Relax and enjoy a distinguished Lijiang

Lijiang, located in Southwest China's Yunnan province, is a place that can give tourists extraordinary experiences and help people fully relax.

People consider Lijiang a city full of love affairs. Your first "encounter" should be the air, which is as pure as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, without any impurities, though featuring a touch of winter.

The old town of Lijiang is a place that can bring you unique happiness. You will see interesting shop names and can find yourself floating in the relaxing air, especially when you smell the lovely scent of flower cakes, hear the tinkle of the wind chimes or even the rataplan coming from the street corner from time to time.

Go north from the old town of Lijiang, 4km away from the east side of Zhongji Sea, to see some villages at the foot of the mountain. This area is called Shuhe old town, known as the "Hometown of Spring".

The beautiful environment with wooden houses and surrounding water and the simple lifestyle with soft sunshine create a special feeling that Shuhe stands alone from the noisy world. Although sometimes tourists hang out with horses, it doesn't influence the tranquility.

Baisha old town, 5-6 km from Shuhe old town, is the birthplace of Mu's Chieftain. Both the Baisha murals, which are extensive and profound, and Nakhi embroidery, which bear the weight of cultural memory, are honored as living fossils in Southwest China.

Tips:

1. Are Dayan, Shuhe and Baisha far from each other? Shuhe, Baisha and Dayan old town all belong to Lijiang old town. Shuhe is 4km away from Dayan, while Baisha is 10km away. Buses can reach these towns. The ticket price is 1 yuan ($0.16). If you take a taxi, the fee is 15 yuan normally. If you choose to hire a mini van (more than seven seats), each van is 20~25 yuan. The most favorable way is to ride a bicycle.

2. Which town is better to live in? Every old town has its own style. Compared with the bustle of Dayan, Shuhe is much more peaceful. Inns in Shuhe are normally bigger than the ones in Dayan, which are fit for sun bathing. You can walk from most inns to the scenic spots, cafés and bars. If you are planning to live for quite a long time (nearly half a month) on a tight budget, you can choose to stay in the family inns or youth hostels. The prices are lower during off-season.

3. Can't miss Nakhi embroidery, which bears the weight of cultural memory, is honored as a living fossil. The Baisha Naxi Embroidery Institute in Baisha old town welcomes tourists to explore. Batik is another distinguished item in Lijiang. The famous Dali Duan's Dye House is located in Shuhe old town. A dye scarf costing only 10 yuan is pretty and suitable as a gift.