The old town is entirely pedestrian — cars cannot enter Dayan's stone-paved lanes, which is one of the reasons the atmosphere survives. Everything within the old town is walkable; it takes about twenty minutes to cross end to end on foot.
Taxis are the main way to cover the distances between the old town, the new city, the airport, and the mountain sights. Fares are metered for shorter trips in town (¥10–20) and negotiated for longer runs (airport, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain). Didi (the Chinese ride-hailing app) works in Lijiang but requires a Chinese phone number or a Chinese account.
To Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: Tourist buses run from a dedicated transport hub north of the old town. This is the simplest way to reach the cable car bases; the alternative is a taxi. Admission and cable car tickets must be purchased in advance at the main ticket office, not at the mountain.
Electric golf carts carry luggage and less-mobile visitors through parts of the old town via designated routes. For most visitors these are unnecessary — the old town is small and the novelty wears off quickly.
Cycling is possible in the new city and on the valley roads, and some guesthouses hire out bikes. The old town itself is too crowded and cobblestoned for cycling once the day gets going.