Lijiang Dongba Cultural Museum (Lijiang Museum) is the core window to explore the Naxi Dongba civilization. The museum has nearly 3,000 Dongba cultural relics in its collection. It is open for free and explained professionally. It is recommended to visit for 1.5-2 hours, and you can travel with Heilongtan.
I. Basic information
• Address: No. 862 Shangri-La Avenue, Gucheng District (near the north gate of Heilongtan Park)
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 (no admission at 16:30), closed on Mondays (except legal holidays)
• Tickets: Free, register with your ID card
• Transportation: Bus No. 8 and No. 11 to the "City Museum Station"; the ancient city water car takes about 15 minutes to walk north
• Explanation: Free regular explanation (collection at the entrance); audio guide is about 20 yuan/set
II. Must-see exhibitions and highlights
• Naxi Dongba Cultural Exhibition: Divided into 5 themes, focusing on Dongba hieroglyphs (the only complete hieroglyph system in the world that is still in use), Dongba ancient books, divine road maps (long volume of funeral ceremonies), ** magic tools, and the interactive area can generate exclusive Naxi names.
• Three World Heritage Exhibitions: Linking the ancient city of Lijiang, Dongba ancient literature, and the parallel flow of the three rivers, showing the heritage value through cultural relics and application documents.
• Architecture and atmosphere: antique Naxi courtyard, the layout of the courtyard is integrated into the evolution history of Naxi residences, and the flowing water in the courtyard is reflected in the landscape of Xiangshan Mountain, which is suitable for taking photos.
III. Travel route (1.5-hour high-efficiency version)
• Arrive at the museum at 9:30 to register, follow the free explanation at 10:00, and give priority to listening to Dongba characters and ancient books (about 40 minutes).
• 10:40 Visit the heritage exhibition, focusing on the application documents and video materials (about 30 minutes).
•11:10 Experience Naxi's naming in the interactive area, and buy Dongba paper bookmarks and hieroglyphic postcards in the cultural and creative store (about 20 minutes).
•11:30 Walk 5 minutes to Heilongtan, take a picture of the reflection of Yulong Snow Mountain, and complete the linkage itinerary.
IV. Special interactive experience projects
Permanent interactive experience (playable at any time)
• Dongba will give you a Naxi name (core punching): according to the traditional Naxi "Bagtu" direction divination system, report the mother's virtual age and zodiac sign, turn the pointer to take the exclusive Naxi name card, and learn about the custom of "father and son joint name", free.
• Dongba interactive desk and touch screen: text connection "decipher" hieroglyphs, touch screen to check the stories of Dongba scholars, suitable for parents and children and culture lovers, free of charge.
• Dongba text topography / set color seal: use pre-made engraving plate topography Dongba symbol, or stamp the zodiac / auspicious pattern seal, the finished product can be taken away, free of charge for some periods, and the material fee is about 10-20 yuan.
• Dongba painting experience: copy hieroglyphs and draw Dongba paintings in the cultural and creative area or interactive corner, and provide mineral pigments and paper, about 20 yuan/copy, suitable for souvenirs.
Manual and research experience (appointment required / regular time required)
• Dongba writing class: Dongba teacher guides you to write names, common words, and understand the logic of character making, about 30 minutes, the cost is 30-50 yuan/person, and you need to make an appointment at the service desk in advance.
• Armor and horse printing (common in festivals): For example, during the Sanduo Festival, you can experience watermark wood carving armored horse, ink, paper, and pressed out the pattern, free of charge or a small amount of material costs.
• Coloring the zodiac card: Color the zodiac card in Dongba, which is suitable for children, mostly free, and is carried out normally on holidays.
Practical tips
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 (closed at 16:30), closed on Mondays (except for legal holidays).
• Appointment: It is recommended to make an appointment for manual classes and explanations 1 day in advance on the official account of "Lijiang Museum" to avoid temporary absence.
• Cost: Basic interaction is mostly free, manual classes / material charges are transparent, and there is no compulsory consumption.
• Photography: Flash is disabled in the exhibition area, and interactive finished products can be photographed freely.
V. Food recommendation
• Around Heilongtan: Naxi Courtyard Restaurant, recommends Naxi three-layer water (cold dishes + hot dishes + staple food), water-based poplar scrambled eggs, 60 yuan per capita, quiet environment.
• Museum Cultural and Creative Area: Dongba refreshment package (Dongba Baba + ghee tea), 25 yuan per capita, suitable for visiting exhibitions and resting.
• Xiangshan Market Yujie cured pork ribs: signature cured pork ribs hot pot, with potatoes and tofu, 60 yuan per capita, a local old store, full of fireworks.
• Western Yunnan Prince's ethnic cuisine: Wuyi Street in the ancient city, Naxi grilled fish and pulped tofu are recommended, 80 yuan per capita, combining national flavor and modern cuisine.
• Zhongyi Market: Chicken Bean Cold Noodles (5 yuan/portion), Lijiang Baba (sweet and salty double combination 10 yuan/piece), authentic market flavor.
• Jiahua flower cake: freshly baked rose cake, 4 yuan/piec, suitable for gifts.
VI. Accommodation recommendation
• Linson Youlu・Snow Mountain Viewing Homestay: next to the north gate of Heilongtan, a 10-minute walk to the museum; Naxi courtyard, the top floor to see the snowy mountains, including breakfast; 300-500 yuan/night
• Simuju・Naxi Dongbafeng Inn: Wuyi Street in the ancient city, 15 minutes on foot to the hotel; Dong**teng decoration, succulent courtyard, butler service; 260-400 yuan/night
• Lijiang Yunding Star Hotel: Shangri-La Avenue, 2 bus stops to the hotel; modern facilities, free parking, breakfast included; 180-280 yuan/night
• Jieluofu Mountain Hotel: in Dongbagu Scenic Area, 15 minutes by taxi to the museum; snowy mountain view, health care service, detached wooden house; 800-1200 yuan/night
VII. Precautions
▪ Admission and visit
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 (no admission at 16:30), closed on Mondays (except legal holidays), free registration with ID card.
• Cultural relics protection: Flash photography is prohibited in the indoor exhibition area, and do not touch Dongba ancient books, ** magic weapons and other exhibits.
• Explanation service: free regular explanation (10:00, 14:00), audio guide 20 yuan/set, it is recommended to make an appointment in advance on the official account.
▪Culture and safety
• Respect the customs of Naxi: ** Be quiet in the scene exhibition area and do not imitate the ritual movements at will.
• Altitude sickness: Lijiang is 2,400 meters above sea level. First-time arrivals should avoid strenuous exercise, drink more water, and prepare glucose oral solution.
• Traffic Tips: Take bus No. 8 and No. 11 to the "City Museum Station"; it takes about 15 minutes to walk to the museum in the ancient city, and it is recommended to travel lightly on the slate road.
▪Interactive experience and appointment
• Interactive projects: Dongba naming, text printing, etc. are free. Hand-made classes (Dongba writing, Jiama printing) need to be booked at the service desk 1 day in advance, and the cost is 30-50 yuan/person.
• Peak hours: It is recommended to arrive at the museum at off-peak times on holidays (less people from 9:00 to 10:00) to avoid queuing for experience projects.