My trip to Yunnan, China

Lijiang

Lijiang was about 570 km (360 Miles) north west of Kunming. It was about 7000 feet above sea level. Lijiang was built in the middle of a flatland at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The town is surrounded by tree-covered mountains on all sides with crystal clear water running in the middle of it. It has a population of about 25,000, among whom there are about 17,000 Naxi people.

We flew from Hong Kong to Kunming (the capital of Yunnan province) and took a transfer flight to Lijiang.




We stayed at one of the Super 8 hotels in China. Hey, it isn't a motel. It's a 4 STAR hotel! Look at the indoor landscaping. Isn't it beautiful?

A room with a view...


Naxi people have their own language.


See the fishes?



Lijiang evening .. see the rainbow?



These are not fire crackers. They are drying HOT peper.



Most old houses in Lijiang have been turned into restaurants, bars, and B&B hotels. See that beer basket.. That's how the locals serve you the ice cold beer.

Don't let these primitive scenes fool you, these places are all Wi-Fi available. You can access Internet at any of these places.



There are over 30 minority ethnic groups (out of 50 minority ethnic groups in China) live in Yunnan province. The minority ethnic group lives in Lijiang is called NaXi (Nahkshi).

These are NaXi women in their own dress. NaXi is a female dominant society. Women work outside and support the family. Men stay home taking care of their children. Men devote their free time in music, Chinese chess, calligraphy, painting, tea, tobacco and wine. There is a local saying that women create fortune and men create culture.

Mu family was the ruler of Naxi people for many generations until Ching Dynasty. This palace was where they lived as well as performed daily administrative tasks.

The Mu family in Lijiang started its ruling from South Song Dynasty. Formal recognition was granted by Kublai Khan, the first Mongolian
Emperor of Yuan Dynasty in 13th century. The ruling lasted for 470 years until a massive policy change to remove feudal regimes in southern China in Qing Dynasty (19th century). Mu is one of the families with the longest ruling history in China.

Jade Dragon Snow mountain is the source of life to Lijiang. We hired a taxi cab for a day tour there. The cost was $150 RMB (about $20 USD). The bottom of the mountain was already 3356 M (Approx. 10,000 ft ) above sea level!



The cable car station on top of the mountain , the altitude was 4506 m (about 13,500 ft) ! However, this spot was not the highest point! Mumm .. I was a little Dizzzzy!!!!



Look at the glaciers!

I was walking in the cloud! In a minute it was haze and rainny, in just a blink of eyes, it turned into a blue sky. I couldn't wait to capture the face of the Jade Dragon Snow mountain.

posted by Wing @ 7:43 PM