Lijiang Ancient City

Located in the northwest plateau of Yunnan Province with an altitude of 2,400m, Lijiang Ancient City was built in the Southern Song Dynasty, dated back to more than eight hundred years ago. It takes Jinsha River and Lishui River as its soul, with the zigzag streets, lanes, high and short civil residents and the quiet bridge as well as flowing water forming the harmonious unity of human, building and natural environment. Three rivers come through the ancient city. The Yuquan River water from the foot of Xiangshan Mountain winds into the City in middle, eastern and western branches and then divides into numerous branches surrounding streets and residential buildings. The comfortable and peaceful living style of the local people in the ancient city is most haunting for people. A lot of small courtyards and houses are built by the river. The ancient style building of earth and wooden structure takes Han, Bai and Naxi styles into one, and integrates with arts and pragmatism. In addition, various flowers are planted in the courtyards, making each courtyard a small garden.

When you come to the beautiful Lijiang Ancient City, the Naxi people here will let you experience the strong Nanxi folk culture. The wise Naxi ancestors created the ancient and mysterious Dongba culture and also created the splendid plateau civilization. Dongba characters, the “only live hieroglyph in the current world”, the primitive and lingering Dongba music, and the mysterious Dongba ancient religion all display the unique, marvelous and distinctive features of Naxi minority.