Ancient City without Walls -- Lijiang (Series of Small Towns and Their History)

Author: Ju Jianwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: Lijiang Ancient Town, the only Chinese city listed on the World Heritage List for its ethnic town characteristics, was voted "The Most Wanted Place in the World" by domestic and international tourists in 2002. Why is Lijiang so captivating? What is the essence of its charm? Lijiang attracts people because of its beautiful natural scenery. The majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Lugu Lake praised as the "Jade Pool of the Human World," the Yangtze River that nurtured Chinese civilization, the renowned Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the exquisite Black Dragon Pool with its Jade Spring and ten thousand camellias—countless exotic flowers, plants, rare birds, and animals leave visitors spellbound. Lijiang attracts people because of its rich ethnic culture, diverse traditional costumes, unique residential architecture, vibrant national festivals, and various religious beliefs, with temples, monasteries, and shrines scattered throughout the city. Especially the Mosuo people's practice of walking marriage and the Naxi people's profound love for life—how can this not move one's heart? Lijiang attracts people because of its profound historical and cultural heritage. As a beautiful homeland for the Naxi people for generations, Baoshan Stone Town has witnessed the Mongolian songs of Kublai Khan's "Revolutionary Boating Across the Yangtze," the traces of Xu Xiake composing poems in Fuguo Temple—Five Phoenix Pavilion, the echoes of the old horse teams on the Five-Color Stone Street, and the loyal memorial arch of the Mu Clan's that endured the flames of "Eighteen Years of Chaos." The Shigu Town has seen the heroic spirit of the Red Army's 26th and 27th Corps marching north to resist Japan. The profound Naxi Dongba culture, the world-renowned Naxi Ancient Music, and the uniquely styled Baisha Murals are precious legacies left by Lijiang, truly admirable! Lijiang attracts people because of its inclusive ethnic spirit and open and accommodating cultural character. The Naxi people respect knowledge, love life, and nature. With broad minds, an enterprising spirit that learns from all, and a magnanimous nature, they have developed a culturally advanced society despite being located on the frontier. Historically, they have been renowned as the "Cultural Nation." Here, the cultures of the Naxi, Han, Tibetan, Bai, and other ethnic groups blend harmoniously, and Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Dongba religions coexist peacefully. What is truly remarkable is that Lijiang, which has always been at the crossroads of major political powers throughout history, is an ancient city without walls! Is this not thought-provoking? This is the Lijiang depicted by the author: a beautiful scroll painted with "snow mountains, green fields, ancient town, small bridges over flowing water, and Naxi-style households," a multicultural minority city where diverse cultures have been infused, and an exemplary place where natural landscapes, ethnic customs, and historical culture are perfectly combined, with humans living in harmony with nature.