The Old Town and the new town are walkable end to end, but the Old Town sits on a hill and you will notice the altitude on the climbs. Taxis are cheap and useful for getting between the Old Town and the bus station or for trips out to Songzanlin Monastery.
For day trips beyond the immediate area — Napa Lake, Pudacuo, Shika Snow Mountain, Baishuitai, Tiger Leaping Gorge — your options are an organised half-day or full-day tour from a guesthouse, a hired car with driver, or a chartered taxi for the day. Public buses run to some destinations (Songzanlin, the airport) but the schedules are inflexible. A car with driver for the day typically costs 400–600 yuan and is the practical option for most travellers without their own vehicle.