Ancient Charm: Lijiang Old Town

Lijiang Old Town, located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, is one of the best-preserved ancient minority towns in China. It attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique Naxi culture, ancient architecture, and magnificent natural scenery. During our three-day, two-night trip to Lijiang Old Town, we experienced the history and culture of this ancient city and felt its profound ethnic charm and unique natural scenery. Day 1: Strolling through the Old Town, Exploring Naxi Culture Our journey began with our arrival at Lijiang Airport in the morning. After leaving the airport, we took a car directly to Lijiang Old Town, which took about half an hour. Lijiang Old Town is an ancient town with a history of over 800 years. Its streets are small and winding, and the ancient buildings along the streets retain a strong Naxi style, exuding a rich historical atmosphere. Our first stop was Sifang Street, the heart of Lijiang Old Town, surrounded by shops, bars, restaurants, and always bustling with activity. Walking through the stone-paved alleys, the wooden buildings on both sides exude an ancient charm, and through the windows, one can see the unique lifestyle and customs of the Naxi people. The center of Sifang Street is a large square where local residents perform dances in traditional costumes, allowing tourists to experience Naxi culture up close. Watching these dances, one can't help but think of the long history of the Naxi people and their reverence for nature. At noon, we chose a local restaurant to taste local specialties such as Naxi roast chicken and Lijiang baba. The Naxi roast chicken was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with perfectly seasoned sauce, making it very delicious. Lijiang baba is a traditional Naxi snack with a crispy outer layer and sweet filling, simple yet full of local flavor. In the afternoon, we visited Black Dragon Pool, a lake located northeast of the old town, surrounded by mountains, with clear water reflecting the distant snow-capped mountains. The scenery of Black Dragon Pool is very pleasant, making it a great place to relax. There is a Black Dragon Temple by the pool, with stone carvings and sculptures of great artistic value, allowing us to enjoy the natural beauty while feeling the rich historical and cultural atmosphere. In the evening, we returned to the old town and enjoyed a sumptuous dinner. The night in Lijiang is unique, with the streets of the old town brightly lit, and the signs of bars, cafes, and other shops flashing colorful lights. Walking on this ancient and bustling street, we felt a blend of tradition and modernity. Day 2: Snow Mountain Trip, Exploring Natural Scenery On the second day, we decided to hike to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, one of Lijiang's landmarks, with an altitude of 5596 meters, covered with snow all year round, and considered a sacred mountain by the Naxi people. From Lijiang, it took about an hour by car to reach the scenic area of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. First, we took the cable car in the scenic area. As we went higher, the temperature dropped, and the scenery became more and more magnificent. When the cable car reached a certain height, we were already at an altitude of about 4500 meters. Standing on the top of the snow mountain, we could overlook the beautiful scenery of the Lijiang Basin, with the distant snow-capped mountains like a silver dragon lying in the sky, and the green forests and lakes at the foot of the mountain, creating a spectacular and charming view. We wandered on the snow mountain for a few hours and took many beautiful photos. The air here is thin, and we felt a bit breathless after a few steps, but the unparalleled scenery made us forget our fatigue. At this moment, the surrounding snow mountains, glaciers, and lakes formed a stark contrast with the tranquil atmosphere of Lijiang Old Town, making us truly feel the grandeur and power of nature. After returning to the old town, we visited Shuhe Ancient Town, another historical and cultural ancient town around Lijiang. Compared to Lijiang Old Town, Shuhe Ancient Town is quieter, with fewer tourists. Walking on the streets of the ancient town, the old Naxi buildings and the scenery of small bridges and flowing water made us feel a sense of tranquility and comfort as if we had traveled through time. Day 3: Cultural Tour, In-depth Understanding of Naxi People On the third day, we arranged a tour to gain a deeper understanding of Naxi culture. We first visited the Lijiang Naxi Ancient Music Museum, which displays a large number of traditional Naxi musical instruments, dance costumes, and cultural relics, giving us a more comprehensive understanding of Naxi music, dance, and daily life. Naxi ancient music has a history of thousands of years, with a variety of instruments, the most representative of which are Dongba instruments, usually made of wood, bamboo, metal, and other natural materials, with crisp and rhythmic sounds. Then, we visited Dongba Culture Village, one of the birthplaces of the Naxi people. The Dongba Culture Festival in the village is an important local festival that attracts many tourists and scholars every year. Dongba culture is an important religious and cultural system of the Naxi people, integrating elements of various ancient Chinese religions. The village has many well-preserved Dongba temples, with unique stone carvings and murals inside, telling the beliefs and history of the Naxi people. At noon, we tasted the local Naxi hot pot, a highly distinctive local delicacy. The soup base is made from various herbs and chili peppers, with a spicy and rich flavor, very appetizing. The hot pot ingredients are rich, including beef, lamb, various vegetables, etc., making us feel warm in the cold plateau climate. Conclusion: The Charm of Lijiang Old Town The three-day, two-night trip to Lijiang Old Town gave me a deeper understanding of this small town. The rich history and culture here, with every street and building containing stories and wisdom. The customs and beliefs of the Naxi people, the grandeur of the snow mountains, and the beauty of nature constitute the unique charm of this city. Whether strolling through the ancient streets or standing on the snow-capped peaks, Lijiang always makes people feel a sense of timelessness and inner peace. The beauty of this ancient city lies not only in its architecture and scenery but also in its unique culture and humanistic atmosphere.