A canal with flowers
Lijiang is the old capital city of the Tea Road; for centuries it was the central bazaar where Tibetan and Han traders negotiated for their products. It’s at the bottom of Himalayas and Qinghai – Tibet plateau; you can feel the fresh air at an altitude of 2,000 meters. It’s surrounded with mountains, rivers and lakes. Besides of its amazing landscapes, it’s known also by its rich culture.
One of hundreds canals in Lijiang
More than 20 different ethnic minorities live in Lijiang, amongst them are Naxi, Bai, Tibetan, Puma, Yi , Lisu, Miao people. Each of them have their own traditions and the different colors and styles of dresses fill the car-free cobblestone street of the old city.
Local people from Lijiang
In 1997, Lijiang was the first Chinese hill town listed in the World Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO.
Street view from old Lijiang
Old women of Lijiang
Old way of transporting merchandise
Together with its picturesque landscapes, the arts and architecture of this town are fabulous. They are the masters of Dongba scripts, drawings depicting the Naxi culture. When I returned back home, my Chinese teacher asked me whether I listened to Naxi music. `Of course` I told her, almost everyday I witnessed live music performance of ethnic people on the border of the canals.
Old Naxi Scripts
Famous Wall Scripts in Lijiang
When you enter into the old city, the first thing that you notice is the numerous stone bridges embellishing the canals of Lijiang. Another interesting thing: there are many shops where you can rent one of the beautiful Lijiang dresses, there you wear your costume and do your make-up and then a photographer takes your picture on one of the 350 bridges. Nice souvenir!
Pose For
Another Pose
Thanks to its nature Lijiang kitchen uses lots of mushrooms or jun zi… really delicious in the hot pots!
Famous Mushrooms
Kublai Khan arrived to this city and drank water from this well…
Kublai Khan Well in Lijiang
You must absolutely visit Black Dragon Pool Park (hei long tan) , just 15-20 minutes of walk after you exit from the Old Town. It’s a relaxing place located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. You can climb to Elephant Hill if you want to see an overview of old and new city. Or you can visit the Naxi Culture center to listen their songs.
Black dragon pool park
This is not particular to Lijiang but my favorite toys, remembers me the Far East Asia 🙂
My favorite!
And don’t forget, life is full of surprises… you can not know when and where you can see a white camel. Sometimes you should switch your path from main streets to side streets 🙂
What is this?
Shabby In My Bag 