Why you will enjoy Club Med Lijiang
Club Med is a lifestyle travel brand known for its all-inclusive packages.
Late last month, I had the opportunity to visit Club Med Lijiang—my first Club Med experience. While the recommended length of stay is two to three nights, we stayed a total of five nights to thoroughly immerse ourselves in the resort, its services and facilities.
What is Club Med
Club Med, short for Club Méditerranée, is a lifestyle travel brand that operates beach and mountain resorts in often secluded but stunning locations worldwide. It is known for its all-inclusive packages, offering guests accommodations, meals, drinks, and various activities all bundled into one price.
Founded in 1950, Club Med pioneered the concept of the all-inclusive resort. Originally focused on Mediterranean destinations, it has since expanded to offer nearly 70 resorts in over 40 countries across the globe, including the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Club Med resorts typically feature a range of amenities such as swimming pools, sports facilities, entertainment, and kids' clubs. They cater to diverse guests, from families to couples to solo travellers, and offer activities like water sports, skiing, golf, and fitness classes.
Club Med's ethos is to provide a hassle-free vacation experience where guests can relax, have fun, and enjoy the natural beauty of their surroundings without fussing over the details.
Where is Club Med Lijiang
Club Med Lijiang is nestled at the foot of the spectacular Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China. Lijiang is renowned for its ancient architecture, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant cultural heritage, featuring the customs and traditions of the Chinese ethnic minority Naxi people.
At the heart of Lijiang lies the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, characterised by its intricate network of cobblestone streets, traditional Naxi architecture, and as many as 365 flowing canals.
Beyond the Old Town, outdoor enthusiasts can embark on adventures in the picturesque Lijiang, such as hiking, horseback riding, and exploring the quaint countryside dotted with traditional villages and terraced fields.
Pros of Club Med Lijiang
1. One price for an all-inclusive holiday
The biggest selling point of Club Med Lijiang is, of course, that you only pay one price, and your accommodation, meals, and activities (except on-demand activities like spa and excursions) are covered. You literally don’t have to worry about anything and can just indulge in your stay. The concept is rather similar to being on a cruise, except you’re on land and are free to explore the vicinity.
2. Spacious rooms that cater to different needs
For the rooms, you can choose between Superior, Deluxe and Suite. Sized from 40 to 80 square metres with enough space for up to 6 people, all rooms have a balcony or a terrace for you to chill and lepak.
The Suite offers an amazing view of the eternally snow-capped peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is great if you want to enjoy the scenery within the comfort of your room. If the Suite is out of your budget but you still want a good panorama, certain Deluxe rooms also offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Families can also choose connecting rooms or go for Lego-themed rooms to keep the young ones entertained. For families with newborns, a baby cot is available upon request (pre-booked) and you’ll be greeted with a Club Med Baby Welcome Kit that provides everything necessary for your baby’s wellbeing.
3. Stuff yourself silly
For the foodies, you can rest assured that you will never go hungry at Club Med Lijiang, which offers local specialities and international cuisine. Most of your meals are served buffet-style at Baisha Restaurant, starting with breakfast from 7:30am to 10am. Can't wake up in time? Go for a late breakfast at Dayan Bar between 10am and 12pm. Then, there's lunch from 12pm to 2pm. Or you can skip lunch and enjoy some high tea at Dayan Bar from 4pm to 6:30pm. But don't forget to save some stomach space for dinner from 6:30pm to 9pm. Hungry would not be in your dictionary.
While the breakfast spread was monotonous—how varied can breakfast be, right?—the lunch and dinner spread were impressive. As the menu changes every day, you can savour local delicacies like Yunnan Rice Noodles, Fried Yunnan Chick Peas Jelly, and Yunnan Dai Style Pineapple Rice, and international dishes like foie gras, black truffle and a variety of seafood.
Those with a sweet tooth should not miss their desserts, featuring a range of artisanal cakes and ice cream. Admittedly, most of the time I was too full even to try the mouthwatering cakes. Its separate location from the main buffet area did not help; it was easy to forget or miss the dessert section. But luckily, you can indulge in these sweet delights during the high tea session too.
4. A variety of family-friendly activities
Couples who want to enjoy their own time can use Club Med Lijiang’s Petit Club Med. This on-demand childcare service provides your little ones with fun-packed activities that aid in their learning and hone their social skills. You can indulge in your vacation stress-free, knowing that your kids will be well taken care of.
But if you want to have some family bonding time, Club Med Lijiang also offers the Amazing Family! Programme. The family-oriented programme has a variety of activities each day with different objectives. From family hikes to board games to cultural activities like Dongba writing (pictographic glyphs used by Naxi people) and Batik tie and dye, it will surely be a vacation filled with lasting memories.
In addition, you can enjoy a splashing good time at the indoor heated water park and work up some sweat at the sports hall for badminton, basketball, wall climbing, and more. Otherwise, you can also head outdoors for tennis, archery, and nature hikes. Personally, I enjoyed the morning walk (intermediate course) that gave me picturesque views of the resort, the iconic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the nearby village.
Cons of Club Med Lijiang
1. No direct flight from Singapore to Lijiang
A major deterrence to visiting Club Med Lijiang—or Lijiang in general—is the flight. At the time of writing, there is no direct flight from Singapore to Lijiang. You can only do a transfer, either from another city in China, such as Shanghai or Guangzhou, or from another country, such as Thailand (Bangkok).
When transferring, it is also best to allocate more time (around three to five hours) between flights in case of flight delays or long waiting times during check-in and immigration. I'm speaking from experience as I only had about one and a half hours between my flights when returning to Singapore. Unfortunately, my flight to Lijiang was delayed for about an hour, and I couldn't get on my plane to Singapore at Shanghai in time.
This was also the moment when I was glad that I had bought travel insurance. Although I didn't incur any additional costs since the airline covered my new flight ticket, one night of accommodation and airport transfer, I felt safer knowing my travel insurance would reimburse my expenses due to a missed flight. Depending on the travel insurance you purchase, you can also get a sum for the amount of time you are stranded.
2. No well-connected public transport
As Lijiang is not a major city, the public transport system is not as established. The buses and trains cater mainly within the city, but on the outskirts and near the mountains, including Club Med Lijiang, your best transport choice is the taxi. Getting a taxi is not an easy feat though. You’ll have to rely on ride-hailing and navigation apps like DiDi, Gaode Map and Baidu Map. Otherwise, you can arrange a private airport transfer with Club Med Lijiang or sign up for their excursions to explore nearby tourist hotspots (extra charges apply).
3. Huge compound
As the entire Club Med Lijiang covers a wide area, I was rather lost on my first few days. It would be great to have an interactive map that shows where you are and the surrounding facilities. It also took me some time to locate the archery field, which is at a small corner outdoors, and the swimming pool, which is located past the changing rooms.
There are also eight buildings for guest rooms, which means getting from your room to the lobby or the restaurant can be quite a distance. You’ll have to account for this walking time when joining timed activities. These buildings are also not connected indoors, so you’ll have to brave the cold or the drizzle (if you don't have an umbrella) as you get around.
Overall, my first Club Med experience at Lijiang was fairly interesting. It is easy to get drawn into the luxurious lifestyle that Club Med offers, with well-rounded hospitality and services and friendly and lively staff, better known as Gentle Organiser (G.O.). To get the latest updates and weekly programmes of Club Med Lijiang, it is also best to add their account on WeChat (search Club Med Lijiang).
Check airfare here: Skyscanner | Trip.com | Expedia
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