Nature

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

This mountain is actually a massif that forms the far side of the Tiger Leaping Gorge. It stretches a length of 32 km and a width of 14 km. The massif counts 13 peaks, of which the highest is named Shanzidou, 5,596 m. The others have at least an altitudes of 4,000 meters, and are covered by snow all year round.
The view of the massif from the Black Dragon Pool in Lijiang is stated as one of China's finest views. Lijiang Old Town is just about 15 km to the south.

LashiHai Lake and wetlands

The LashiHai wetlands and the lake are located in the middle of Lijiang County. It became a plateau wetland nature reserve in June 1998. Since then, the nature got slowly rehabilitated, and turned out to be a paradise for thousands of birds. So far, 57 species have been counted.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

The Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, offers one of the finest treks through some of the most naturally beautiful and diverse landscapes China has to offer. The trail is passing through quiet villages, shady forest, and verdant terraced farmland. The snow covered peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain shadow either side of the gorge.

The Tiger Leaping Gorge is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas World Heritage Site. The Gorge is about 15 km in length.
Legend says that in order to escape from a hunter, a tiger jumped across the river at the narrowest point (still 25 meters wide), hence the name.

The Yangtze River

The Yangtze River flows through a wide array of ecosystems. The river itself is habitat to several endemic and endangered species, among which are the Chinese alligator, the Yangtze River Dolphin, Chinese Paddlefish, and the Yangtze sturgeon. The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River - by the town of Sandouping - is the largest hydro-electric power station in the world.

Yangtze's First Bend

Some 70 kilometers from Lijiang, the Yangtze River makes it's famous First Bend; a world famous geological phenomenon. This extraordinary turn creates beautiful views that startle your imagination. The river banks are fertile with deep green vegetation bordered by steep mountains that want to touch the sky.

At its great turn, you will find the village Shigu, or Stone Drum. This ancient town is named after a drum-shaped marble plaque. Built during the Jiaqing era (1548-1561) of the Ming Dynasty, the stone drum is a monument commemorating the victory of Lijiang's Naxi ruler over an invading Tibetan army.

Culture

Lijiang's attractions

There are three Old Towns in Lijiang; Dayuan Old Town, Shuhe Old Town and Baisha Old Town. Dayuan Old Town and Suhe Old Town have been overrun by tourists in recent years, of which as a result these Old Towns became commercialized. Baisha Old Town, on the contrary, is very genuine, nice, simple and attractive. It is famous for The Baisha Fresco and The Naxi Hand-made Embroideries.

The Black Dragon Pool Park

The Black Dragon Pool Park is commonly referred to as the Temple of the Dragon King. It was built in 1737 during the Qing Dynasty. It offers a spectacular view over the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Besides, the park features several temples and pavilions, such as the Moon Embracing Pavilion and the Dragon God Temple. In the north of the park you find the famous Five-Phoenix (Wufeng) Pavilion.

Other attractions in Lijiang

Another attraction is the water wheel. You can find it between the Red Wall and the Yuhe Square where 'East Street' and the Old Town starts.

Φ Lijiang Tearooms: visit one of the many tea houses located throughout the town. Many tea houses are decorated in typical Chinese style and some use items from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Often, tearooms are located on the second floor that gives you a chance to view the old town
Φ Sifang street square: from horse back riding to traditional bonfire dances... a lot of locals and tourists gather here
Φ Visit one of the city's museums, such as the Visitor Centre for Nature and Culture in Northwest Yunnan, the Dongba Research Institute Museum and the Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture
Φ The town is full of shops with a superb collection of handicrafts
Φ Mu Clan Mansion in the Old Town in the south: it is a collection of buildings, temples and gardens. It is like a mini Forbidden City. The Mu Clan ruled the Lijiang area for more than 500 years, from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to the early days of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and lived in those buildings
Φ Impressions show: a night out. An orchestra playing ancient instruments and songs of the Naxi minority. Each song is introduced.

Wenfeng Si Monastery

Wenfeng Si Monastery - a few kilometers south of town - is one of the Five Famous Temples of Lijiang. These temples were founded under Mu Tian Wang, the 17th-century Naxi king. He was a religious man, instrumental in the growth of the Red Hat Sect of Buddhism in his domain.

Wenfeng Si - also referred to as the Peak of Culture Temple - was built in 1733 at an height of 3,465 meters. Wenfeng Si was famous in its time as a meditation centre. Above the temple is a hole in the earth, near a sacred spring where monks would stay for over three years to engage in intense meditation.

The other four temples are:
1. Fuguo
2. the Jade Summit Temple (Yufeng Si). This one is famous for its setting in a pine forest. In late February or early March the forest flowers richly
3. the Temple of Universal Benefaction (Puji Si). The temple can be reached by a mountain trail
4. the Zhiyun Si in the nearby town of Lashiba. This temple is now a school.

Baisha fresco temple

Baisha is a small village 8 km north of Lijiang. Baisha was the historical capital of the Naxi kingdom. You wouldn't guess that after a glimpse at the houses. Baisha is nowadays more of a sleepy farm village.

Baisha features old temples with interesting frescoes, of which the Baisha Mural is the most famous. It is housed in an original 15th century Ming structure. The frescoes were made between 1385 to 1619 by Chinese Taoists, Tibetan and Naxi Buddhists and local Dongba shamans. The main colours are black, silver, dark green, gold and red. The pictures depict religious stories, the scenes and figures are largely taken from Tibetan Buddhist iconography and include the wheel of life, judges of the underworld, the damned, titans and gods, Buddha and bodhisattvas.