The Old Town of Lijiang, a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture, is a central town of the Lijiang Autonomous County of the Naxi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Province. Located on the plateau which is 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) above the sea level and embraced by the tree-covered Lion Mountain in the west.
How it got its alias
Elephant and Golden Row Mountains in the north, vast fertile fields in the southeast and crystal clear water running through, the old town looks like a big jade ink slab, therefore got the alias the Town of Big Ink Slab (Dayanzhen).
When it used to be built
The Old Town which occupies an area of three point eight square kilometers (912 acres) was firstly built in the late Song Dynasty and the early Yuan Dynasty and has a history of more than 800 years.
Since Kubla Khan who is the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty set his reign here, Lijiang was on a fast developmental way and became the political, cultural, and educational center in this area, playing a very important role in the trading activities among Yunnan, China hinterland, Tibet, India and many other Asian countries.
A harmonious town
Owing to its special characteristics of ethnic culture, urban layout and historical authenticity, Lijiang Old Town of China was enlisted to be one of the World Cultural Heritage Cities by UNESCO on Dec. 3rd, 1997, thus becoming the first cultural heritage city in China.
Unlike other historical and cultural cities in China, Lijiang Old Town exists in great harmony with the beautiful natural environment and the hoary villages in the neighborhood.
Unique Worth to visit
Built at the base of a hill and beside streams, Lijiang Old Town is noted for its simplistic style and has the beauty of both water-side towns and mountainous towns with water running through the courtyards and trees planted in front of every household. The architecture is especially noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures that have come together over many centuries.
Another name "Oriental Venice"
The old Town of Lijiang is a city depends on water for existence and water is just like its blood. Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan) is the main water source of the town and subdivides into many streams which can reach every family and every street in the town. Due to the reticular aqueducts, willow trees grow everywhere and there are almost 350 varied and inimitable bridges in the little town, some of which were built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The usage of the water created by the local people is very scientific. They build three mouths every well from the upriver to the downriver. The water in the first mouth is for edibility, the second one is for cleaning of the vegetables and fruits, and the last one is used to wash the clothes. The water not only meets the need of the dweller, but also gives the town a beauty of gentle.
The town reputed as the 'Oriental Venice' and 'Suzhou in Highland', but it is much, much more than this. Once you have visited Old Town Lijiang, it will capture your heart for the rest of your life.
What to see
Lijiang Old Town is neither a mere curio nor a simple museum, but a fresh town filled with the vigorous life-force of the ethnic culture, which has kept its historical authenticity.
Lijiang was an important spot along the Ancient Tea and horse Road as well as for ethnic cultural exchange and integration. As a result of the combination of the multinational culture and the progress of Naxi ethnic minority, the buildings in the town incorporate the best parts of the architectural traits of Han, Bai, and Tibet into a unique Naxi style.
Houses, Lanes and streets
The layout of the town is free-style and flexible, the houses are close and diverse, and the lanes are narrow and meandering. The commodious and applied houses are mostly timber and tile structure compound with a garden. Each has engraved vivid figures of people and animals on doors and windows, beautiful flowers and trees in the garden. All the streets and lanes in the old town are paved with cobble stones, which are neither dusty in dry seasons nor muddy in rainy seasons.
Square Street (Sifangjie)
The center of the Old Town is the Square Street (Sifangjie). Four main streets radiate from Square Street and extend to the four different directions. Countless lanes extending in all directions form a network and connect every corner of the town.
Streets in the Old Town are paved by the local bluestones which are neither muddy in the rainy season nor dusty in the dry season. The massive and fine-grained stones add a sense of antiquity and mystery to the Old Town. The sluice at the center of town is opened late in the night and the resulting current of water flushes and washes all the streets to keep the town clean. This practical use of water is part of the daily life of the residents in Old Town.
A place integrating varied cultures
Lijiang Old Town possesses strong characteristics of the local ethnic culture. It is a place integrating varied cultures. The rich Dongba culture, an encyclopedia of the ancient Naxi society recorded and passed down with Dongba pictographic characters and Naxi language, has been integrated with the cultures and religions of both Han and Tibet.
The integration has created different kinds of culture and art including the unique Naxi music, Baisha Murals, religion, dwelling houses, and religious architecture.
Differ from other towns
The Old Town is the only old city built without a city wall and there is an interesting story telling the reason. Lijiang had been under the reign of the hereditary Mu family for more than 500 years. If the Chinese character 'Mu' (represents the governor of Lijiang) is put into a frame (represents the city wall), you have the character 'Kun' which means 'siege' or 'predicament'. This would mean that the governing Mu family and their descendants would always be trapped like a rat in a hole. Because of this symbolism, Old Town Lijiang was never given a city wall.
Local culture must know
Tea Horse Road (Chamadao)
As its name suggests, the Chamadao, literally translated as 'Tea Horse Road' or 'Tea Horse Path', was a central trade route for exchanging Tibetan horses and Chinese tea. The corridor came to play a crucial role in the communication and exchange between the cultures of present-day Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet, with the route passing through, among a number of important posts, the volcanic ranges of Tengchong, the colourful culture and dwellings of the Khamba people in Changdu, the breathtaking gorges of Lijiang, through Tibet as far as Burma and India.
Three paces tea
China is a tea-drinking nation. The Bai began to plant tea and make tea long ago, they have formed their unique tea culture on tea drinking, and tea tasting called "Three Paces Tea of Bai Ethnic". It is famous in the tea culture fields all over the world for its unique tea culture. first "bitter", second "sweet" and third "aftertaste". Early in Ming Dynasty, the Three Paces Tea had already become a conventional way that Bai ethnic treat visitors.
- First is "Bitter tea", the host burnt and toasted the special local product - Tuo Tea with small china container on the stove burnt all around the year and the tea is yellow but not burnt. When the fragrance fills the air, putting the boiling water, then the tea will be finished. This tea has thick taste, only less than half cup, using taste and let the fragrance on the tip of tongue sends out slowly;
- Second is "Sweet tea", using the special local product - walnut meat and brown sugar as condiments, the taste is fragrant, sweet, and tasty. The teacup is like small bowls and very special;
- Third is "Aftertaste tea" added a little Chinese prickly ash, ginger and cassia bark with honey. The tea is sweet with fragrance and hot, making us aftertaste endlessly;