Lijiang includes the heritage site of Lijiang Ancient Town as well as picturesque nearby surroundings. In 1998, Lijiang Ancient Town was inscribed into the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Commission of the UNESCO. The Commission called it 'an exceptional ancient town set in a dramatic landscape which represents the harmonious fusion of different cultural traditions to produce an urban landscape of outstanding quality.

      Lijiang tourism's development has expanded Lijiang's opening to the outside world.Tourism in the urban economic development in the industry, position, and gradually increase the economic role of the tourism industry to boost the urban economy, social employment, driving force, as well as the promotion of the role of culture and the environment becomes increasingly obvious. Tourism is a pillar of China's economic development industries.

  Lijiang has rich tourism resources, such as magnificent mountains and rivers, numerous nationalities, long history and brilliant culture. The city has more than 104 tourism scenic spots, the most representative are: "two mountains, one town, one lake, one river, one culture, one amorous feelings".

  "Two mountains", that are, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain which is the nearest modern glacier in the northern hemisphere toward the equator, and Laojun Mountain which is famous for the legend related to the very high lord. "One town", that is, the Lijiang Old Town, which is the state-level historical and cultural city, having 800 years history, and is the most complete and the most Naxi style ancient town in China. "One river", that is, the Jinsha River, with breathtaking and magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge as a representative, and the First Bend of the Yangtze River, Shigu Town, Baoshan Stone Town, and other attractions. "One lake" is known as "plateau pearl", "Oriental first wonders" Lugu Lake. "One culture", that is, the Naxi Dongba Culture. "One amorous feelings" is the "Women Country's Mosuo amorous feelings.