Chinese destinations become increasingly popular among Vietnamese tourists

With its majestic landscapes, rich ethnic cultures and immersive tourism experiences, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Old Town of Lijiang are becoming increasingly attractive to Vietnamese travellers, while also contributing to stronger tourism and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and China’s Yunnan province.

The Old Town of Lijiang and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in China’s Yunnan province are emerging as increasingly popular destinations among Vietnamese tourists, opening up new opportunities for tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Yunnan.

2.jpg
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain attracts tourists with its majestic scenery and mystical beauty, resembling a fairyland (Photo: VNA)

Located in Lijiang city, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is one of the world’s highest mountain ranges, with the Fanzi Dou peak rising 5,596 metres above sea level and remaining snow-capped year-round. Beyond its dramatic landscape, the mountain holds deep spiritual significance for the Naxi ethnic community, symbolising vitality, strength and community spirit.

The area features a diverse ecosystem ranging from tropical forests and pine woods to alpine meadows and glaciers, offering varied experiences for visitors. The mountain is also home to valuable medicinal herbs such as cordyceps, snow tea and snow lotus, enriching its ecotourism appeal. The scenery changes constantly throughout the day, from bright sunshine and drifting clouds to cold mist and mountain winds. During spring and early summer, around 40 species of rhododendrons and other wildflowers bloom across the mountain, creating colourful landscapes popular with tourists and photographers.

One of the most visited spots is Yunshanping Meadow at an altitude of 3,205 metres, regarded by the Naxi people as a sacred place associated with love. Last year alone, the site welcomed more than 23,000 Vietnamese visitors, reflecting its growing popularity. Tourists can also explore glaciers, alpine grasslands and pine forests, while the outdoor show “Impression of Lijiang” introduces the cultures of 16 ethnic minority groups living in the region.

Alongside Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Old Town of Lijiang remains a major cultural and historical attraction. More than 800 years old, the town sits peacefully at the foot of the mountain and is recognised as one of China’s four most famous ancient towns.

The town’s architecture blends Han, Tibetan and Bai influences, featuring traditional courtyard houses and narrow waterways that form the core of its urban layout. Historically, Lijiang served as an important cultural and commercial crossroads linking Yunnan with Tibet, India and other parts of Asia.

The "Impressions of Lijiang" show at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain features more than 500 local amateur actors (Photo: VNA)
The "Impressions of Lijiang" show at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain features more than 500 local amateur actors (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese visitors are particularly drawn to activities such as forest trekking, trying on ethnic costumes, learning traditional songs and dances, and exploring Dongba pictographic script, an intangible cultural heritage of the Naxi people.

He Chenghong, Director of the Marketing Centre under the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area Administration, said Vietnamese tourists accounted for a growing share of international visitors, most of whom travelled on package tours with direct flights to Lijiang.

He highlighted strong potential for tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Yunnan, noting that both sides possess distinctive natural and cultural attractions that complement each other. While Vietnamese destinations attract visitors from Yunnan with their UNESCO-recognised natural heritage sites, Yunnan appeals to Vietnamese tourists through its ethnic traditions and historic towns such as Lijiang.

Vietnamese tourist Le Thi Thuy Ngan described her first visit to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as a memorable experience, saying she was impressed by the snow-covered scenery, natural beauty and the mountain’s spiritual significance to the Naxi community.

With its majestic landscapes, rich ethnic cultures and immersive tourism experiences, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Old Town of Lijiang are becoming increasingly attractive to Vietnamese travellers, while also contributing to stronger tourism and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and China’s Yunnan province./.

en.vietnamplus.vn

Other News

Vietnam ranks among world's top 10 favourite countries in 2026

Vietnam ranks among world's top 10 favourite countries in 2026

Vietnam’s inclusion in the top 10 favourite countries in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards adds another important milestone to the country’s international tourism brand. The result not only underscores the destination’s appeal but also reflects growing international appreciation for Vietnam’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, cuisine and people.

ASIAD 20 prompts Vietnam to sharpen focus on key sports

ASIAD 20 prompts Vietnam to sharpen focus on key sports

Vietnam’s gold medals came from karate and sepak takraw, reaffirming its strengths in sports with established traditions and focused investment. Meanwhile, bronze medals in canoeing and teqball showed potential in events where Vietnamese athletes are gaining international experience.

International friends impressed by Vietnamese culture

International friends impressed by Vietnamese culture

As part of the second Cultures of the World Festival in Hanoi 2026, the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the festival organising committee, on October 2 hosted an international delegation on a tour of the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Doai Phuong commune.

Ta Xua named Asia's leading emerging tourism destination 2026

Ta Xua named Asia's leading emerging tourism destination 2026

In recent years, Ta Xua, dubbed "the paradise of clouds", has emerged as one of the mountainous destinations attracting strong interest from young travellers, particularly for its spectacular sea of clouds stretching across the mountains in the northwestern region.

Digital transformation key to preserving, promoting ethnic cultural values

Digital transformation key to preserving, promoting ethnic cultural values

Training local young people in filming, audio recording, digital storytelling, data preservation and responsible use of AI can help build a new generation of cultural custodians. This, in turn, can help transform cultural heritage into a resource for economic development while contributing to the country’s broader development.

Indigenous culture becomes tourism asset in northern highlands

Indigenous culture becomes tourism asset in northern highlands

With growing recognition of indigenous knowledge, customs and cultural values as unique assets, ethnic communities in the northern mountainous region are shifting from simply providing tourism services to becoming creators and owners of tourism products, confidently telling their own cultural stories

UNESCO ready to work with Vietnam to implement International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development initiative: Representative

UNESCO ready to work with Vietnam to implement International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development initiative: Representative

Jonathan Wallace Baker, UNESCO Representative to Vietnam, noted that the official proclamation of the 2027–2036 period as the "International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development" comes at a particularly important moment. As the international community works to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda while beginning to consider what comes after 2030, the Decade provides a ten-year framework to strengthen the place of culture in development.

Traditional culture finds new life in contemporary Vietnam

Traditional culture finds new life in contemporary Vietnam

Under Resolution 80-NQ/TW, dated January 7, 2026, November 24 was designated Vietnam Culture Day, to be observed annually. The occasion aims to give the public opportunities to participate in, create and enjoy cultural activities, helping spread positive values and foster pride in Vietnamese culture.

Vietnam prioritises MICE tourism as strategic product

Vietnam prioritises MICE tourism as strategic product

For the MICE tourism sector in both Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam, growth can no longer be driven merely by increasing the number of events; instead, the focus must shift to enhancing the value of each event and the competitiveness of each destination.

Potential of ethnic minority women's football

Potential of ethnic minority women's football

Women’s football movements in local communities have been quietly growing, but they’ve now built up enough momentum to inspire organisers to launch the first Vietnam Ethnic Minority Women’s Football – VTV Cup in 2026.