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Lijiang

A town of lovely canals, quaint wooden structures, and neat, winding cobblestone alleys, Lijiang is a quiet, beautiful town with a history dating back nearly 800 years. In years past, its residents were primarily of the Naxi, or Nakhi ethnicity, a people descended from the Tibetan Qiang tribes - and who were a conspicuously matriarchal society. Thanks to its remote location, as well as a concerted effort on the part of its inhabitants, Lijiang, particularly its well-preserved Old Town, earned a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. However, due to careless overdevelopment of its tourism industry, Lijiang is in danger of having its UNESCO status revoked.

EXPERIENCES

Ancient Music with the Naxi Orchestra

Visit the Naxi Concert Hall for a truly rare experience: listen to long-lost, ancient music dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Run by Xuan Ke, a knowledgeable, well-read scholar of Chinese music traditions, the Naxi Orchestra consists primarily of 70-90 year old gentlemen – some of whom play instruments long forgotten in other parts of China. Many of these haunting, lilting melodies would have graced the courtrooms, pleasure chambers, and teahouses of dynasties past.

Baisha Village & Impression Lijiang Show

Drive or bicycle to nearby Baisha village, where you can take a cable car up to the snow covered peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Range. Before leaving, see Impression Lijiang, a cultural show demonstrating the traditions and lifestyles of the Naxi, Yi and Bai regional minorities, directed by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou.

Black Dragon Pool Park

Stop at Black Dragon Pool Park, where the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Range rises majestically in the distance above a tranquil lake and pagoda.

Lijiang Old Town

Explore Lijiang’s charming Old Town, a world of narrow cobblestone streets bordering canals lined with weeping willows. Browse among the many shops for local art, crafts, and tribal clothing.

Lisu County

Take a drive through Lisu County, then the land of the Yi people, where horses roam freely and wildflowers line the roadside.

Longtan Naxi Village

Stop for a visit and a simple lunch in Longtan Naxi village. The Naxi are descendants of Tibetan nomadic tribes and have a matriarchal society dominated by women where marriage is not widely practiced. Their language, style of dress and cuisine are distinct from both the Tibetans and the Han Chinese.

Traditional Yunnan Cuisine

Dine in a traditional courtyard restaurant serving Yunnanese cuisine, which is marked by its light, fresh, and spicy flavors, and liberal use of herbs, mushrooms and flowers as food. You will be joined by an expert in the Dongba religion, who is himself a shaman, and a master painter and calligrapher, one of only a handful of people who can still write the traditional Naxi script.

Xuehua Yi Village

Drive to Xuehua, a delightful village of about 30 families of the Yi people. You will be greeted by a shaman of the Dongba, an ancient animist religion that predates Buddhism in China. You’ll also be introduced to his wife, the household chef, who will treat you an informal cooking demonstration and a delicious lunch of “Yi french fries” (pan-fried sliced potatoes) and other local specialties.

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PREFERRED HOTEL

Amandayan Resort

The Aman Group’s 28th resort in their ever-expanding portfolio of luxurious accommodation just happens to be one of their most impressive to date, spread over a hectare of land on a hill perched above the Old City of Lijiang - a World Heritage Site. The quaint winding lanes of the town below are an image of classic China, and the breathtaking luscious green mountains and snow-capped peaks provide the perfect backdrop. The hotel itself is relatively small; with only 35 suites the resort is kept quiet and peaceful, just like the surrounding countryside and historic town below. Even the smallest of accomondation options here start at close to 800 square feet, and Yunnan pine wood from Shangri-La is used throughout to create an inviting, cozy log-cabin feel. Modern conveniences are in ample supply too, both inside the range of rooms and throughout the rest of the resort. Guests can find no less than three superb dining options including a signature Chinese restaurant, as well as a luxurious spa, an on-site cinema and an impressive indoor heated swimming pool – difficult to resist jumping in after a day of sightseeing in Lijiang.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Banyan Tree Lijiang

Banyan Tree Lijiang sits just south of the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with 55 deluxe mountain-view villas. The hotel is constructed in the regional Naxi style of architecture with its distinct rooflines and courtyards. Each villa is decorated in contemporary Naxi style and has a heated pool, jet pool and Internet connection. The Bai Yun Restaurant serves Chinese Cantonese banquet style meals with local musical accompaniment. Asian and Western-style cuisine are offered in a choice of indoor and outdoor settings at the Ming Yue Restaurant. The Spa offers treatments featuring Asian healing and relaxation techniques as well as European rejuvenation therapies. There is a business center with fax and Internet services, a fitness center, yoga room, and tennis court. The Banyan Tree Lijiang is an approximately 40-minute drive from Lijiang Airport (LJG).

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