Shuhe Old Town is a historic Naxi old town that earns its place as a see/do stop for Lijiang. The appeal is partly architectural and partly historical, with enough texture to reward travelers who like places where the past is still visible in stone, layout, or setting.
It works best when you give it time rather than dropping in between bigger sights. Walk around the exterior if access is limited, look for the details that show how the site was used, and use it as a quieter counterpoint to the busier parts of Lijiang.