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Location:
The middle of Lijiang Bazi County, northwest Yunnan Province.
The 800-year-old ancient town of Lijiang with an area of 3.8 sq km, was first established in the late years of the Southern Song Dynasty and was listed by UNESCO as a “World Cultural Heritage” city in 1997. With freely distributed streets which are all close to water, there are more than 300 old stone bridges to set off the rivers, green trees, old lanes and old houses, so Lijiang is honored as “Venice in the east” and “Gusu (Suzhou) on plateau”.

The simplicity, serenity and tranquility of Lijiang make people linger on and forget to leave, plus the mystery of the Dongba culture imparts a certain primitive temptation to the ancient town.
Naxi ancient music is the spirit and symbol of Lijiang’s culture, which is classical scenery of this ancient town. Now only 22 musical compositions exist, becoming rare and precious due to their wonderfully brilliance. The music enjoys a high reputation in the world, being honored as a “living musical fossil”.

The Naxi ancestors have created brilliant Dongba culture through long-time social experience and production. Formed in Tang and Song Dynasties, it has a history of about 1000 years. Dongba religion is a primitive religion of Naxi Ethnical Group, and also polytheism.

The national Class AAA scenic area Black Dragon Pool is the most important source of running water in Lijiang and also an important scenic spot in the ancient town. With the background of Yulong Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pool has clean, clear, bright and jade-like water and fish swim through the fine stones. There are green trees as well as ancient architectures hidden in between including Wufeng Building, Jietuo Forest, Dragon God Temple and Suocui Bridge. It is truly heaven on earth.

• Main Scenic Spots:
The Ancient Town of Lijiang, Black Dragon Pool, White Water River, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lashi Sea, Yulong Snow Mountain, No. 1 Bay in Pearl River Delta, Mu’s Residence, Yunshan Ping, White Sand mural, and Ganhaizi (the Sweet Sea Meadow). In addition, there is the Black and White Water River, Laojunshan Scenic Area, Yufeng Temple, Dongba Cultural Museum, Zhiyun Temple, ancient tree cluster and Golden Dragon Bridge

Ifeng.com

• How to get there:
Lijiang roads extend in all directions, but no trains are available to Lijiang. Besides, most visitors arrive via planes to go there.

By air:
There is Lijiang Airport in Lijiang, offering flights to Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen and Guiyang. It’s suggested that visitors go to Kunming first and then take planes or buses to Lijiang. It takes 40 minutes to fly from Kunming to Lijiang.

By bus:
Kunming—Lijiang: Buses from Kunming to Lijiang are available in Kunming Long-distance passenger station, Panjiawan long-distance passenger station, East Station, West Station, South Station, Nanyao Passenger Station and Guanshang Square Station. It takes RMB 150 and 10 to 12 hours from Kunming to Lijiang by luxurious

tourist bus.
Dali—Lijiang: If you cannot buy tickets to Lijiang during peak seasons, you can go to Dali from Kunming and transfer bus to Lijiang. There are many buses from Dali Xiaguan to Lijiang, taking RMB 60 and 3 hours. Remember buses from Dali to Lijiang depart during the daytime, so you have to stay for a night in Yangren Jie of Dali if you arrive there in the evening.

• Internal transportation:
Lijiang is not big, so you can visit many scenic spots by foot.

The starting fare for taking taxi is RMB 7 (RMB 1.8/km after the first 3km) during the daytime, RMB 8 in the evening and RMB 10 after 12pm.

Many people choose to rent bicycles, which is convenient, environment friendly and comfortable. There are bicycles for rent in Hongtaiyang Square, at the charge of RMB 12/day.

You can also take buses for visiting, most of which are at the charge of RMB 1.

• Accommodation:
Defeng Dabao Hostel—friendly owner, good environment with original architectural style of the ancient town
Add: 8 Xingwen Xiang, Qiyi Jie, Gucheng District, Lijiang
Tel: 0888—5388788
Mobile Phone: 15969391999, 15912237777
Price: RMB 200

Li’s Courtyard—friendly owner, free and tasty Naxi snacks and barbeque; a full view of the ancient town from panoramic view rooms
Add: 13 Wenming Village, Wuyi Jie, Gucheng District, Lijiang
Tel: 0888-5124161
Mobile Phone: 15812220399, 15912220809
Price: RMB 120

Changchunteng Hotel—friendly owner, separate courtyard and comfortable accommodation environment
Add: back gate of Mu’s Residence, 77 Guangbi Xiang, Guangyi Jie, Lijiang
Tel: 0888—5182608
Mobile Phone: 15912234201
Website: www.minimallounge.cn (Chinese)
Price: RMB 200

• Dining:
Naxige Restaurant
Add: next to Wuhua Bookstore, intersection of Xinhua Jie and Sifang Jie, Lijiang
The decoration and settings in the restaurant have an antique style. Naxige serves delicious dishes at acceptable prices. RMB 100 for 4 dishes.

Sifang Snack Street
Add: Sifang Jie, Dashiqiao, Lijiang
It mainly serves rice noodles in small pot, pot rice and other folk snacks.

Fulong Snacks
Add: 55 Chongren Xiang, Qiyi Jie, Lijiang
The rice noodles in small pot served here is the best in the ancient town. Also, they are cheap and tasty loaded with meat and strong soup.

Qinyun No. 1 Naxi Snack Restaurant
Add: intersection of Dongdajie, Lijiang
It serves Naxi snacks, at the cost of RMB 25 to 35 per person. You can have a try of all kinds of Naxi snacks here.

Jilipu Snacks
Add: middle part of Baisuifang, Lijiang
It serves cold noodles in large helping, plus a braised chicken wing, which cost less than RMB10. It is hard to find such a delicious and cheap match in this ancient town.

Ma Ma Fu
Add: intersection of Sifang Jie, Mishi Xiang and Xinyi Jie, Lijiang
It serves characteristic Naxi sandwiches. Both Chinese and Western style foods are served, but it specializes in serving Western style food.
Specialties: Lijiang glutinous rice cake, rice filled sausage, blown liver

Rongpo Restaurant
Add: Shuangshi Section, Xinhua Jie, Lijiang
It specialized in serving Naxi dishes.

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