Review: Inside Club Med Lijiang, a quaint sanctuary made for slow travel enthusiasts

Upon entering the lobby, you’re greeted with one of the main highlights of Lijiang, and the resort—the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It serves as the picture perfect backdrop, especially during sunrises and sunsets.

Club Med Lijiang has three different types of rooms—Superior, Deluxe, and Suite.

If space and views are non-negotiables for you as a traveller, opt for their Suite, the largest and most spacious out of the three categories. Spanning 70 square metres, the room features a living space that’s beautifully decorated with Naxi upholstery and decor, a separate bedroom, as well as an elaborated balcony that faces the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Talk about getting vantage views.

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Those with families can opt for its Family Deluxe Room. It is complete with two en-suite sleeping areas and a private balcony, ideal for parents who want privacy while staying close.

For couples or friends, the Superior and Deluxe Rooms are generous enough. At 40 square metres each, they come with plush amenities, similar Naxi decor, as well as balconies with scenic views.

Within walking distance is Amaze, a campsite created by Club Med for cultural immersion. Here, you’ll find an array of engaging activities, such as Baisha art restoration, a hands-on activity where you can create your very own artwork from an artist known to restore murals in the Mogao caves; as well as pottery classes, where you get to make your very own ‘瓦猫’, a tile cat figurine believed by locals to protect your homes. These are all available upon request at Club Med Lijiang’s Excursions Office.

For an authentic, localised experience, head to Baisha Ancient Town, a Unesco protected site that’s ten minutes away by car from Club Med Lijiang. Here, the rich culture from 16 different minority tribes truly shines: stores spotlight on Naxi embroideries, coffee joints make special native brews, tea houses offer pu’er tea grown only in the Yunnan province, shops selling silver jewellery handmade by local artisans.

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If you’re all about the thrill, you can achieve that at Club Med Lijiang as well. There are exclusive summer excursions, such as the Summer Mushroom Harvest Adventure (where you get to learn the difference between edible and poisonous fungi, and forage those that are safe to eat for lunch), Yuechen Outdoor Kayaking (where you get to paddle across the crystal clear Namei Lake), and Outdoor ATV Off-Road Adventure (where you get to navigate an ATV through terrains)—though they come with an additional cost.

Prefer something more relaxing? Visit Club Med Spa, realised in partnership with Ahava. Known for using mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea, the Club Med Spa by Ahava helps to release discomforts by using ingredients known for purification and detoxification. Our recommendation is the Majestic Dead Sea Experience, a two-and-a-half hour long treatment that promises to rejuvenate your body and revitalise your soul.

One activity that you must spend your money on: Impression Lijiang, a 50-minute long show directed by renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou. This spectacle, which tells a story of the daily lives, traditions, and spiritual connection of local ethnic minorities to their land, is performed by a cast from over 40 ethnic groups in China. This is one of seven ‘Impression’ shows by Zhang.

Club Med Lijiang’s gastronomic offerings pay homage to their local culture. Its main dining hall, the Baisha, is named after the protected old town of Baisha. This buffet-styled restaurant serves as a culinary haven for their guests’ main three meals. It has quite a spread—with cuisines ranging from Chinese and Indonesian to American and European, and is changed up daily so that nothing gets repetitive. Oh, the ‘Club Med’ nuggets are highly recommended by their staff.

The resort’s main watering hole, called Dayan, is a tribute to the former moniker of Lijiang Ancient City. It offers a selection of classics, like Negroni, Aperol Spritz, and Whisky Sour; signature drinks, such as the Dong Ba Tea, a gin-based delight comprising peach tea, passion fruit syrup, and lemon juice; as well as a wide variety of baijiu (the ‘Jin Hui Shi Ba Nian’ and ‘Collection Shede 8-year Edition’ are their most popular types) that can be requested by demand. Pro tip: you can order classic cocktails that’re off-the-menu—as long as they have the proper ingredients for it.

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If you’re one who’s toying on the idea of slow travel, but does not want to compromise on comfort, Club Med Lijiang is perfect for you. The all-inclusive experience means you can truly immerse yourself in the rich Naxi culture without having to worry about any logistical details.

Apart from the nearby Baisha Ancient Town, you can venture out to two other Unesco protected sites—Lijiang Old Town and Shuhe Ancient Town. You can also choose to hike up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, if you’re feeling adventurous.

Here’s what we’ll do again the next time we’re back at Club Med Lijiang: stargaze. Lijiang is known for its clear, unsoiled skies to observe the stunning, sparkly spectacle. Just lay down on the field and admire the stars—this is the true poetry of slow travel.

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