Lying in a broad and fertile valley dominated by the snow-mantled peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang was founded as Dayan, a large Naxi settlement first built during the Southern Song Dynasty eight centuries ago. Once you are in Lijiang, a small and quiet city newly constructed outside the ancient town, you'll find hard to return to the hustle and bustle of the large cities and can not wait to explore the ancient town.

Lijiang Ancient Town is a well-preserved one known for Naxi people's brilliant culture. With a history more han 800 years, the town was firstly built at the interval of the Song Dynasty changed to the Yuan Dynasty, and occupies an area of 3.8 square kilometers. It is built alongside the lie of mountains and the flow of rivers with the ancient water-supply system which still in use today, providing a vary precious sample of the research on ancient architecture. As a result of the multi-culture and the progress of Naxi ethnic group, the buildings in town incorporate the best parts of the architectural traits of Han, Bai and Tibetan into the unique Naxi style. The layout of the town is free and flexible, the houses are close and diverse and the lanes are narrow and meandering. Along the both side of the lanes, there are shops selling superb handicrafts. Here you also have the chance to trace the Ancient Tea-Horse Road.

It will take about half an hour to reach Jade Dragon Sown Mountain which is located at 15km north of Lijiang Ancient Town. It is the southernmost glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, consisting of 13 peaks with the highest one at an altitude of 5,600 meters. Looking from the town, the mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence the name. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a sanctuary for rare animals and wild plants. About one fourth of all the plant species in China can be found here and 20 primeval forest communities shelter a big family of 400 types of trees and 30 kinds of animals which are protected by the state. These species living in different temperature levels create different kinds of views of the mountain. The peaks of the mountain are covered by snow all year around and gain the name of natural glacier museum. You can find rivers and pools formed by the thawed snow flowing along the valley and through the forests.

Continue our visiting after lunch. First built in 1756, Yufeng Temple is located at the southern foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, 13km from Lijiang Ancient Town. The temple is surrounded by the flourishing forest and river with the snow mountain at its back. It displays a distinctive architectural style of Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and local Naxi Dongba Religion. It is also the witness of the peaceful coexistence of multinational cultures and religions. Today it still plays an important role in local residents religious life.

Baisha Mural is located at Baisha Villages, 10km north of Lijiang Ancient Town. Although the traditional houses do not look impressive, the place was the cradle of Naxi people and ancient capital of Naxi Kingdom. The valuable mural are protected inside Dabaoji Palace and the colored glaze temples. The originality and figures of the mural reflect the different religious cultures and artistic forms of Buddhism, Lamaism, Taoism and local Naxi Dongba religion's development into Naxi School. Each painting includes at least one hundred portraits are not only Buddha but also ordinary people such as bureaucrats, criminals and so on. Many of the scenes and subjects are drawn from people's daily life showing fishing, riding horses, weaving, dancing and casting iron. The photography is forbidden.

The town of Shangri La has gain the current name in 2001 by Chinese authorities. With the endless miles waiting to be discovered, this region offers unique hiking and trekking advantages who making journey down to northern Yunnan. At an altitude of 3,200 meters, Shangri La is the start point of the Tibetan world in northern Yunnan. The small town once was the frontier trading post on the doorstep of Tibet.

Dukezong Ancient Town is located at the southeast corner of Shangri La, meaning the town of moonlight in Tibetan language. Dukezong was built against the mountain according to the Utopia in Buddhism. With a history more than 1,329 years, its bumpy roads paved by large stones has so many stories waiting to be uncovered.

Not far away from the town of Shangri La(5km),Songzanlin Lamasery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan and one of the 13 large lamaseries in the Kangzang region (the join area of Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan ). Constructed in 1679, it took about three years to complete. Built against the mountain with a magnificent appearance, Songzanlin is a faithful imitation of the Potala Palace in Lhasa Tibet. The most famous treasures in the lamasery are the eight gold-covered sculptures of Sakyamuni, bronze sculptures, the Ganzur scriptures hand-written in liquid gold, gold lamps, and many exquisite gilded silver incense burners.

Potatso National Park is located 22km away from the town, which will take about half an hour's driving. As China's first national park, consists of two lakes- Shudu hu and Bita hai, the distance between takes about half an hour's driving by green van. Shudu hu is the lake in the shape of boot, and Bita hai is the highest lake in Yunnan. Both two are famous for the limpid water and beautiful scenery. There are virgin forests including century-old pines, cypresses and birches around the lakes, in which the water is crystal clear and blue. In Bita hai there is an islet covered by cedars and azaleas. In spring, when the withered azalea flowers fall into the lake and are eaten by fish, the fish seem to be unconscious and almost drunk. They then float on the surface with their abdomen facing the sky. The whole park is an intact natural reserve of various species of flora and fauna as well as the lifestyle of its residents, so you also can see villages there. The green toilets are scattered in the area and planks were built around the lakes for visitors who would like to have a walk.

Beside the Dianchi Lake, the Village of Ethnic Culture is about 8km from the city proper, and faces the Western Hill across the lake. The hill stretches along more than 40 km (25 miles) of Dianchi Lake and rise to an altitude of 2,350m (7,710 feet). The local people gave the Western Hill the nickname, Sleeping Beauty Hills. The panoramic views are unforgettably beautiful and you will certainly want to bring your camera to capture these glorious scenes. Dragon Gate is the steepest spot in the Western Hill and well worth climbing up the winding old stone stairs because the view is spectacular. When standing at Dragon Gate and seeing the splendid views, you cannot but feel awe-inspired by the vision, dedication, and reverence for nature and the people who created this walkway.

In the Village 25 villages are meant to the built for each of the 25 ethnic minorities in Yunnan, now some of them are still under construction. In the Nationality Song and Dance Hall you can watch the song and dance performances given by minorities. At the Plaza of Unity of Nationalities, in fact it is something like an arena theatre, you can watch not only the song and dance performances, quite different from those you watch in the Nationality Song and Dance Hall, but also the Asian Elephants Show. In the evening the Water-Screen Film will surely make you forget to go back.