Lijiang: Baisha Village Frescoes, Yufeng Temple & Naxi Heritage Day Tour

Baisha was the Naxi capital before Lijiang, and remains its most authentic village. Morning: Baisha Frescoes — 50+ Buddhist murals painted 1385-1619 fusing Tibetan, Han, Naxi, and Bai artistic traditions, considered Yunnan's most important religious art. Continue to Yufeng Lamasery, home to the 'King of Camellia Trees' — a 500-year-old camellia that produces 20,000+ blossoms each spring. Lunch at a Baisha Naxi household. Afternoon: visit Dr. Ho's clinic, the famous Naxi herbalist featured in Bruce Chatwin's writing (still operated by the Ho family), and end at a Dongba shaman cultural museum to see the world's only living pictographic script. Return to Lijiang Old Town for sunset.

Skip touristy Lijiang Old Town for Baisha — the original Naxi capital with 600-year frescoes, Yufeng's 500-year camellia, and Dr. Ho's herbal clinic.