Lijiang

The camera stands in the middle of an open market square in the old town, at the hour when the sky has gone deep blue and the buildings have gone gold. Everything around the edge of the square is the same thing: two storeys of timber, close-boarded below and latticed above, with the tiled roof lifting into a point at each corner. There is no masonry to speak of and no straight run of anything. Underfoot is flagstone, uneven and polished by traffic, and it is wet enough to hold the reflections. The square is full - this is when people come out, and the long exposure has turned most of them into smears, which is honestly what the place feels like. Cafe umbrellas are up against the shopfronts on one side and a single lit tree stands near the middle of the view.

The historic town of Lijiang is nestled within one of China's most beautiful and diverse provinces, Yunnan. With a mild climate and fresh air that is famous throughout China as "eternal spring," this small city located close to Kunming, the capital of the province and the bearer of the nickname the City of Eternal Spring, offers idyllic scenery and a glimpse into China's traditional past. The Old Town of Lijiang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well-known for its ancient canals and waterways, cobbled streets, traditional buildings, and vibrant minority culture. It is the main area inhabited by the Naxi minority group in China, whose influence is seen in the handicrafts, architecture, and culture of Lijiang. The Naxi also perform Dongjing music, a type traditional Taoist ritual music, in the Old Town of Lijiang.

Visitors walking the cobbled streets of Old Town Lijiang will notice the city's distinctive architecture, which blends Tibetan, Han Chinese, and other local styles. The tiled roofs sweep up majestically into pointed corners and eaves, and the courtyard houses are intricately ornamented with carvings and paintings. Many of the traditional buildings house small shops showcasing local snacks and handicrafts, as well as fine tea shops. The canals of Lijiang crisscross the entire city, lined with willow trees and traversed by stone bridges decorated with carved dragons and animals. The town is a perfect place to spend a leisurely day exploring China's traditional culture.

In addition to the charms of the Old Town, Lijiang is located close to some of China's most dramatic natural scenery. Tours to Kunming and Lijiang often include a trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge, a little less than 40 miles north of Lijiang, one of the world's deepest and most spectacular canyons. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, located just outside Lijiang, offers one of China's most impressive mountain views, and the nearby Jade Water Village, located over a sacred spring flowing from the mountain, is a cultural center and home to a community of the Naxi tribal people.

Black Dragon Pool & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain The Black Dragon Pool is located just a short walk from Old Town Lijiang. It is a beautiful calm pond with an excellent view of the massif at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, regarded as one of the most striking vistas in China. It is also known as an outdoor architecture museum, with several ancient buildings that have been restored gracing its banks. The Moon Embracing Pavilion boasts a renovated white stone bridge perfect for photos, and the Five Phoenixes Temple showcases traditional Ming architecture.