Lijiang

As the deepest gorge in the world, the vertical elevation difference between the highest and lowest points of the gorge is more than 3900 meters. That makes Jinshajiang River extraordinarily turbulent when running through it. In the rainy season, river water becomes more rough and turbid and when it dashes against the rocks on the river sides, you even cannot tell what the others are talking even they are roaring in your ears!

The gorge is divided into 3 sections, which are the upper tiger leaping gorge, middle tiger leaping gorge and lower tiger leaping gorge.

Upper tiger leaping gorge is the narrowest one among the 3 sections. In the center of the 20-meter-wide gorge, a huge stone has been laying there for a long time. Legend has that a fierce tiger has leaped from one side of the gorge to the other side by taking the stone as a stop point. And that is the origin of its name.

Middle tiger leaping gorge is the most precipitous section with numerous reefs washed by the waves from the cliffs on the two sides. The vertical cliffs is extremely steep as the result of long-term water erosion and looks like being sliced by a huge knife and axe.

Once run into the lower tiger leaping gorge, the river becomes much gentle as the terrain is much flatter. You will have a good view of the splendid snow mountains around and the crisscrossed fields in the countryside.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (or Yu Long Snow Mountain) is the landmark of Lijiang. You can see it in any corner of Lijiang city. And once you lose your way, following the highest peak in your vision, you will definitely know where to go.

It is the snow mountain closest to equator with snow line 4000 meters above sea level. About 35 kilometers long from north to south and 25 kilometers wide from west to east. Dotted meadows, continuously snow mountains, lush forest and great waterfalls are all the things you can expect from this lovely place. The snow scenery of the mountain is also variable according to the specific seasons and weather. The sunset and sunrise in Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is regarded as one of the top scenes you must experience one in a lifetime. And legend has that it will bring you good lucks if you come to see the sunrise or sunset by yourself.

It may different from your imagining that Lijiang old city is quite “young” compared to the other famous old cities in China. It was built in South Song Dynasty 800 years ago. The whole city has experienced several times of ups and downs and formed the current structure. Lijiang old city was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, which is consist of 3 parts, Dayan old city, Shuhe old town and Baisha old town.

Dayan old town is the most famous one as it is just in the center of the city. Although some travelers criticize that the Dayan old city is a bit too commercialized, there are many hidden gems scattered in the corners waiting for your exploration. And due to the development of commerce, tourist facilitates are well grounded here, so taking Dayan as the first stop is a good choice. The Naxi style architecture in Dayan has attracted many photographers and painter from all over the world every year.

Shuhe old town is just 6 kms away from Dayan. Compared to Dayan, which looks more like a colorful modern old town, Shuhe is basically keeping its original looks. As one of the most important stops on the tea horse ancient road, you will feel the unique Naxi tea horse culture. If you are lucky enough, you will encounter the Naxi elders who are playing Naxi ancient songs by Naxi instruments.

Baisha old town (also called Baisha Village) is 13 kms away from Dayan. It is even more quite and pristine than Shuhe. It was once the capital of Naxi regime and also the Naxi cultural, political, economic and commercial center. Jade dragon snow mountain hangs over the old town so that you can even appreciate the sunrise and sunset scenery in your room.

If you have never been to Lijiang before and come to see black dragon pool for the first sight, you may mistake the jade dragon snow mountain for a part of the pool. Because the water is so clear that looks like a mirror and the mountains are perfectly reflected to be mistaken for being grown from the bottom of the pool.

The pool has been designed to be a beautiful park with many pavilions and bridges dotted. For its excellent view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it has also been a view point. Take a seat on the pavilion and have a rest after a long day trip. That is how Lijiang cure your tiredness.

It is in the border of Sichuan and Yunnan province and about 280 kms away from Lijiang old city. There is the biggest Mosuo habitation besides the lake. Mosuo culture is very unique as it is regarded as the only existing culture that still reserved the traditions of matriarchal clan society. Visiting marriage is still quite popular among Mosuo people, in which the males and females typically will not start a family but living in their original family separately. Once have child, the child will not be taken to the male’s family but stay in the female’s family and will be raised up by the mother and mother’s sisters and brothers. That is why some people also call Mosuo “The Kingdom of Women”.

The water in Lugu Lake is very clear that the visibility is about 12 meters. It is not exaggerate to say the water is drinkable without any purifying process. There is a unique scenery in Lugu lake that is only available between May and October, which is “Shuixingyanghua” (easy virtue flowers). That is when the ottelia acuminata is floating on the water face following the moving of the waves, it looks like the little flowers are of “easy virtue”. Ottelia acuminata can only survive in the very clean environment with good water quality.

Lugu Lake has not been polluted at all, not only because of its underdeveloped status, but also because of the Mosuo people’s attitudes towards nature. They believe that human and nature should be co-existing harmoniously.