Welcome back to  China Horizons. On the southeastern tip of the Tibetan Plateau surrounded by mountains and rivers sits a small ancient town called Lijiang. As one of the most famous tourist attractions in Yunnan, Lijiang is known to possess a charm that entices travelers to stay. Let's follow our guide, Manli, on a visit to this appealing tourist destination of natural beauty.

Reporter: The best thing to do in Lijiang is to wander around early in the morning, before the shops open and the streets are packed with tourists.
Walking along the canals which form a web connecting the whole city, you will begin to understand Lijiang's past and present.

The canals were built so that water flows past every Naxi courtyard. The Naxi people are the ethnic group predominant in this area of Yunnan province. You can still see many elderly ladies wearing traditional dress. People follow unwritten but rigorous rules regarding the usage of the water. It's believed the water flow was channeled directly from the snow water of Jade Dragon Mountain.

With a history that goes back 800 years, the old town now welcomes travelers from all over the world who will be pleased to find tourist amenities and modern comforts among the narrow cobbled streets and gurgling canals. The traveler’s life in Lijiang is very convenient. A late breakfast in one of the many up-scale cafes is easy to find. International foods like pizza, pancakes and coffee are prepared expertly by local establishments. Their recipes refined over the years through tips from overseas travelers.

Many traditional Naxi houses, made of adobe bricks and wood, have a pleasant courtyard and have been turned into hotels and inns. The hotel prices are reasonable, and staying in these hotels can show travelers more about the Naxi lifestyle.

A number of inns and cafes in Lijiang provide bicycles for hire. About 40 minutes into your sunny afternoon bike ride, you may find yourself in Baisha village. Baisha village is famous for its Baisha Murals, which require a local guide to truly understand their meaning. Compared to the tourist-friendly old town of Lijiang, this is a real, living old village, with adobe walls and rickety houses inhabited by their original owners.

After your afternoon bike ride, enjoy some local culture by attending a Naxi music performance. Traditional Naxi music forms include Baisha Xiyue, and Dongjing Music or Cave Scripture Music. Naxi music has its roots in Taoist and Buddhist ritual music. The Naxi people adopted it after the Tang Dynasty, nearly 1,000 years ago. This type of music was very popular during the 13th and 14th century, but was forgotten and abandoned by most Chinese in the central region of the country. Fortunately, it has been kept alive by Naxi musicians in their corner of China. Most of the musicians in this Naxi troupe are in their sixties, seventies, or even eighties. This is a genuine historical experience- ancient music, played on old instruments by elderly musicians.

When you come to Lijiang, a visit to the Jade Dragon Mountain is a must. This snow-capped mountain is the sacred mountain of the Naxi people. The mountain also carries a romantic story. In the past, young Naxi people who were arranged to be married but were in love with someone else chose this holy place to end their lives. They believed this was the perfect place to sacrifice their life for love.

The mountain is snow-capped all year round. There are three different cable routes going up the top. The highest will bring you right to the glacier. Jade Dragon Mountain's peak is about 5,500 meters above sea level. At the base of the mountain is an open-air theatre. The mountain provides incredible acoustics and a breathtaking backdrop for the voices of the 500 men and women singing and dancing in “Impressions of Lijiang.” This performance showcases the area’s diverse minority cultures.

Jade Dragon Mountain may be the largest, but it is not the only incredible natural feature in the Lijiang area. The picturesque view on the road to the Tiger Leaping Gorge provides ample space for a wandering mind. A traveler might imagine what it would be like to stay in one of the little houses on this road, with trees of peach and pear flowers blossoming, and a grand river slowly flowing by the front door.

The Jinshajiang River, part of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, releases all of its energy and anger at the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The name derives from a legend that someone once spotted a tiger leaped over this intimidating gorge. Nature drops its benign mask and shows its real strength for a brief moment. Although it can be dangerous, it is possible to get close to the gorge and feel the chill of the water.

In the heat of summer days, people come here to raft down the river. Some sections of the gorge make great rafting passages and many backpackers have rated the hiking along this great valley as one of their best experiences.   

Thank you, Manli, for taking us on this interesting journey into Yunnan.