Timeline
18:01
Find a local tea house or cafe in the old town. The sun is still up, and the light is bright enough to see details clearly. Order something hot to keep warm as the evening approaches.
18:31
Take a taxi southeast toward the Jinsha River. The Gold Dragon Bridge is roughly 50km from the old town, so allow time for the journey. Check the route with your driver to ensure they know the way.
18:46
Arrive at the Gold Dragon Bridge. This iron chain suspension bridge is the oldest on the Yangtze still in use. Stand on the bank and watch the sun set toward the WSW. The golden light starts at 18:12, giving you a soft glow on the river and the bridge structure before the final moment of sunset at 18:46.
19:16
Stay by the river after the sun dips below the horizon. The air cools quickly, so keep your jacket close. This is a quiet moment to reflect on the history of the bridge, built between 1876 and 1880, before heading back to town.
Local tip
The bridge is far from the old town. Confirm taxi availability in advance, as return trips can be scarce late at night.
Check before you go
- Sunset is at 18:46 on Jan 15. Golden light begins at 18:12.
- The bridge is 50km from the old town. Plan your taxi ride accordingly.
- No opening hours apply to the bridge itself, but cafes in the old town will close early evening.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Lijiang (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).