Chinese Specialty

Misled by its name—signifying “beautiful river” in Chinese, Lijiang many years ago was mistaken for a little river. Today, it has won a considerate fame around the world endorsed as a historical and cultural city by the UN. But its fame was not a green thing. As early as the Ming and Qing dynasties, namely 700 years ago when China enjoyed enormous wealth, this little town was a top-notch boasted of amazing landscape. Here, looking down, you may see limpid rivers with crystal waves and merrily swimming fish flowing swiftly. Looking upward, snow-capped peaks and ridges erect there silently and lastingly as grandeur settings, and the lower parts of them are vestured with greenery and encircled by cloud belts. Listen carefully, the sound of tumultuous waves pounding on rocks could be heard in the distance. That comes from the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Wandering on the flagging walk, you are likely to feel yourself to be the fisherman bumping into the Spring of Peach Blossom Fountain—known as Chinese utopia, where houses and paths are arranged in neat order, kind people are busy with work and the crowing of cocks and barking of dogs are within hearing of each other (not really in most places). What a cozy picture of tranquility and antiquity! Afar from ancient wars and modern industrialism, Lijiang managed to keep intact to the best its ancient legacies, especially the Ming Dynasty palaces. These palaces are imitations of the Forbidden Palace in Beijing. On the walls of the palaces, there are huge impressive frescos reflecting religious stories. They are mix of different ethnical paintings namely that of Han, Tibetan, Naxi and Bai nationalities, featuring generous use of colors and wild styles.