Encountering Lijiang, Encountering a Different Beauty, Seeing Different Scenery

Early in the morning, I got up early and strolled through Shuhe Ancient Town. The whole town still seemed sleepy, perhaps due to the time difference from the east, or maybe because of the lifestyle here.

Around 8 a.m., it was as quiet as 5 a.m. in the eastern region. Slowly and leisurely, I walked through every alley of the ancient town, and I didn't know where this wonderful and refreshing feeling came from. An inexplicable ease and comfort suddenly injected a fresh emulsifier into our busy bodies and frantic mental rhythm.

In any alley or beside any house, you could see wells, ditches, or small ponds made of hundreds or thousands of stones scattered everywhere.

For travelers coming to Lijiang, especially those who love life, it is very meaningful to come to Shuhe to experience a slow-paced lifestyle. Perhaps you might even gain some insights into life or the true meaning of life!

In Shuhe, our breakfast was small-pot rice noodles. Rice noodles are a major specialty of Lijiang and even all of Yunnan. If you get hungry while shopping in the morning, you might as well give them a try. Spending 8 yuan is well worth it, and the price is quite reasonable and fair.

We had lunch in Shuhe Ancient Town and found a restaurant that was the most popular among locals. It was also the one most recommended by many fellow travelers when I was planning my trip. Sure enough, it didn't disappoint—great taste, affordable prices, good service, nice environment, and still affordable. Overall, I was super satisfied and must support it!

After lunch in Shuhe Ancient Town, we set off for Dayan Ancient City. It was about 12 o'clock, and the sunlight had already filled all of Lijiang.

Some say Lijiang is a city of romantic encounters;

Some say Lijiang is a place prone to drink scams;

Others say Lijiang is a highly commercialized area.

However, what Shan Ye Jun wants to say is that one's state of mind determines the definition and connotation of this city!

Just as the Buddha said in the *Avatamsaka Sutra*, all things exist based on emptiness.

If there is Buddha in the heart, there is Buddha; if there is a demon in the heart, there is a demon. Similarly, if there is heaven in the heart, one is in heaven; if there is hell in the heart, one is in hell.

By the same philosophy, Lijiang presents a different world to different groups of people.

Shan Ye Jun believes that Lijiang is a place where countless minds create countless worlds, and I happen to love this city!

Because in my heart, there is no thought of a romantic encounter, nor any concept of drink scams. Therefore, I encounter none of these. What I encounter are the feelings and insights in my heart!

Lijiang has three major scenic spots: Lijiang Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Lugu Lake.

The foremost among them is the famous Lijiang Old Town. Generally, Lijiang Old Town refers to Dayan Ancient Town, but it actually includes both Dayan Ancient Town and Shuhe Ancient Town.

My first 'romantic encounter' in Lijiang was with this Lijiang Old Town.

Dayan Ancient Town in Lijiang Old Town is extremely bustling and lively. The prosperity makes one feel that Lijiang is not as peaceful as imagined, nor as serene as we thought. Instead, it leaves more of an impression of noise beneath the prosperity.

Whether it's bustle in prosperity or prosperity in bustle, it brings dual feelings and reflections.

Dayan Ancient Town, as the earliest developed ancient town in Lijiang Old Town, has become lively and prosperous with the trend. Some say Lijiang Old Town is overly commercialized and not fun. But Shan Ye Jun happens to love this old town. Even staying overnight in the old town for five consecutive nights feels insufficient. I love the old houses, black bricks, green tiles, and the century-old cobblestone paths that originally existed in Dayan Ancient Town. Walking here deeply feels surrounded by an old street with culture—a wonderful feeling.

When you walk through every alley of Dayan Ancient Town, you will continuously hear the theme song 'Little Baby' from *Elope to Lijiang*. Accompanied by popular and pleasant music, slowly and carefully savor every scene here, and you will fall deeply in love with this ancient town. The commercialization of the ancient town will not cool your passion for loving it!

On sunny days, even the already beautiful bougainvillea greet every passerby with cheerful smiles.

The dogs at the door sit lazily here, slowly savoring the slow-paced life of Lijiang.

Flowers are everywhere in Lijiang Old Town. The ancient stone tablets left from ancient times bring imprints of the years here, full of charm. Don't you think so?

Naturally beautiful scenery naturally attracts a large number of tourists to come and take photos. Bringing your loved one here to take a set of romantic photos is a great choice.

Dayan Ancient Town in Lijiang Old Town is extremely bustling and lively. The prosperity makes one feel that Lijiang is not as peaceful as imagined, nor as serene as we thought. Instead, it leaves more of an impression of noise beneath the prosperity.

In every alley and every ditch of Dayan Ancient Town in Lijiang Old Town, beautiful flowers compete for attention, captivating all living beings.

On clear days, the square of the old town also presents a very atmospheric scene.

This is the famous Mu Mansion.

Some buildings and monuments near Mu Mansion, along with other historical structures, are complete records of Mu Mansion's past prosperity and decline.

Lijiang presents a different world to different groups of people. I believe Lijiang is a place where countless minds create countless worlds, and I happen to love this city!

Walking through every maze-like alley in the old town feels so amazing; it seems that even walking here is a kind of enjoyment. Even if you get lost, it doesn't feel like a loss, because in the 'lost path' you gain more relaxation and elements of humanistic sentiment.

Before I knew it, I arrived at Sifang Street. Sifang Street was built in the Ming Dynasty by the Mu chieftain according to the shape of his seal. It was the most important hub on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, merchants from all sides have gathered here, and various ethnic cultures have intersected and thrived, making it the center of Lijiang's economic and cultural exchange.

The once prosperous Sifang Street still appears lively today, probably because it has always been bustling historically.

Watching the hand-drum girls, every pedestrian's mood will unconsciously become cheerful!

The bustle of Sifang Street is not the kind that irritates, but a joyful interaction of ethnic sentiment. Here, you can experience the beautiful sight of dancing with the local Naxi people. When you come here, don't you want to give it a try?

For the Naxi people in Lijiang, foreign travelers are guests. Whether it's an elderly woman, a young sister, or a young brother, they will enthusiastically dance with you, joyfully celebrating on this beautiful Sifang Street. Such travel scenes are rare. If you can participate in such an activity in Lijiang Old Town, it's a great experience. Even if you can't join, witnessing the atmosphere is a kind of joy brought by travel!

Handsome and dashing young men sing with you, and they become like brothers as they dance and celebrate with you.

After passing the Big Water Wheel, we concluded our tour of Lijiang Old Town. It was still early, so we returned to the inn to rest a bit before going out for dinner.

This was our dinner in Lijiang. We had cured pork rib hotpot. Cured pork ribs are a major specialty in Lijiang, with a salty taste. Those who like spicy food will find it very tasty. Spending one or two hundred yuan to try cured pork ribs in Lijiang is a great deal. If you haven't eaten cured pork ribs, it's like you haven't been to Lijiang!

On Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the snow fossils and clouds are like a pair of lovers deeply in love, reluctant to part for long.

The Glacier Park is a canyon on the snow mountain, with a magnificent scene that cannot but amaze people.

The white blocks in the cracks of the glacier are neither snow nor stone. They are snow that has not melted for thousands of years, turned into snow fossils under calcification. They look as magical as real snow. But they are not snow; they are fossils of snow. Isn't that amazing?

To come to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and see the beautiful, magnificent scenery of mountains merging with the sky, and to climb to the highest peak, not everyone can achieve it. It depends on fate! Shan Ye Jun believes he has a very strong fate with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, at least judging by the weather, the magnificence of the scenery, and the fact that he reached an altitude of 4680 meters without inhaling any oxygen.

Travel Diary Directory: 1. Shuhe Ancient Town 2. Lijiang Old Town 3. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

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