Lion Hill in Lijiang

Lion Hill (狮子山, Shīzi Shān), historically known as Huangshan (黄山, Huángshān), is located in the heart of Lijiang Old Town (丽江古城, Lìjiāng Gǔchéng), within the Gucheng District (古城区, Gǔchéng Qū) of Lijiang, Yunnan Province (云南省, Yúnnán Shěng), China. As an integral part of the Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江古城, Lìjiāng Gǔchéng), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, Lion Hill is a major scenic spot in a national-level scenic area. The hill is named after its lion-shaped form, with the ancient town built around its base. It is considered the best vantage point for viewing the panoramic beauty of Lijiang Ancient Town.

Lion Hill, due to its resemblance to a crouching lion, complements the Elephant Hill (象山, Xiàng Shān) and Black Dragon Pool (黑龙潭, Hēi Lóng Tán), forming the famous "Lion Plays with Elephant" (狮戏卧象, Shīxì Wò Xiàng) scene, one of Lijiang's scenic highlights.

Features

Lion Hill covers an area of 15 hectares, with lush greenery and birdsong filling the air. The hill is home to over 40 ancient cypress trees (柏树, Bǎi Shù) that are around 800 years old, and its forest coverage reaches 90%. At the summit of the hill stands the magnificent Wangu Tower (万古楼, Wàn Gǔ Lóu), a five-story wooden structure that is a symbol of Lijiang. From this tower, visitors can gaze upon the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山, Yùlóng Xuěshān) to the north, the Lijiang Old Town to the east, the vibrant New Town (丽江新城, Lìjiāng Xīnchéng) to the west, and the picturesque Naxi villages to the south.

Other attractions on the hill include the Chongcui Pavilion (重翠亭, Chóngcuì Tíng), Tianchi (天池, Tiāngchí), and the Three Eight Forest (三八林, Sān Bā Lín) and Model Worker Forest (劳模林, Láo Mó Lín), which honor various historical and cultural contributions. Visitors can enjoy a scenic walk through the "Three Eyes Well" (三眼井, Sān Yǎn Jǐng), a historic water source that is closely linked to the daily life of the ancient town's residents.

History

Lion Hill has a deep historical significance. It was originally created by the British between 1882 and 1883 as an artificial water reservoir for the city of Lijiang. The hill was named after its lion-shaped profile, and the hill and surrounding area have been home to many key historical and cultural events over the centuries. The Wangu Tower, which stands at 33 meters tall, was built in traditional Naxi architectural style and serves as a landmark for the town.

In 1960, the Second Far East Regional Scout Conference was held at Inyale Camp on Inya Lake, with events like the First Far East Professional Scouters Training Conference being held nearby.

The hill is also linked to some significant moments in Lijiang’s cultural history. On 16 March 1988, during the pro-democracy protests in Myanmar, students were met with violence near Inya Lake, which lies close to the hill. This tragic event, and others, have been memorialized in local stories and poems.

Entrance Tickets

• Ticket Price: ¥35 for entrance to Lion Hill (The Mu Mansion (木府, Mù Fǔ) ticket is ¥40)
• Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:00

Location and Address

• Location: Lion Hill, Lijiang Ancient Town, Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China
• Address: Xinhua Street (新华街, Xīn Huá Jiē), Gucheng District (古城区, Gǔchéng Qū), Lijiang

How to Get There (Transportation)

• Walking: The hill is easily accessible on foot from the ancient town. Most visitors choose to walk through the charming streets of Lijiang Old Town to reach the base of the hill.
• Public Transport: Local buses and taxis can take you close to the entrance.

Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: The best months to visit are from March to October, when the weather is more temperate and conducive for hiking and outdoor exploration.
• Clothing: Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to hike up to Wangu Tower, as the path includes stone steps and steep ascents.
• Photography: The hill and the views from the tower offer some of the best photo opportunities in Lijiang, especially with the backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
• Cultural Etiquette: Be respectful of the local Naxi culture, especially when visiting historical or sacred sites such as the Wancheng Palace (文昌宫, Wénchāng Gōng) and Double Stone Garden (双石花园, Shuāng Shí Huā Yuán).

Wangu Tower (万古楼, Wàn Gǔ Lóu)

Wangu Tower (万古楼, Wàn Gǔ Lóu) is a five-story, wooden structure located at the peak of Lion Hill (狮子山, Shīzi Shān), offering panoramic views of the Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江古城, Lìjiāng Gǔchéng), the surrounding Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山, Yùlóng Xuěshān), and nearby picturesque villages. This tower is a significant symbol of the Naxi (纳西族, Nàxī Zú) culture and is the tallest and most iconic structure in Lijiang.

Architectural Features

Wangu Tower stands at 33 meters tall, with 16 wooden columns that reach 22 meters into the sky. This wooden structure is unique for its dougong (斗拱, dǒu gǒng) design, a traditional Chinese building technique using interlocking wooden brackets. It is regarded as the first structure in China with dougong columns that do not connect but rather rise freely, symbolizing the harmonious connection between humans and nature.

The design of the tower is deeply symbolic, with the number 16 representing good fortune in the Naxi culture, reflecting the idea of "doubling good fortune" (好事成双, hǎo shì chéng shuāng). The dougong columns symbolize the unity of the Naxi people, who are said to have created a beautiful world together. Inside the tower, over 2,300 auspicious patterns decorate the walls, and the tower’s roof is adorned with nearly 10,000 dragon motifs (龙图案, lóng tú'àn), reflecting Lijiang's rich cultural heritage.

Tourist Information

• Opening Hours: Year-round, 08:30 - 18:30 (latest entry at 18:00)
• Ticket Price: ¥28
• Location: The tower is situated at the peak of Lion Hill in Lijiang Ancient Town, Yunnan Province, China.
• Ideal Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Travel Guide

To reach Wangu Tower, visitors can hike up the stone steps from Sifang Street (四方街, Sìfāng Jiē), which will take approximately 30 minutes. Along the way, you can enjoy scenic views of Lijiang. From the tower, you can admire stunning views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山, Yùlóng Xuěshān) to the north, the Lijiang Ancient Town to the east, and the vibrant Lijiang New City (丽江新城, Lìjiāng Xīnchéng) to the west.