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Ancient citadel of the country on the plateau
The ancient city of Lijiang is located in northwestern Yunnan Province, south of the Hengduan Mountains, in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River. The ancient city is famous for its majestic mountains, ancient houses, and unique local customs. Lijiang boasts relics of the Dongba culture and ancient musical instruments from the Naxi period. It was once the heart of the ancient Naxi kingdom and the primary dwelling place of the Naxi ethnic group. In 1997, the ancient city of Lijiang was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site.
The ancient city of Lijiang is located at an altitude of 2,416 meters above sea level. It is a plateau, an ancient city with a distinct ethnic style that has been relatively well preserved to this day. Construction of the city began in the early Yuan Dynasty, featuring a majestic architectural style. The houses within the ancient city often face the river, with canals and waterways surrounding the alleys on both sides.
The streets of Lijiang Old Town are built to conform to the natural contours of the mountains and waters. The pavements are made of red stone bricks, preventing muddy conditions during the rainy season and dustiness in the summer. The intricate patterns on the bricks and stones are still clearly visible, harmoniously blending with the ancient town's environment. Sifang Street in the center of the old town is a prime example of Lijiang's ancient streets.
The ancient city's streets and alleys are intricately interwoven. The city walls are low, and three sides of the city are bordered by three mountains (Mount Miên to the north, Mount Sư Tử to the west, and Mount Văn Bút to the south). All the houses here are wooden with red tiled roofs. Inside the city, the streets are densely packed, with a central main road branching out into smaller alleys and lanes. The main roads on all four sides of the ancient city are said to have been built according to the seal of the Prefect, symbolizing his power in all four directions. The road surfaces are all paved with stones produced by the people of Lijiang, and the bridges over the canals are mostly stone bridges.
In the ancient city of Lijiang, many stone bridges built during the Ming and Qing dynasties are still preserved. Despite centuries of erosion by rain and sun, and even the effects of earthquakes, these bridges remain remarkably sturdy. The ancient city of Lijiang boasts numerous well-preserved architectural structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The houses feature a blend of the traditional courtyard houses of the Han people and those of the Bai ethnic group. Doors typically face east, with wide corridors, square wells, and elaborately carved patterns on the doors.
Locals often build water channels along the western river to utilize the water resources of both the western and eastern rivers for daily life.
A place steeped in ancient culture.
The ancient city of Lijiang boasts a long, simple, ancient, and natural history. Its layout is well-balanced, blending the characteristics of a mountainous region with the charm of a riverside countryside. The inhabitants of Lijiang harmoniously combine the best of the Han, Bai, Yi, and Tibetan ethnic groups with the unique style of the Naxi people, making it a rare and important heritage for studying the history of Chinese architecture and culture. The ancient city of Lijiang encompasses a rich traditional culture, reflecting the prosperity and development of the Naxi people, and serves as crucial historical material for studying the development of human culture.
The city's dynamic atmosphere, vibrant river system, unified architectural styles, appropriately sized residential buildings, comfortable and intimate environment, and unique folk art content have made Lijiang Ancient City a renowned historical and cultural city.
Even today, visitors can still see locals using river water to wash the streets and doorways of their homes. The main attractions include: Yuquan Park, Wufeng Pavilion, Wanxi Tea Plantation, Dongba Cultural Museum, White Sand Murals, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain...
The World Heritage Committee assessed that: “The ancient city of Lijiang skillfully harmonizes economic and strategic importance with its undulating terrain, preserving and recreating the ancient face of the city authentically and perfectly. The architecture of the ancient city of Lijiang has withstood the test of countless dynasties and many upheavals, blending the cultural colors of various ethnic groups, thus becoming famous far and wide. Lijiang also has an ancient river system that flows crisscrossing the ancient city, a truly ingenious and unique feature, and these rivers still play an effective role today.”
