Wangu Pavilion
Wangu Pavilion
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
87 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
42
Average
23
Poor
1
Terrible
0
HKDave
Hong Kong, China339 contributions
Dec 2010 • Solo
This pagoda on the top of Lion Hill is the best place to get a good view of the rooftops of Lijiang Old Town and also of the new Lijiang town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It’s a bit of a climb up the hill to the entrance which costs 15RMB (if you show your Old Town preservation receipt it is free – I unfortunately left mine in the guest house). The pavilion is in some landscaped grounds which I didn’t pay much attention too, instead heading straight for the stairs up. There is no lift so you will need to climb approximately 5 storeys to get to the top –it’s worth it. The top level has windows on all sides so you can get a great view. When I was there it was pretty quiet and I and another photographer set up our camera tripods for some great shots through the open windows. You will realize how big the old town really is from this vantage point.
As the previous reviewer suggested, avoid the monk at the base of the stairs if you don’t want to part with your cash. There’s a similar “scam” at the Black Dragon Pool Park.
As the previous reviewer suggested, avoid the monk at the base of the stairs if you don’t want to part with your cash. There’s a similar “scam” at the Black Dragon Pool Park.
Written June 28, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kathysjourneys
Aptos, CA263 contributions
Our family of four (2 adults, and 2 children ages 7 and 10) visited Wangu Pavilion during our 3-night stay in Lijiang. The Pavilion is at the top of Lion Hill within the Old Town district. It has the appearance of an older building, but it was constructed in 1997, the year that Lijiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We enjoyed hiking up to to the Pavilion. For a fabulous view of all of the grey rooftops in Old Town, there is a large patio viewing area right inside the entrance to Lion Hill Park. (Like many other places in and around Lijiang, the fee to get into the Park was covered by our Old Town ticket, which we had purchased from our hotel for about $12.) Continuing upward, we stopped to make a wish and ring the Dongba Aspiration Windbell. The Pavilion is five stories high and has a staircase that zig-zags to the top. The windows are enclosed all around at the top, but there are wonderful views of both Old Town and the more modern part of Lijiang.
There are two pagodas behind the Pavilion, where you can ring a giant bell and beat a huge drum (we did so quietly). I would have given the Wangu Pavilion more stars except for what happened next.
A woman came over and gave us 2 ribbons, saying that we would receive a "blessing" inside the building to our right (facing away from the Pavilion). Something about her actions triggered our "scam" radar, and we asked if it cost money; she insisted that it was "free." We entered and found a man in monk's clothing, who motioned for us to sit across from him at a small table. He held our ribbons together, lit some incense, and said some things in Chinese. Then he slipped a bracelet with wooden beads over my husband's wrist and said many more words. We were almost seduced into thinking that this was a real spiritual moment. Then, the monk wrote the number "100" on a piece of paper, and motioned that he wanted some money. He refused to take the 10 Yuan that we offered, and he kept pointing to the 100 (100 Yuan was about $15). In the end, we gently refused to pay, and we gave him back him bracelet.
Somehow a scam wrapped in spiritual clothing seems even worse than a regular scam, and it tainted my experience at the Wangu Pavilion.
We enjoyed hiking up to to the Pavilion. For a fabulous view of all of the grey rooftops in Old Town, there is a large patio viewing area right inside the entrance to Lion Hill Park. (Like many other places in and around Lijiang, the fee to get into the Park was covered by our Old Town ticket, which we had purchased from our hotel for about $12.) Continuing upward, we stopped to make a wish and ring the Dongba Aspiration Windbell. The Pavilion is five stories high and has a staircase that zig-zags to the top. The windows are enclosed all around at the top, but there are wonderful views of both Old Town and the more modern part of Lijiang.
There are two pagodas behind the Pavilion, where you can ring a giant bell and beat a huge drum (we did so quietly). I would have given the Wangu Pavilion more stars except for what happened next.
A woman came over and gave us 2 ribbons, saying that we would receive a "blessing" inside the building to our right (facing away from the Pavilion). Something about her actions triggered our "scam" radar, and we asked if it cost money; she insisted that it was "free." We entered and found a man in monk's clothing, who motioned for us to sit across from him at a small table. He held our ribbons together, lit some incense, and said some things in Chinese. Then he slipped a bracelet with wooden beads over my husband's wrist and said many more words. We were almost seduced into thinking that this was a real spiritual moment. Then, the monk wrote the number "100" on a piece of paper, and motioned that he wanted some money. He refused to take the 10 Yuan that we offered, and he kept pointing to the 100 (100 Yuan was about $15). In the end, we gently refused to pay, and we gave him back him bracelet.
Somehow a scam wrapped in spiritual clothing seems even worse than a regular scam, and it tainted my experience at the Wangu Pavilion.
Written September 1, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aging2016
Wilmington, NC120 contributions
Jun 2018 • Business
This Pavilion is at the top of a small mountain. It is a bit of a climb but well worth it. Regretfully (or thankfully) it was closed for repairs so we could not climb up all 5 stories. The setting is relaxed and park-like. It is a delightful hike and we passed many interesting shops on the way up and back down..
Written August 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lauremm m
New York City, NY468 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
if you manage to find it, there is a direct way from the Mu palace to the Wangu Pavillion, a nice pagoda in the middle of refreshing pine trees with a great view on the gray roofs of the old town. . it is quiet too...
Written October 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FANOOR
Hong Kong, China56 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
Fantastic views of Lijiang and the mountains surrounding the area. The Tower is also a temple and offers further views. Go there in the early hours of the morning to avoid crowds.
Written October 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheOExpress🏴🇭🇰
Hong Kong, China6,156 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
This is just behind the Mufu Palace but requires another 50RMB ticket, which many will decide against. They'll be missing out but their loss makes this all the more a tranquil place to wander round and see across the city. The pagoda at the too is very impressive on the outside, as are the accompanying smaller buildings, but the interior's two middle floors were being renovated. Still, climbing to the last accessible floor for superb views over Lijiang is a must. Other highlights include a walkway covered in gently swaying, tinkling bells and gradually ascending/descending paths through the trees (much better than the stairs).
Written August 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mysurp
Sandnes, Norway98 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Nice view of the entire Lijiang city and the mountains from the top floor on the pavilion. The building is only a few years old and there are paintings on display along the wall on each floor as you ascend. The surrounding buildings seem a bit of a mess and lack maintenance, though they are very easy to skip as the attraction here is the view.
Makes a nice detour while strolling around the old town, but isn't worth going too far out of your way to reach.
Makes a nice detour while strolling around the old town, but isn't worth going too far out of your way to reach.
Written September 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary Frances S
Toronto, Canada277 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
a beacon of protections and good fortune and a view of the rooftops of the old town. Smokey from all the farmer's fires.
Written March 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FANOOR
Hong Kong, China56 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
The tower is a major icon visible from Lijiang Old Town, and holds a temple within which is interesting. The surrounding park offers great views of Lijiang's roofscape and surrounding mountains, and peace from the crowd down below. Great old trees rise majestically overhead, and the area is good to just sit back and enjoy the peaceful side of Lijiang. Go there early morning or late evening.
Written October 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AvidHolidayMum
Singapore, Singapore132 contributions
Oct 2011
We walked up Lion Hill, on the left of the main Sifang (Square) Street of Lijiang Old Town to get to WanGu Lou (pagoda). There are small shops dotted on the way. The Old Town Preservations Ticket does not cover the entrance fee and we had to pay a small amount to get in. Note that the toilet at the entrance is horrendous - just a tiled gutter with no water and soap for washing hands - plus it stinks. I suggest you use a toilet somewhere else.
At the pagoda, it is another 4 flights of stairs up to the top floor where you'll be rewarded with a view of the town. You'll be able to see how big the old town is (from the old classic style grey roofs) and the new town (with non uniform roofs) next to it.
There is nothing much in the pagoda itself except paintings and Chinese calligraphy for sale at the different floors. There is an altar on the ground floor for those who wish to light an incense to pray. The pagoda itself is well maintained with beautiful vivid ceilings and wooden beams.
After we returned to Sifang Square at around 2 p.m., we saw Naxi women dancing in the Sifang (Square) Street with some local tourists joining in. Lovely to watch.
At the pagoda, it is another 4 flights of stairs up to the top floor where you'll be rewarded with a view of the town. You'll be able to see how big the old town is (from the old classic style grey roofs) and the new town (with non uniform roofs) next to it.
There is nothing much in the pagoda itself except paintings and Chinese calligraphy for sale at the different floors. There is an altar on the ground floor for those who wish to light an incense to pray. The pagoda itself is well maintained with beautiful vivid ceilings and wooden beams.
After we returned to Sifang Square at around 2 p.m., we saw Naxi women dancing in the Sifang (Square) Street with some local tourists joining in. Lovely to watch.
Written November 22, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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