Shuhe Ancient Town – A Sublime Sanctuary in Lijiang That Ennobles the Soul

Shuhe Ancient Town is located 10 kilometers north of Lijiang Old Town. This small town is the birthplace of the Mu's chieftain family of Lijiang.

Lijiang has three ancient towns, all of which have been home to the Naxi people for generations. From south to north, they are Dayan Ancient Town, Shuhe Ancient Town, and Baisha Ancient Town. Dayan Ancient Town is what is commonly known as Lijiang Old Town, while the other two ancient towns have a longer history than Dayan. They are the birthplace of the Mu's chieftain family and also the cradle of Naxi culture.

The ancestors of the Naxi people gradually migrated southward. First, they lived in the Baisha and Shuhe areas, then moved further south to Dayan, where they built Lijiang Old Town, which grew larger and larger in scale.

Shuhe Ancient Town is located about ten kilometers north of Lijiang Old Town. Tourists who have visited Lijiang Old Town know that it is crowded, noisy, and heavily commercialized. If you are looking for a quieter ancient town with traditional Naxi culture, Shuhe is a good choice.

Shuhe has a longer history than Lijiang Old Town. Life in Shuhe feels more leisurely. There are not many tourists. In the alleys, there are many Naxi courtyards filled with flowers and plants. In front of the doors, small bridges span clear streams of water. The water quality is extremely clear. From the ancient town, you can see Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.

Shuhe was also an important market town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. It is like a smaller version of Lijiang Old Town. It has a Square Street (Sifang Street), countless inns, guesthouses, and restaurants, and still retains the customs of the horse caravans. Tourists can take horse riding tours. Qinglong Bridge was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 400 years.

The Naxi ancestors crossed the Jinsha River and came down south from the Great Snow Mountain into the Lijiang Basin, where they created their early civilization on the open wilderness. The Shuhe and Baisha areas were the earliest settlement points of the Naxi ancestors and also the birthplace of the Mu's chieftain family.

Shi Lian Temple in Shuhe Ancient Town is not very conspicuous. It is quiet and secluded. On the way up the hill, the hill is not high, only a few dozen meters, and you can see most of Shuhe Ancient Town.

Shuhe has many small alleys, perfect for taking photos and enjoying the scenery. The courtyards of local residents are beautifully decorated and have been turned into distinctive guesthouses. You should try the preserved pork ribs, and there is also a local vegetable called "Shui Yang Hua" (water poplar flowers) that is quite unique.

Shuhe is the hometown of leatherwork. Due to the development of the Ancient Tea Horse Road, various commodity demands arose. By the Ming Dynasty, the Mu's chieftain family recruited a group of artisans from Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) to settle in Shuhe. Since then, this place became a famous "Cobbler Village" in the border region of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet.

In Shuhe, there is a dedicated Ancient Tea Horse Road Museum, which introduces the starting time, routes, and major historical events of the Tea Horse Road. It is an important window for people to understand the history and culture of the Tea Horse Road.

Jiuding (Nine Cauldrons) Dragon Pool is the water source of Shuhe. The pool water is crystal clear, and aquatic plants dance softly. It is a famous scenic spot in Shuhe. The people of Shuhe regard the Dragon Pool as a sacred spring, so they built Longquan Temple.

This is the most beautiful and elegant area of Shuhe Ancient Town, with lush trees and a mirror-like water surface, like a fairyland. From Shuhe to Lijiang Old Town, it takes about ten minutes by car. It is also very convenient to go to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, making it suitable for living here.

10 kilometers north of Lijiang Old Town, this small town is the birthplace of the Mu's chieftain family of Lijiang.

Beside a small lake, there is a particularly nice food restaurant with a beautiful environment. The owner is a beautiful woman. The food she makes is quite delicious, and the prices are not expensive. This restaurant is somewhat famous locally. Many celebrities have come here to eat. It is also a must-visit internet-famous spot in Shuhe!