Spend a few leisurely days at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, picking flowers in my spare time, and living a peaceful and happy life

Number of days: 4 days
Time: August
Average cost: 3000 yuan
With whom: and friends
Updated: 2021.08.20

Lijiang is a must-visit destination on almost everyone's itinerary. Naturally, I'm no exception. Previously, Lijiang had always existed in other people's descriptions. Now that I finally had a few days of free time, I couldn't wait to set off for this sacred place in my mind.

When it comes to Lijiang, what fascinates me most is its unique ethnic culture. Naxi culture is the soul of Lijiang, contributing to the ancient city's flourishing and secluded beauty. I've been fascinated by this since I was a child, so naturally, I was eager to experience Lijiang's beautiful scenery and delicious food.

Time has stood still here. The bricks and stones with traces of history instantly give people the illusion of traveling through time and space. If it weren't for the people coming and going in modern clothes reminding me, I really feel that this place has always been like this and has never changed.

I think when you come to Lijiang, don't rush to chase the scenery, and don't treat yourself as a tourist. Instead, calmly immerse yourself in the city like a local, experience its profound history and culture, and touch its pulse that transcends time and space. Whether it's the bustling crowds on the streets, the constant hawking of vendors, the unique buildings, or the vibrant colors that constantly catch your eye, you should learn to slowly appreciate them.

Lishui Jinsha – The waves wash away the sands, leaving behind ethnic culture deposited over the years

In the evening, be sure to watch the ethnic cultural performances. In fact, Lijiang is not only about snow-capped mountains and the ancient city, but also many ancient cultural relics. For example, Lishui Jinsha. We were able to learn about the city's culture while watching the performance. The Lisu pig-herding dance, Tibetan felt weaving, the Dai Water Splashing Festival, the Wa Yangge dance, and the Yi dance are all excellent examples of ethnic culture. The performance was like a museum, showcasing so much culture. The one-hour performance was so captivating that I couldn't resist watching it again.

Nine-Colored Rose Town: A Fairytale Dream

The next day, we visited Nine-Colored Rose Town. It felt like a dreamy town, with houses painted in a variety of colors. It was rose season, and the scenery was stunning.

Great for avoiding the crowds, you can spend a whole day there.

Yunshanping + Blue Moon Valley

My reverence and yearning for snow-capped mountains never fade. Against the backdrop of their majestic beauty, humans seem dwarfed, a sight that always fills me with awe. So, this time, I had to check it out. The Glacier Park Cableway is a must-see for most visitors to Lijiang, and it's definitely one of the most popular attractions. But considering the altitude of over 5,000 meters and the thought of breathing oxygen while climbing amidst the sea of people, the thought of it being both uncomfortable and tedious seems overwhelming. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area has three cableways: the Glacier Park Cableway at over 4,600 meters, the Yakping Middle Cableway at over 3,800 meters, and the Yunshanping Small Cableway at over 3,200 meters. While there may not be many attractions, and the distance between the three cableways isn't too far, if you want to explore them all in one day, your time is still quite tight. Generally, choosing one of the three is sufficient. Before the trip, choosing which cable car to take was a struggle for me, a person with indecisiveness. We took the cable car all the way up to Yunshanping, at an altitude of over 3,200 meters. I had originally planned to walk from the cable car station to the most famous alpine meadow, but I was completely out of breath after just a few steps. I remembered not having any shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat when I visited here 10 years ago. Perhaps my fitness has declined in recent years, but I didn't expect it to be so noticeable this time. The electric car weaved along the winding and rugged path through the towering spruce forest. The sunlight filtered through the dense branches and reflected onto the soft ground. The shadows of the trees passed by the car window, and a strong forest breeze blew in our faces. Yunshanping is a vast alpine meadow hidden in a pristine spruce forest halfway up the slopes of Fanzidou, the main peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Legend has it that this is where young men and women from the "Third Kingdom of Jade Dragon" in Naxi mythology committed suicide for love, earning it the nickname "The Third Kingdom of Love Suicide." In the Naxi language, it's called "Wulu Youcui Pavilion," and it remains a sacred place for the Naxi people.

Blue Moon Valley is often called Yunnan's Little Jiuzhaigou. It's said that its color changes, just like Jiuzhaigou. On a sunny day, the sky is a deep blue, and the lake's waters resemble a sapphire, tinged with a minty green hue. On rainy days, the waters become crystal clear. It's truly beautiful, and my trip to Lijiang was well worth it.

Baisha, a Naxi ancient town where time seems to have paused

If Shaxi, which has recently become a celebrity on the internet, is the Dali of many years ago, then Baisha is the Lijiang of its early years. This ancient town, where time has been paused, lacks the commercial life of Lijiang Ancient Town or the bustling city of Shuhe. Some may see it as desolate, but to me, it embodies the pristine, natural beauty I've always longed for.

Before I went, friends had told me about Baisha Ancient Town's compact size, and I thought an hour would be enough. But for me, spending two days quietly in the town, strolling through its quiet alleys, is the best way to appreciate this millennium-old town, steeped in history.

The ancient town of Zhenning is tranquil and cozy in the early morning. Without the hustle and bustle of tourists, there is only the rising air and warmth reflected by the morning glow.

The hardworking Naxi grandmother had already shouldered her heavy bamboo basket and leisurely walked out the door. The quiet kittens yawned as they began their new day, while the "children" who had not been seen all night were happily wagging their tails, chasing each other and greeting each other in the alley.

Baisha Ancient Town is dotted with small shops, featuring interesting ethnic handicraft workshops and some trendy cafes. If you have the time, I highly recommend finding a small shop and learning to make a local handicraft from a master. Just thinking about it is fascinating.

Sit down at any roadside cafe, sip a cup of coffee, watch the tourists come and go, listen to the locals hawking their wares, and in this slow-paced town, you'll feel like you've been frozen in time amidst this beautiful scenery. The leisurely and beautiful laziness of this ancient town can only be fully experienced from such a quiet spot beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

The tranquility of the morning is always fleeting. As the sun rises, the number of tourists in the ancient town gradually increases. Wanting a quiet vacation, I decided to avoid the crowds, walked through the iconic archway of Baisha, and turned into a deserted alley that I had not walked through the day before, admiring the tranquility and simplicity of the fields and houses.

Following the path, we soon arrived at a residential area completely devoid of commercial activity. After learning about Naxi culture these past two days, the stone houses that once seemed so rustic are now becoming more and more appealing to me. It truly embodies the popular saying, "What is national is also global."