Lijiang

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Lijiang is a big tourist stop like Pingyao and Shangrila, and like those cities, it has its own "old town" which is kept pseudo-rustic for the tourist. If you like Disneyland, then chances are, you might like Lijiang as well. The "old city" is one big construction project meant to be something pretty to look at for tourist. If you can stop telling yourself that it is all fake, then you can start enjoying it. What is available at Lijiang are nicely packaged experiences like horse riding tours and Naxi culture shows. However, do yourself a favor and avoid all that. Go travel around Yunnan and meet the Naxi people for yourself. Go out to Tiger Leaping Gorge where the horse ranchers will gladly rent you one of their horses (which I did and turned out great BTW). For my taste, Lijiang was just a little too Disney and a little to packaged.

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Photos

Water Channel
Many small channels of water run through the old city

Water wheel
A big water wheel marks the entrance to Lijiang's old city.

Naxi Folk Dance
The Naxi are a matriarchal society. I was lucky to walk into the town square at just the right time to catch this folk dance.

Young artist
Many young artists sit patiently by water channels to draw.

Old city at night
The old city is a very commercialized place. Light of all colors fill the night.

Symbol
The Naxi worship animals. The frog is an importent symbol in their worship. In fact, the traditional blue cloaks worn by the elderly women are referred to as frog-eyes sheep skins.

Mmm...bugs
Lunchtime!

Naxi Orchestra
The Naxi have a rich cultural heritage which unfortunately is fading fast.

Comments

[Ming]

this looks like a place to party. tell me, how many hearts of local village girls did you break there? no seriously, I wouldnt mind spending a few days here and unwind. didnt know your mandarin was that good.