Lijiang

Lijiang has a history going back more than 800 years and was once a confluence for trade along the old tea horse road. Lijiang old town is famous for its orderly system of waterways and bridges and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The old town has fast become a destination for young Chinese artists, students, and adventurers. Most recently, it has become a favored Spring Break destination for students. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain dominates the horizon from everywhere in town, and a visit to the surrounding national park is a must for anyone who visits Lijiang.

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Arrival at Lijiang Airport.

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My hotel during my stay in the city, the Lijiang Huifeng Resort. The hotel is actually located in Shuhe Old Town, a much quieter and less touristy version of Lijiang's old town. Outside it doesn't look like much, but inside its plain brown walls is a whole new world of tranquility.

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Impressive Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as seen from the roof of the Lijiang Huifeng Resort. If you use your imagination, you can see the dragon's tail and scales running up its spine.

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Lijiang has two very old historic city center districts, Lijiang and Shuhe. I based myself in Shuhe because it was the quieter and less crowded option. It was a pleasure to explore its ancient alleys in relative peace.

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The area's infamous "three wells". This is a traditional way of using & conserving water in Lijiang. The first (cleanest) pool is for drinking. The second is for rinsing. And the third is for scouring. The water flows downstream, so you drink the cleanest part and scour in the dirtiest part. Ingenious, if you think about it.

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At over 400 years old, Qingling Bridge is the oldest bridge in Lijiang.

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Heaven on a stick - barbecued yak meat.

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Driving around inside Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park.

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Long, slow, winding road up into the mountains at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park. Private vehicles were not allowed inside, so tourists have to wait for the park buses and minivans to take them to their final destinations within the park boundaries.

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Riding up the mountain to Yak Meadow deep inside Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park.

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Stunning mountain scenery on the ride up to Yak Meadow.

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A few shots of the Tibetan temple at the top of Yak Meadow.

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Gorgeous roadside scenery on the way back down the mountain.

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One last look at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain before heading back to Lijiang.

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Mao statue in Lijiang City.

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After the relative peace of Shuhe, I found my visit to Lijiang's historic old district to be a crash course in sensory overload. Chinese tourists everywhere. Giant LED screens. 24-hour Western franchise restaurants. A vibrant bar scene popular with Chinese spring breakers. Like it or hate it, there was no denying that Lijiang was full of surprises.

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There is a certain comfort when you're far from home yet see that people are the same everywhere in the world!

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The most photographed spot in all of southwest China:
the beautiful pagoda at Black Dragon Pool with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain forming at dramatic backdrop.