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Nguyen Le Ngoc Anh (30 years old, Hanoi) recently visited Lijiang Ancient Town in Yunnan Province, China, with her friends. Sharing with Travellive, Ngoc Anh said: "Lijiang gave me the feeling of being home. A beautiful, cozy little ancient town, with kind people and delicious food. A trip that left a lasting impression on my travel history."
Ngoc Anh was captivated by the ancient charm of Lijiang Old Town.
The unique architecture of Lijiang Ancient Town
Spending a lot of time exploring Lijiang Ancient Town, Ngoc Anh and her friends were impressed by the unique architecture of the place. This ancient town is a melting pot of the finest elements from various ethnic groups such as the Han, Bai, Lolo, Tibetan, Naxi, and other minority groups in the region. From the overall organization of the city to the techniques and architecture, it displays a unique and distinct style, unaffected by the typical motifs of other cities in the region. This is what makes Lijiang a famous and unmistakable tourist destination.
This place brings together the best of many different cultures.
"Lijiang Ancient Town has a strong focus on water, with a water system distributed throughout the town. The ancient town area is also famous for its curved bridges over clear, cool waterways, giving visitors a pleasant feeling while strolling around," Ngoc Anh recounted.
In terms of external shape and structure, the houses in the ancient city area combine Han, Tibetan, and Bai architecture, using earthen and stone walls, tiered roofs with blue tiles, wooden frames, along with characteristic painting and artistic details. In particular, most houses are built in the style of three quarters and one wall, four courtyards and five wells, front and back courtyards, one side courtyard and two sides courtyards, etc.
The green willow branches droop down over the clear blue canal on both banks.
The street was decorated with many colorful umbrellas and windmills.
Ngoc Anh also stated that the architecture in Lijiang harmoniously combines natural beauty and human ingenuity, blending art and ancient civilization. The art in Lijiang's architecture stems from a deep understanding of the Naxi people's lives, is a product of the cultural and technological exchange between the local ethnic groups, and plays an important role in the valuable architectural heritage of the Chinese nation.
During her days in Lijiang, the most striking impression she had was the melodious sounds of music that permeated the streets. From cafes playing classical music, to small speakers on the streets blaring traditional tunes, the sound of bamboo flutes, and the guitars played by amateur musicians, everything created a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for every visitor.
Black Dragon Pond, a place of breathtaking natural beauty.
Located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pond Park is a fascinating destination for visitors seeking an experience of ancient China. Here, stunning landscapes imbued with the spirit of China hundreds of years ago are vividly recreated.
I was amazed by the sheer size of the grounds; the lakes and stone bridges all bore the distinctive style of ancient Chinese architecture.
"Black Dragon Pond is considered clear evidence of the prosperity and flourishing of Lijiang town. What's special here is the amazing ability of the art to recreate ancient Chinese architecture and culture. Besides the architecture, it also impressed me with its picturesque scenery, the emerald green water, and the lush flowers and plants, which left everyone in our group in awe," Ngoc Anh recalled fondly.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – The aristocratic crown of Lijiang Ancient Town
From Black Dragon Pond, visitors can also admire the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, whose beauty has lasted for thousands of years. The snow mountain provides a year-round natural water source, contributing to the prosperity of Lijiang, Yunnan. Often referred to as the "noble crown" of the ancient city of Lijiang, it leaves a lasting impression on all who have visited. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is renowned as the 71st highest mountain in the world, boasting 13 imposing peaks. Among them, Shanzidou is the highest.
The clear blue water flows at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
"The most memorable moment for us was when we arrived here and left our luggage at the police station. We were so busy sightseeing and taking photos that we didn't get our things back until 5:30 PM, only to find the station closed. While we were wondering what to do, we noticed a note left on the corner of the door with the words 'If you come back, please contact me.' About 20 minutes later, a police officer arrived by taxi and cheerfully opened the door for us to retrieve our luggage. It's so fortunate to meet such kind people while traveling," Ngọc Anh shared.
Ngoc Anh in the traditional costume of the local ethnic group.
Not only famous for its dreamlike ancient town and spectacular scenic spots, Lijiang also captivates with its unique cuisine. Ngoc Anh enthusiastically shared: "Besides the dishes in restaurants, street food is also a new experience for me. Standing around the stalls with their billowing smoke, chatting with the vendors gives me insights into the local culture that I can't learn anywhere else."
Street food offers tourists a wealth of cultural experiences.
