Rural Road Series—Original Lijiang

Author: Ren Diansu Guo Sheng
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, serving as a key town along the Tea Horse Road. Lijiang Ancient Town demonstrates remarkable ingenuity in water utilization. The Yuquan River, originating from the foot of Xiang Mountain to 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, small 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 that of Shaoxing, a famous water town in China. Inside the city, numerous three-eye wells are built using ponds and springs—upper pools for drinking water, middle pools for washing vegetables, and lower pools for washing clothes—setting an exemplary model of rational resource utilization by the Naxi people. Lijiang Ancient Town is rich in cultural heritage and Naxi traditions. Some Ming and Qing Dynasty residential buildings still stand in the ancient town. These dwellings are mostly-structured three-courtyard and four-courtyard with five inner courtyards, tiled-roof multi-story houses that emphasize both structural layout and decorative carvings. They employ a dougong wooden structure, giving the buildings the unique feature of remaining intact even if the walls collapse, with excellent seismic resistance. Naxi residents in the city love to plant flowers and trees in their courtyards and arrange bonsai, adding to the aesthetic appeal for tourists staying in ancient town inns. 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.