| is an and quaint town in Yunan, a province of | | | | Lijiang ancient city were very much influenced by |
| China which is well endowed with magnificent and | | | | the architectural style of Anhui Province. The |
| beautiful mountains, rivers and a long history. The | | | | original buildings of the Naxi community can only |
| ancient Lijiang county was put into the list of | | | | be found in the rural areas surrounding Lijiang City. |
| world cultural legacy by the World Legacy | | | | The Yuan dynasty and the Mongol Emperor then, |
| Committee of the United Nations Education, | | | | Kublai Khan stationed military troops in Lijiang in |
| Science and Culture Organization in 1997. | | | | 1253. He brought the foreign culture alien to Lijiang |
| The city of Lijiang has a history of 800 years or | | | | and thus Lijiang was then influenced by the culture |
| 900 years dating from the Sung Dynasty. Why is | | | | Central China, such as Buddhism and Taoism, and |
| Lijiang one of the most beautiful city in the world? | | | | then affected by the Christianity and Islamic |
| Firstly, it is one of the very few city which is | | | | culture in the early 1900s. The Naxi community |
| over a mile high above sea level. Smacked in the | | | | assimilated all these cultures. As such, Lijiang is |
| middle of the Lijiangba Dam, surrounded by | | | | also very much appreciated for its cultural |
| snowcapped mountains and a river that runs | | | | landscape not only in China, but the entire Asia. |
| through an oriental forest with small streams | | | | Millions of tourists travel to Lijiang each year to |
| meandering into the town. Some tourists even | | | | enjoy Lijiang's primitive simplicity, tranquility and |
| called the town "Heaven On Earth". | | | | elegant culture.The folks at Lijiang enjoy music |
| Lijiang experienced an earth shattering 7 on the | | | | too. You can hear the beautiful music from the |
| Richter scale earthquake on February 1996 which | | | | dwelling houses in Dayanzhen Town. The |
| killed more than 5,000 people mainly the Naxi | | | | musicians carry their often home made musical |
| community being the major community in Lijiang. | | | | instruments to take part in household parties all |
| Since then, Lijiang caught the attention of the | | | | over the town. |
| world and tourism growth was unprecedented. As | | | | The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijiang is |
| such, Lijiang is now one of the most favoured | | | | perhaps one the most beautiful mountain range in |
| tourist travel destination in China. | | | | the world, famous for its perilous, beautiful and |
| Most residents in Lijiang are of the Naxi tribe. The | | | | breathtaking landscapes. The mountain is a world |
| Naxi community makes a living by herding yaks | | | | class tourist scenic spot. The peak of the Jade |
| and doing small retail businesses. The construction | | | | Dragon Mountain is some 5596 meters (about |
| of the ancient Lijiang city was quickly developed in | | | | 17,000 ft) above sea level. The mountain's |
| the Ming Dynasty. This is especially so because | | | | thirteen peaks viewed from south to north look |
| the Ming Dynasty made a large number of people | | | | just like a flying giant Chinese dragon. A very |
| in Anhui Province to migrate into Lijiang in order to | | | | formidable view indeed. |
| station military troops and common people in the | | | | So if you are travelling to China, don't miss the |
| boundary areas. | | | | quaint city of Lijiang. |
| As a result of this mass migration, the buildings of | | | | |