Lijiang: A must-visit destination for many people

Number of days：5 days
Average cost: 2500 yuan
With whom: and friends
Updated: 2021.11.12

As a renowned ancient city in my country, I'm sure everyone is already very familiar with Lijiang Old Town. Whether it's its rich history and culture or its unique architecture, it captivates every visitor and makes them reluctant to leave.

Lijiang boasts a history spanning over a thousand years, with historical records dating back to the Tang Dynasty. The predecessor of Lijiang Old Town was the Tang Dynasty's San Tanlan City, a city that has been around for over 1,300 years. From the Song Dynasty to the present day, Lijiang Old Town has undergone several migrations and renovations, ultimately forming the Lijiang Old Town we see today, a city that has become even more perfect and mature than it was a thousand years ago.

Located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Lijiang Old Town covers a vast area of over seven square kilometers. Its unique location ensures pleasant temperatures year-round. This comfortable climate and quaint atmosphere attract tourists from all over the country and even the world.

The formation and development of Lijiang Ancient Town is inseparable from the formation and development of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, because Lijiang Ancient Town first prospered as a trade route, as early as the period of the ancient Silk Road. This has also become an important feature that distinguishes Lijiang Ancient Town from many other ancient cities in my country. During the Reform and Opening-up era, Lijiang Old Town, bolstered by its rich history and unique cultural heritage, was designated a National Historical and Cultural City and even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Subsequently, tourism flourished in Lijiang Old Town. Once renowned for its furs, tea, and medicinal herbs, it has now become a 5A-rated tourist attraction, specializing in the sale and distribution of cultural and tourism products. By 2009, the number of visitors to Lijiang had exceeded 50 million, and the city has accelerated its development into a world-renowned cultural city.

When visiting Lijiang, the first thing to see is the large waterwheel, also known as the Lover's Waterwheel by locals, and many people take photos here as a souvenir. As the waterwheel turns, the sound of the water splashing is clear and melodious. The surging water is pushed forward, which makes one marvel at the ingenuity of the ancient people.

Next is the Wangu Tower, which has a magnificent and majestic architectural style. Climbing up to Wangu Tower, you can take in most of Lijiang Old Town's scenery, making it a popular photo spot for tourists. However, those with acrophobia should proceed with caution.

Next is the bustling Sifang Street, dotted with shops and eateries. As soon as you enter, you're greeted by enticing aromas. Especially at night, bonfires are lit in some areas, and people gather around them, singing and dancing, creating a lively atmosphere. Finally, another attraction worth seeing is the Dashi Bridge, built during the Ming Dynasty. Five or six hundred years old, this ancient bridge still stands tall. It's said that in the past, the lake beneath the bridge reflected the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, but this is no longer visible.

The dishes completely captured my heart. I had just arrived in this beautiful ancient town, and I felt extremely satisfied to be able to have a delicious meal when I was starving. Thumbs up, every dish is delicious, which is very rare. The service attitude of the brothers is first-class, and the most important thing is that the price is affordable. I will definitely visit again during the few days in the ancient town. After all, there are too many delicious foods to eat in one go.

This ancient city, where history and nature are highly integrated, is undoubtedly an outstanding work of nature. If you come to Yunnan, you must not miss this place.