Yunqi Resort Lijiang Review 2026: Budget Old Town Stay
Looking for an affordable stay in Lijiang Old Town? Read our 2026 review of Yunqi Resort, a hidden gem offering spacious rooms and a perfect location.
Loading...
Looking for an affordable stay in Lijiang Old Town? Read our 2026 review of Yunqi Resort, a hidden gem offering spacious rooms and a perfect location.

Welcome back to Yunnan, China! On my second trip to Lijiang, I learned a valuable lesson. While my previous hillside stay offered stunning views, dragging luggage up those steep, high-altitude paths was exhausting. For this 2026 trip, I prioritized convenience, choosing a highly walkable spot near the South Gate of Lijiang Old Town.
When it comes to Lijiang Old Town accommodations, big names like the InterContinental and Hotel Indigo dominate the luxury scene, but their prices can quickly eat into your travel budget.
I found a fantastic alternative just a stone's throw away: Yunqi Resort. At just ~$40 a night, the value is absolutely unbeatable. The rooms are incredibly spacious and pristine, making it an easy recommendation for any global explorer.
Yunqi Resort Lijiang Reviews & Special Offers 2026 | Trip.com
Location-wise, it's perfect. It's a mere 3-minute walk from Hotel Indigo and an 8-minute stroll to the bustling Zhongyi Market. It's the ultimate basecamp for exploring the ancient city's hidden gems.


Lijiang's historic cobblestone streets are beautiful but notorious for wrecking suitcase wheels. Here's a pro-tip: message the hotel on WeChat when you're nearing Hotel Indigo. They'll send a staff member with a traditional wooden cart to haul your luggage right to the lobby! This saved us so much hassle.
Since I don't speak fluent Mandarin, WeChat's built-in translation and ChatGPT were absolute lifesavers for communicating with the host.


Just a short walk from Hotel Indigo, Yunqi Resort welcomes you with its classic red wooden architecture. While the exterior screams traditional Chinese inn, the interior is a soothing, modern blend of crisp white and warm wood tones.
We arrived late at 10:00 PM, but the staff made check-in a breeze.


The property is built around a stunning open-air courtyard, spanning two floors. Like most historic inns in the Old Town, there are no elevators, but the incredible staff happily carried our bags up to our room.


The courtyard features a lovely seating area. The ambiance is magical at night, but it's even more breathtaking when bathed in daytime sunlight.

I originally booked the standard Sanjian Room via Trip.com. However, to my absolute delight, they offered us a complimentary room upgrade upon arrival!

I was wondering why the room felt so massive... We were upgraded to the Yunhe Room on the second floor. :)

Here's a detailed look at the upgraded Yunhe Room, which made our stay near the South Gate even more comfortable.
Stepping inside, you're greeted by a plush king-size bed on the right. There are convenient bedside outlets on both sides, making it easy to charge your devices overnight. A quick note for international travelers: the outlets here accommodate standard plugs without needing a bulky adapter, which was a pleasant surprise.


To the left, there's a cozy seating area with a small table, leading into a gorgeous open-concept bathtub space. Crucial tip: Make sure to close the wooden windows before going to sleep!
I left mine open the first night and woke up freezing, convinced the walls were paper-thin because I could hear every suitcase rolling down the cobblestones outside. Nope, just my own mistake! Once closed, the room is perfectly insulated and quiet.


The bathtub setup is incredibly aesthetic. Sadly, because we arrived late and had an early itinerary the next day, we didn't get to use it. It's hard to believe this was the most budget-friendly accommodation of our entire Lijiang trip—it feels so luxurious!

The room's layout features a spacious wardrobe and a desk in the center, with the sink and bathroom situated on the opposite side.



They provide plenty of hangers, an iron, and—to my absolute shock—a Dyson hairdryer! It made getting ready in the morning so much faster.

In true Chinese hospitality fashion, a beautiful tea set is provided for a relaxing evening brew.


But the absolute best perk? An in-room washing machine! If you're planning to tackle the Tiger Leaping Gorge or the Tea Horse Road treks, having a private washer to clean your hiking gear is a total game-changer. They even provide laundry detergent and fabric softener!


The bathroom is modern, with excellent water pressure and reliable hot water. The only minor downside is the lack of soft indoor slippers, but we just repurposed the provided bathroom sandals for walking around the room.
Complimentary breakfast is included, featuring simple, comforting items like sweet corn and boiled eggs. If you ask the staff, they'll whip up a fresh bowl of local rice noodles with a slightly spicy kick—it's the perfect way to warm up on a chilly Lijiang morning.
Yunqi Resort Lijiang Reviews & Special Offers 2026 | Trip.com
If you're planning a trip to Yunnan, China, I highly recommend checking out Yunqi Resort using the link above. For Lijiang Old Town accommodations, Trip.com consistently offers the widest selection and the most competitive prices, so it's my go-to platform for booking in this region.
Yunqi Resort is located near the South Gate of Lijiang Old Town, a 3-minute walk from Hotel Indigo and an 8-minute walk from Zhongyi Market. Since the ground is paved with stones, it can be difficult to drag a suitcase. If you contact them in advance via WeChat, a staff member will come to meet you with a cart.
Yes, there are outlets on both sides of the bed where you can plug in Korean plugs directly. Therefore, you can conveniently charge your electronic devices without needing to bring a separate transformer or adapter.
The Yunhe Room is equipped with a Dyson hairdryer and a bathtub, and it's great for doing laundry after trekking as there is a washing machine and detergent. However, separate indoor slippers are not provided, so you have to use the two provided bathroom slippers indoors.
You can book a one-night stay affordably in the ~$40 range. For breakfast, simple items like corn and eggs are provided, and upon request, the staff can also make you a spicy rice noodle soup that is perfect for the morning.

Discover why Yitel Premium is the ultimate budget-friendly hotel for groups of three in Shanghai, featuring prime location and comfortable family rooms.

Looking for the perfect base for your first Shanghai trip? Read our full review of the Elong Hotel, a modern gem right on Nanjing Road East.

Wondering where to stay in Beijing? Our 2026 review of Sunworld Hotel Wangfujing covers everything from renovated rooms to its unbeatable location.

Struggling to find a 3-person room in Beijing? Discover why The North Garden Hotel in Wangfujing is our top pick for family stays in 2026.

Looking for the perfect stay in Shanghai? Read our 2026 review of the Radisson Collection Hyland, featuring epic Nanjing Road access and a top-tier breakfast.

Discover the ultimate luxury stay in our JW Marriott Marquis Shanghai Pudong review. From panoramic Huangpu River views to a lavish breakfast buffet.