| Appropriately close to Shangri-La, Lijiang is described | | | | monasteries, faded prayer flags and slow-moving |
| as “a fairyland beneath the colorful clouds of | | | | yaks which frequently hold up the traffic. The area is |
| southern China. A place blessed with fresh air, clear | | | | well known for its luxury accommodation in lodges, built |
| streams, breathtaking snow mountains, and an | | | | in local village style with a wooden pole structure, |
| undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of | | | | exposed ceiling rafters and beautiful natural wood |
| people”. You will find this unspoilt idyll where Tibet | | | | floors littered with colorful handmade rugs. The local |
| meets the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, in southern | | | | restaurants also serve Tibetan-style cuisine including |
| of China. The local Dongba culture has influences from | | | | stews of yak and other local meats (delicious, by the |
| all these neighbors which include the famous Dongba | | | | way!). |
| hieroglyphs, a pictographic writing system used by the | | | | The area is at an altitude of well over 10,000 feet, |
| Bon priests of the Naxi people in this region for around | | | | almost as high as Macchu Piccu in Peru which is 11,150 |
| a thousand years. | | | | feet above sea level. The altitude and low air pressure |
| Blessed with a pleasant climate all year round, this | | | | may leave you panting at the hilly inclines, but it is a |
| seemingly remote area was part of the Ancient | | | | small price to pay for the splendid views of the |
| Tea-Horse Route. The Old Town of Lijiang is on | | | | snow-capped Hengduan Shan Mountains nearby. Local |
| UNESCO’s World Heritage list, mercifully preserving | | | | trips into the mountains are usually in jeeps and 4x4s |
| the typical groups of houses and the original lifestyle | | | | and include an exhilarating ride to the Songzanlin |
| found here. | | | | Temple with its 700 earnest monks. |
| Visitors will find there is plenty to see and do in and | | | | Tiger Leaping Gorge, locally named Hutiao Xia, is a |
| around the area of Lijiang. For those who like | | | | strenuous walk but trekkers will be rewarded with |
| spectacular natural scenery, the Jade Dragon Snow | | | | fabulous gorge, river and canyon views. The total |
| Mountain is an awe-inspiring backdrop to the | | | | route takes over 2 days to complete with |
| Moon-Embracing Pavilion at Black Dragon Pond | | | | accommodation in guest houses along the way, but |
| (aren’t these great names?) Although the town | | | | shorter parts of this high trail can be enjoyed by those |
| can be explored by bus, taxi or bicycle, the best way | | | | with stout walking shoes and strong legs! There are |
| to see the local charm in intimate detail is on foot. | | | | also coach tours which follow the lower road through |
| Browse the local shops, taste the local snacks and | | | | remote villages with the same breathtaking scenery. |
| stop at every curious sight for a photograph. The Naxi | | | | Alternatively walkers can rent a horse to ride some |
| music and murals are not to be missed, and after dark | | | | stages, or even be carried up some of the steps in a |
| you can enjoy some of the charming local bars in the | | | | Mandarin Chair! Truly a Chinese experience for those |
| Old Town. | | | | who want to see the area at its natural best, but you |
| The nearby valley of Ringha is more Tibetan than | | | | need to hurry as there are plans to dam the gorge. |
| Chinese. Visitors will delight in this peaceful, unspoilt | | | | Visit this website for more information. |
| area with its delightful golden-roofed Buddhist | | | | |