Old Town of Lijiang
China ·
Description
Lijiang has been the capital of the Naxi people for eight centuries, a maze of cobbled lanes crisscrossed by canals fed by snowmelt from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The Naxi are famous for the Dongba script, one of the few pictographic writing systems still in use, and for an orchestral music tradition dating to the Tang dynasty. A 1996 earthquake destroyed modern concrete buildings but left the old wooden houses standing.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
UNESCO recognized Lijiang for its harmonious fusion of different cultural traditions, its ancient water-supply system and its outstanding example of vernacular architecture.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
March-May and September-November for clear views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Very. Arrive early morning or stay overnight to explore quiet alleys when day-trippers leave.
Yes, one of the world’s deepest gorges is a 2-3 day trek starting from Qiaotou, reachable from Lijiang.
The traditional religion and pictographic script of the Naxi people, still taught today.
Lijiang is at 2,400 m. Most travelers acclimatize fine but take it easy the first day.