玉湖村) — Lijiang, Yunnan

Yuhu Village, also called Xuesong Village (Stone Village), sits at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, about 18 km north of Lijiang Old Town. Built entirely from glacial stone, it is one of the most authentic and least commercialized Naxi villages in the region.

🌟 Why Visit?

Highlight Description
Stone Village Every house is built from raw glacial stone — no two are alike
Snow Mountain Views Look up and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain fills the sky; sunrise “golden mountain” views are spectacular
Longnu Lake (Dragon Maiden Lake) A crystal-blue alpine lake surrounded by meadows, nicknamed “Little New Zealand”
Joseph Rock’s House The former home of Austrian-American explorer Joseph Rock, who lived here for 27 years and inspired Lost Horizon
Peace & Quiet Far fewer tourists than Dayan, Shuhe, or Baisha

📍 Key Spots

1. Longnu Lake

The crown jewel of Yuhu Village. A mirror-like lake reflecting snow peaks, with a lone tree, grazing horses, and open grassland.
Experience Details
Horseback riding ~¥50/hour — negotiate price and route with local herders
Picnic Bring your own food; enjoy lakeside with mountain views (take all trash with you)
Photography Best at sunrise for golden mountain reflections; the lone tree on the north shore is iconic
Best photo times: 6:00–7:00 AM for sunrise; 3:00–5:00 PM for soft golden light.

2. Joseph Rock’s Former Residence

A small museum (¥25 entry) in the courtyard where explorer Joseph Rock lived from 1922 to 1949. Displays his old photos, maps, and equipment.

3. Stone Alleys & Cafés

Wander the quiet stone lanes. Several cafés have picture-perfect windows framing the snow mountain.

🚗 Getting There

Method Route Cost
Taxi / DiDi Direct from Lijiang Old Town ~¥40–60, ~40 min
E-scooter Rent in Old Town, navigate to “Longnu Lake” ¥50–100/day, ~1 hr ride
Shuttle Bus “Lijiang Tourism Shuttle” mini-program; departs from Zhongyi Market / South Gate ¥10/person, 40–50 min
Public Bus Route 17 to Yuhu Village entrance, then walk 2 km Free but infrequent
⚠️ During peak season (Oct–Feb), village entrance may require a ¥30 shuttle bus. Arrive before 7:00 AM to drive in directly.

🎫 Entry Fees

Item Price
Yuhu Village Free
Joseph Rock’s House ¥25
Shuttle bus (peak season) ¥30 round-trip
Horseback riding ~¥50/hour (negotiable)

🗺️ Suggested Itinerary

Half-Day (Combined with Baisha)

plain

Morning:  Explore Baisha Ancient Town + coffee
Lunch:   Eat in Baisha
Afternoon: Yuhu Village → Joseph Rock's House → Longnu Lake
Evening: Sunset at Longnu Lake → return to Old Town
Full Day in Yuhu

plain

09:00  Arrive, shuttle to Yuhu Square
09:30  Wander stone alleys
10:00  Visit Joseph Rock's House
11:30  Lunch (Naxi grilled pork, chicken bean jelly)
13:00  Head to Longnu Lake
14:00–17:00  Lakeside walk, photos, horseback riding
17:30  Return for sunset over the village

🍜 What to Eat

  • Naxi Grilled Pork — charcoal-grilled, crispy outside
  • Chicken Bean Jelly — classic Naxi cold snack, sour and spicy
  • Cured Pork Rib Hot Pot — Lijiang’s signature dish
  • Butter Tea + Lijiang Baba — traditional Naxi pairing
Dining options inside the village are limited. Bring snacks just in case.

⚠️ Tips
Footwear Village paths are uneven stone — wear comfortable flat shoes
Sun protection High altitude = intense UV; sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are essential
Altitude ~2,700 m; stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity
Cash Phone signal is weak at Longnu Lake — bring some cash
Wind jacket It gets windy by the lake, especially mornings and evenings

👗 Photo Tips

  • White or ethnic-style long dress + straw hat = fairy-tale vibes
  • Red dress pops beautifully against the blue-green lake
  • Best light: early morning (sunrise) and late afternoon (3:00–5:00 PM)
Yuhu Village is Lijiang’s most underrated gem — no bar streets, no crowds, just stone houses, alpine meadows, and a snow mountain that feels close enough to touch.