Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture

Opening Hours 08:00~17:00

Ticket price: free of charge, but visitors need to pay the entrance fee of Lijiang Old Town first, which is CNY 80 per person

The Lijiang Dongba Museum, situated in the northern vicinity of Black Dragon Pool Park and within a 10-minute stroll from Lijiang’s Old Town, has been a custodian of cultural heritage since its establishment in 1984. Originally named the Lijiang Museum, it attained its current designation in 1999. Boasting a collection exceeding 12,000 cultural artifacts, including 2,500 precious items showcasing traditional Naxi minority culture, the museum serves as a vital guardian and promoter of the enigmatic Dongba culture of the Naxi people.

The origins of the Naxi people, a Tibetan-Burmese ethnic group, are steeped in historical intrigue. Legend has it that Naxi settlers in the Lijiang region migrated southward, possibly compelled by the advance of Mongol tribes during the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty in 1271. Positioned along the Chama trade route, Naxi towns fostered cultural exchanges with various ethnic groups, including Tibetans, Han Chinese, and the Bai people of the Dali area. Notably, Baisha Town, located approximately 6 kilometers south of the museum, emerged as a prominent center along this ancient trade route.