Lijiang has crowds but also a high photo hit rate. This guide marks 9 camera positions with crowd-dodging times and angles. Best photo windows: 7:30-9:00am and 4:30-6:00pm golden hour.
9 spots: ① 丽江古城 front — the classic; arrive before 8am; ② 玉龙雪山 45-degree side — dodges crowds behind; ③ 蓝月谷 — architecture as foreground; ④ 大研古城 old street — street photography; ⑤ 束河 modern buildings — urban feel; ⑥ 白沙 cultural zone — vintage vibe; ⑦ waterfront — natural scenery; ⑧ hilltop observatory — panoramic; ⑨ night spot — city lights.
Gear tips: ① Wide-angle for big scenes; ② Polarizing filter to cut glare; ③ White or light-colored clothes photograph cleanest; ④ Avoid fluorescent colors; ⑤ Bring flip-flops — some spots require wading. Lijiang weather shifts fast — check satellite images an hour before.