Be among the first Western travelers to discover this ancient Chinese city
Lijiang means City of Bridges, and the city is so called for the 354 bridges that span its many canals, part of an ancient and still-functioning water-supply system that has earned Lijiang another nickname: the Venice of the East.
The historic Old Town is characterized by these waterways and by its well-preserved, two-story adobe-and-wood houses with tile roofs. These are the traditional dwellings of the Naxi people, an ethnic minority in China and one of the world’s few matriarchal societies. About 4,000 Naxi families still reside in the Old Town (many more live outside the city) alongside the guesthouses, restaurants, and shops selling silk embroidery, tea, and dried yak meat (the perfect souvenir?). The Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture is a good place to learn about the Naxi and their history. You can also attend a traditional spectacle, “”mpression Lijiang,” performed by Naxi dancers, actors, and musicians.
Efforts to preserve Lijiang’s architecture and culture are impressive. Traditional Naxi techniques are used for all new construction and modern concrete buildings have even been demolished to retain the city’s heritage.
Food is another way to experience the local culture. In the Old Town, try Tibetan- and Han-influenced specialties like jidou liangfen (blocks of chickpea jelly), fried yak cheese, and butter tea—a thick mixture of tea, yak butter, peanuts, and salt.
