Lijiang Introduction
Lijiang, a popular tour destination in Yunnan, is regarded as a fairyland blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snow mountains and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of people. It is great to enjoy a quiet and pleasant holiday in Lijiang Old Town which is graced by well preserved ancient buildings and the Naxi culture
While the geographical position of Lijiang City is remote, it has the advantage of ensuring a pleasant year around climate and a wide variety of tourist resources in the 20,600 square kilometers area. The earliest recorded history of Lijiang can be traced back to the Warring States Period (476 BC-221 BC) but with the advent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the local economy reached a peak with the development of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road which made a great contribution to both commercial and cultural communication between Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.
At present, Lijiang City is an attractive tourist destination in Yunnan Province that exercises jurisdiction over four counties and an Old Town District. Lijiang is the main region inhabited by Naxi Group, one of China's 55 minority ethnic groups. In its long history, the local residents have established their splendid Dongba Culture which has absorbed aspects of the culture of Tibet and the Central Plains along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. The various souvenirs marked with these Dongba hieroglyphs are very popular with visitors from all over the world.
Streets of Lijiang Old Town
The city has the best preserved ancient town in China - the Old Town which has been listed in the World Cultural Heritages by UNESCO in 1997. The Old Town was once the center of Lijiang and continues to maintain the original flavor of the local lifestyle, the typical groups of buildings and the profound cultural heritage of the region. When wandering along Square Street or any other streets in the Old Town, you will be struck by the peaceful surroundings. From enjoying the sight of the setting sun from historic hotels to local farmsteads, there are many favorable things here for travelers. Naturally, there are a number of tour destinations to enhance your visit as well. Among them, the most famous is Mufu (Mu's Palace) which should not be missed during your trip.
Around Lijiang, there are a number of splendid natural beauty spots that will certainly astonish you. If you like to see superlative natural scenery, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain which provides a majestic backdrop to the Moon-Embracing Pavilion at Black Dragon Pond will fulfill your desire. For those seeking an exotic experience, a visit to the Mosuo People beside Lugu Lake is a must. They are called the last 'Kingdom of Women' on earth. If you want to experience the local lifestyle, why not come and participate in one or more of their various festivals that are held throughout the year.
The transportation in Lijiang
The transportation in Lijiang is better and better than years before. There are daily flights, trains and buses to and from Lijiang. It is quite convenient to get to Lijiang than years ago.
From ancient times, Lijiang has been the transportation hub for the Yunnan-Tibet and Yunnan-Sichuan routes, as well as an important passage for the southern overland Silk Road and the old tea-horse road. Furthermore, Lijiang’s transportation industry has mushroomed since the reform and opening up period in 1979. There are many direct flights between Lijiang and Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guiyang and other major cites in China. Now the Lijiang railways are under construction, tourists can choose Kunming Railway Station, Dali Railway Station or Sichuan Panshihua Railway Station from which to travel to Lijiang and it will surely be more convenient to travel to Lijiang in the near future after the finish of this railway network.