Lijiang Landmarks
Lijiang is an ancient city located in the northwest of Yunnan Province. It has a history of more than 800 years and is famous for its stunning landscapes. It is also called "Venice of the East". The ancient city of Lijiang is different from other Chinese cities in terms of architecture, history and culture, which here are closely linked to the tradition of the Naxi, who continue to maintain their ancestral customs. In 1997, UNESCO declared the Old City of Lijiang as a World Heritage Site. Since then the city has suffered a notable increase in tourism. Every year it attracts a large number of national and foreign visitors. To find a fairyland far from the bustling metropolises, don't hesitate to come here. In this article, we will introduce Lijiang's landmarks for travelers.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a mountain massif or small chain of mountains in Yulong-Lijiang Autonomous County in Yunnan Province. It is located about 15 kilometers north of Lijiang city. At more than 5,500 meters above sea level, this mountain stands out for its steep slope and its charming beauty. The main peak, called Fanzi, is 5,596 meters above sea level. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is called "Boshi Oulu" in the Naxi language, which means silver rock with white sand. The mountain is rich in natural tourism resources, and the landscapes can be roughly divided into snowy and glacial landscapes, alpine grassland landscapes, virgin forest landscapes, snow-capped mountains and water landscapes. It is a sacred mountain in the hearts of the Naxi people and all ethnic groups in Lijiang. The "Sanduo", the guardian god of the Naxi people, is the incarnation of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, in fact, Lijiang groups still celebrate the "Sanduo Festival" every year.
Located north of Lijiang Ancient Town, Baisha Village is the original settlement of the Naxi people and the first cultural and political center of Lijiang. The Baisha Mural, also known as Lijiang Mural, displayed in the splendid and ancient temples. The mural, with unique religious themes and superb painting skills, is one of the most important forms of Lijiang's Dongba culture and attracts tourists who want to explore Lijiang in depth to visit and admire them. These murals have witnessed the superb art, extraordinary creativity and rich imagination of the ancients; They are not only valuable treasures of the history of Chinese painting, but also a transcendent cultural heritage that serves as an ambassador dedicated to promoting Chinese culture in the world.
With a history of more than 800 years, Lijiang Ancient Town, along with Pingyao, Shexian County and Langzhong, are the 4 best-preserved ancient towns in China. It has deep narrow blue stone alleys, old wooden houses with carvings, magnificent natural landscapes and industrious Naxi people. It is a peaceful city of recreations, presenting traditional Chinese style architecture, an ideal place to explore the long-gone Dongba, and cultural heritage to memorize the brilliant glory of the past. In the ancient city there is an excellent music show at night that offers a sample of ancient Naxi minority music, a type of folk music unique to the Naxi people of the Lijiang area.
Yufeng Temple is located on the southern slopes of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, only 9 km from Lijiang. With ancient forest values around, the entire temple shows a style of architecture and conjunction of the religion of Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and the local Naxi Dongba religion. It is also the witness of the peaceful coexistence and syncretism of multinational cultures and religions, and continues to play a very important role in Naxi culture.
