What Is Lijiang?
A controversial tourist city
attracted over 46 million visitors
These were 20 years of China's tourism explosion
labeled as a place for "healing" and "daydreaming"
few truly delved into its depths
(Location map of Lijiang, designed by Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
Lijiang is a city we cannot overlook
a place with profound natural and cultural value
though it cannot rival the 7,000-8,000-meter snow peaks of the Tibetan Plateau
it became the first snow-capped mountain and glacier
many people ever laid eyes on
(View of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the ancient town, photo by Han Jia)
accustomed to wide, gentle river surfaces
(Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Jinsha River, photo by Du Pengfei)
completely unlike the rigid layouts of ancient Central Plains cities
it is one of China's rare, well-preserved
(Lion Mountain in Lijiang Ancient Town, with Wenbi Peak in the distance, photo by Liu Zhuming)
Naxi, Tibetan, Han, and other ethnic groups
the violent collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates
met stubborn resistance from the South China Block
(Schematic diagram of the tectonic fault zones around Lijiang, mapped by Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
Including the Tibetan Plateau and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau
With maximum elevations exceeding 4,000 meters and 5,000 meters
Laojun Mountain, Yulong Mountain, and Mianmian Mountain
Three parallel mountain ranges stand towering from west to east
Gradually transitioning into part of the Tibetan Plateau
(Topography of Lijiang, all three mountain ranges belong to the broader Hengduan Mountains, mapped by Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
Part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Danxia peaks, valleys, pillars, cantilevers, and turtle-back cracks
(Please view horizontally, Danxia landscape at Laojun Mountain's Liming area, photographer@Dachuang karma)
(Gemu Goddess Mountain in the Mianmian range, located by Lugu Lake, photographer@Chen Liwen)
15 peaks with elevations above 5,000 meters
(Please view horizontally, Yulong Snow Mountain and the under-construction Shangri-La-Lijiang Expressway, photographer@Jiang Ke)
The main peak, Shanzidou, stands at 5,596 meters
Rising about 3,000 meters above the flatlands below
(Yuhu Village in Baisha Town at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, where American explorer Joseph Rock resided for long periods in the early 20th century. His depictions of Lijiang are considered one of the inspirations for the "Shangri-La" craze, photographer@He Zhao)
Once hosted massive ancient glaciers
A terminal moraine from one ancient glacier in its southeastern section
Resembles a nimble alpine weasel in shape
(Please view horizontally, remnants of ancient glaciers on Yulong Snow Mountain. First image is a satellite photo from Google Earth, second is a ground shot, photographer@Jiang Ke)
More than 10 modern glaciers still remain
which has made Jade Dragon Snow Mountain known as
(Glaciers of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, photo by Shi Yang)
(Latitude of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, designed by Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
Its location between the Tibetan Plateau and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau
makes it one of the most accessible snow-capped mountains for humans
(Taxi in Lijiang with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the background, photo by Jia Nan)
Three major rivers flow southward in parallel from the Tibetan Plateau
but the Jinsha River is blocked by the mountains in Lijiang
(Aerial view of Jinsha River and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang, with Meili Snow Mountain in the far left, photo by Han Yang)
becoming the mother river that nurtured Chinese civilization
(Parallel flow of three rivers and the great bend of the middle Jinsha River, designed by Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
The Jinsha River makes a sharp 150-degree turn from south to north
(First Bend of the Yangtze River, where the Red Army crossed the river during the Long March in 1936, photo by Cui Yongjiang)
Between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the opposite Haba Snow Mountain
(Please view horizontally: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on the left, Tiger Leaping Gorge in the middle, and Haba Snow Mountain on the right, photo by Jiang Ke)
Rocks on the steep cliffs continuously collapse and fall
along with boulders transported by glaciers
(Tiger Leaping Gorge, photo by Zhu Xiaoma)
narrow river surface, steep banks, and crowded boulders
(Tiger Leaping Gorge, photographer@ Cui Yongjiang)
Blocked again by mountains at the northernmost end of the Jade Dragon Mountain Range
Enveloping the entire Jade Dragon Mountain Range in its embrace
(Jinsha River Yulong Bay, image source@ Google Earth)
Flowing south for 200 km from Yulong Bay
(A bend in the northern part of Jinsha River Yongsheng Bay, photographer@ Zhang Dexuan)
It becomes a ribbon within the territory of Lijiang
Traversing one district and four counties of Lijiang with a length of 615 km
Accounting for nearly 1/10 of the total length of the Yangtze River
(The ribbon-like Jinsha River in Lijiang, map by@ Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
The Tibetan Empire rose on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
While successive powers emerged between the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake
Multiple forces intersected and collided in Lijiang
(Southwestern situation during the Tang Dynasty, after Nanzhao, the Dali Kingdom rose, map by@ Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
Still maintaining relatively distinct economic and cultural divisions
Primarily inhabited by ethnic groups such as Han and Bai
(Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist temple in Diqing, photographer@ Qi Weimin)
Not only adapting to the natural environment of river-mountain collisions
But also achieving much in the collisions of ethnic groups and cultures
They will unite multiple ethnic groups with wisdom
Created a hub that integrated and connected various regions
Originally a nomadic people living in the Gansu-Qinghai area
They migrated south through Sichuan into Lijiang
Merged with local indigenous groups to form the Naxi ethnic group
(Naxi wedding ceremony, photographer: He Zhao)
Gained the trust and support of the central dynasty for the Naxi people
Their leader was granted the surname "Mu" by the Ming emperor
Not only consolidated their rule in Lijiang
But also expanded their influence to western Sichuan
Governing Litang, Daocheng, Kangding, and other areas
(Portrait of Mu Zhong, the last chieftain of the Mu clan, image source: @wikimedia commons; Mao Taihua, ancestor of the Mao clan of Shaoshan, also lived in Yongsheng, Lijiang during the late Yuan and early Ming periods, becoming a border garrison commander)
The Mu chieftains actively absorbed Han and Tibetan cultures
Promoted Han cultural education among the Mu clan members
Advanced the spread of Tibetan Buddhism in Lijiang
Including inviting living lamas to preach, building monasteries
And printing the "Lijiang Edition" of the Tibetan Buddhist Canon
Becoming intermediaries between Han regions and Tibetan areas
(Zhiyun Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Lijiang, photographer: Liu Zhuming)
Became a trade hub between the Tibetan Plateau and Yunnan or inland China
Horses, wool, leather, medicinal herbs
Tea, ironware, copperware, sugar, grain
Among which, tea produced abundantly in Yunnan
(Ancient Tea Horse Road routes in Yunnan, map by Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
(Shuhe Ancient Town, photo by Wen Jun)
is the core area of today's Lijiang Ancient City
(Please view horizontally, Dayan Ancient Town, photo by Liu Zhuming)
It features Sifang Street, equivalent to a "trade square"
(Sifang Street in Dayan Ancient Town, photo by A Du)
(Street layout of Dayan Ancient Town, map by Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
The elegant patterned five-colored strip stones abundantly produced in the surrounding mountains
(Streets of Dayan Ancient Town, photo by Liu Jianwei)
(Black Dragon Pool, photo by Liu Zhuming)
Three tributaries further divide into smaller branches
(Water system of Dayan Ancient Town, map by Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
(Bridges in Dayan Ancient Town, photo by Liu Zhuming)
(Riverside streets in Dayan Ancient Town, photo by Liu Jianwei)
The layout adopts "three rooms with one screen wall, four courtyards with five skylights"
(Residential houses in Dayan Ancient Town, photo by Cao Weibing)
Constructing grand Central Plains palace-style architectural complexes
Xu Xiake, who traveled here during the Ming Dynasty, described
"The splendor of its palaces rivals that of royalty"
(Mufu Residence, photographer @ Liu Zhuming)
An extensive road network and intricate water system
Rows upon rows of dwellings and the grand Mufu Residence
Then it would not stand out among the many ancient cities
Providing the ancient city with a unique
Encircled by the ribbon-like Jinsha River
It is truly one of a kind among China's surviving ancient cities
(Schematic of Lijiang's three-tiered landscape structure, designed by Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
Including Jiushijiu Longtan, Lashi Lake, and Wenbi Lake
As well as Chenghai Lake, one of the world's three major natural spirulina production sites
(Lugu Lake with Class I water quality, photographer @ XSFAN STUDIO)
(Lashi Lake and flocks of birds, photographer @ Zhu Jinhua)
(Lijiang is home to 13,000 plant species, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has established an alpine botanical garden there; below is Yunshanping in Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, photographer @ He Zhao)
(Fuguo Temple in Lijiang, where the annual air quality excellence rate reaches 100%. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has built an astronomical observatory here, locally known as the Gaomeigu Observatory, photographer @ Jiang Ke)
(Please view horizontally—modern Lijiang even allows high-speed trains to share the frame with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, photographer @ Rao Ying)
The Mu chieftains only needed to guard a few passes
Combined with the political balance between the chieftain's domain and the central government
(Macro view of the ancient city. After the Qing dynasty's "Tusi Reform," the official-built city had walls, but they were not preserved. Image source @ Google Earth)
Lijiang Ancient City was not influenced by the Central Plains' city-building model
The architecture also adapts to local conditions without seeking symmetry
yet greatly enhances the city's human touch
(Winding alleys of the ancient town, photographer: Xu Weihong)
Many residents can even channel water into their homes
(Water in Lijiang Ancient Town, photographer: Liu Zhuming)
accounting for one-third of Yunnan's ornamental plant species
Residents are also passionate about greening and planting flowers
Mountain magnolia, Tibetan-Yunnan magnolia, Yunnan cherry blossom
Crabapple, fragrant rose, magnolia flower, Yunnan catalpa
(Greenery, photographer: Liu Zhuming)
A miracle of ethnic and cultural integration
Its indigenous ethnic groups are represented by the Naxi people
(Lijiang Lisu people, photographer: He Zhao)
as well as the Dongba religion created by the Naxi
all have their own followers in Lijiang
(Naxi sacrificial ceremony at Lijiang Yushuizhai, "Dongba" means wise man, photographer: He Zhao)
Spring Festival, Qingming, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival
and also share holidays like Torch Festival with the Yi and Bai peoples
(Lijiang Mosuo people's "Mountain-Circling Festival," a 16-meter-high thangka displayed on-site, image source: VCG)
The Naxi people serve as a bridge among these ethnic groups
A fusion of Han, Tibetan, and Naxi painting arts
Depicting various religions such as Zen Buddhism, Esoteric Buddhism, and Taoism
(The mural "Tathagata Preaching the Sutra" in Baisha Ancient Town exhibits distinct Tibetan painting styles, photographer@Jiang Ke)
(Instruments of Naxi ancient music, photographer@He Zhao)
For example, pictographic writing still in use today
(Please view horizontally, Dongba script wall in Baisha Ancient Town; Dongba ancient texts are part of UNESCO's Memory of the World, photographer@Guo Fei)
(Dongba ritual dance, photographer@Li Jiankun)
As well as local delicacies like Lijiang baba and jidou liangfen
(Jidou liangfen, photographer@Liu Zhuming)
Are believed to have emerged during the migration of Naxi ancestors
The unique agro-pastoral, handicraft, and trade practices around Lugu Lake
Combined with marriage costs, chieftain taxes
And gender population imbalances among other factors
Ultimately led the Mosuo people to adopt the "matrilineal extended family" system
And the "walking marriage" model where "men do not marry, women do not wed"
(Mosuo people in Yunnan are classified as Naxi in ethnic identification; below is the Mosuo Jiacuo dance in Lijiang, photographer@He Zhao)
Countless ancient Chinese cities have vanished in history
Lijiang Ancient Town's successful UNESCO listing
Makes it exceptional among China's famous historical and cultural cities
(Lijiang World Heritage emblem, photographer@Liu Zhuming)
Quickly becoming a hot topic in mass media
Lijiang is "an encounter to be anticipated"
(Annual tourist numbers in Lijiang, chart by Zheng Borong & Chen Siqi/Planet Research Institute)
A mirror reflecting the evolution of Chinese tourism
What people see in Lijiang is not an 800-year-old ancient town
Chinese travelers' pursuit of nature and culture
This 800-year-old World Heritage Site
Restoring the natural and cultural essence of the ancient town
Rediscovering the spiritual homeland of people's dreams
(Moon Tower at Black Dragon Pool and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, photographer: Gong Xiaojian)
Cover photographer: Xiong Wei, Lijiang Ancient Town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
1. Yang Shiyu, "Lijiang Landscapes," Metallurgical Industry Press, 2018
2. He Shiyong et al., "Chronicle of the World Heritage Site Lijiang Ancient Town," Yunnan Nationalities Publishing House, 2011
3. Wang Lumin et al., "Constructing Lijiang," SDX Joint Publishing Company, 2013
4. Zhu Liangwen et al., "Lijiang Ancient Town Environmental Landscape Protection and Renovation Manual," Yunnan Science and Technology Press, 2009
5. Zhu Liangwen, "Lijiang Ancient Town and Naxi Dwellings," Yunnan Science and Technology Press, 2005
6. Guo Dalie et al., "History of the Naxi People," Yunnan University Press, 2014
7. Yu Jiahua et al., "The Mu Chieftains and Lijiang," Yunnan People's Publishing House, 2014
8. Mu Shihua, "The Naxi People of China," Ningxia People's Publishing House, 2012