Located at the northwest corner of Yunnan Province, Lijiang is a small peaceful town set in a valley and distinguished by an intricate system of narrow waters and canals. With an elevation of 2400 meters above sea level, the urban area covers 6 square kilometers.

Lijiang City mainly consists of minority regions - the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the north, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in the south, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in the west and Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province in the east. With a population of more than one million, the minority nationalities include Naxi, Yi, Lisu, and Bai, among others.

Lijiang is the political, economic and cultural centre of the northwestern Yunnan Province. It once was an essential stop on the Southern Silk Road and Tea-Horse Road leading to Tibet, Sichuan, India and other southeastern Asian countries. The city contains the only Naxi Autonomous Prefecture in China and is the home to Naxi ethnic group, who created a unique system of Dongba Culture throughout history. Dongba language is known as the only complete living pictography in the world. The prolific religious Lijiang Murals, or that Baisha Murals, testifies to the mystery of this culture. Additionally, the melodious Naxi Ancient Music, called 'Living Fossil of Music', has stepped out of the stage of China and won the acclaim of the whole world.

Lijiang provides the most unforgettable attractions in the world: Lijiang Old Town, Lake Lugu, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Spruce Plateau, White Water River, Dry Sea, Black Dragon Pool, Dieshui Water Fall, Lijiang Murals, First Bend of the Yangtze River, Lijiang Residential Houses… In 1997, Lijiang Old City was listed by the UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage. Recently, the tourism in Lijiang develops fast, and Lijiang has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in China.

Lijiang City comprises one district and four counties:
Gucheng District
Yongsheng County
Huaping County
Yulong Nakhi Autonomous County
Ninglang Yi Autonomous County