Original Homeland Lijiang (Rural Road Series)

Author: Ren Dian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Lijiang Ancient Town, also known as Dayan Ancient Town, is located in the middle of Lijiang Plain and is one of the most well-preserved ancient towns in China. In December 1986, Lijiang Ancient Town was declared a Chinese Historical and Cultural City by the State Council. On December 4, 1997, Lijiang Ancient Town was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lijiang Ancient Town was first built in the late Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of over 800 years. It was a key town on the Tea Horse Road. Lijiang Ancient Town demonstrates remarkable ingenuity in water utilization. The Yuquan River, originating from the foot of Xiangshan in the north of the city, flows under the Yulong Bridge and divides into the West River, Middle River, and East River, entering the city. These rivers then branch into countless tributaries, weaving through streets and alleys, spreading throughout the city, forming a highland water town scene with main streets alongside rivers, alleys near water, buildings crossing rivers, and residences nestled against mountains. Over 500 stone and wooden bridges of various designs are built over the water network, with a density of bridges per square kilometer higher than even Shaoxing, a famous water town in China. Inside the city, multiple three-eye wells are built using pools and springs—upper pools for drinking water, middle pools for washing vegetables, and lower pools for washing clothes. These are exemplary masterpieces of the Naxi people's rational use of resources. Lijiang Ancient Town is rich in cultural heritage and Naxi traditions. The town still retains some Ming and Qing Dynasty residential buildings. These dwellings are mostly-structured three-courtyard-and-one-reflecting-wall or four-courtyard-and-five-pond-style tiled-roof buildings. They emphasize both structural layout and decorative carvings, employing a dougong wooden structure that makes the houses resistant to collapse, giving them good seismic performance. Naxi residents in the city love to plant flowers and trees in their courtyards and arrange bonsai, which adds to the charm of staying in ancient town guesthouses for tourists. The folk Naxi residential architecture clusters in Lijiang Ancient Town, along with the Naxi people still living there, who demonstrate the characteristics of Naxi culture in their daily lives, captivating many travelers with their charm.