Old Town of Lijiang — A Walk Through the History

Lijiang Old Town, also known as Dayan Old Town, was a former trading town and a stop for traders carrying goods on the Ancient Tea and Horse Road. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

The architecture of Lijiang Old Town is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures — Naxi, Bai, Yi, Tibetan, and Han. The town also possesses an ancient water supply system of great complexity and ingenuity.

Now, Lijiang Old Town has been commercialized and millions of tourists visit every year, but, though different, its character is now even more appealing — it's a travelers' magnet.