Half a century ago, a Russian named Peter Ku was dispatched to Lijiang by the International Industrial Cooperatives. He was deeply enchanted by the "heaven-like scenes", and stayed in Lijiang for 9 years. In his book "The Forgotten Kingdom" he wrote, "Lijiang is rarely known to the outside world. It is the ancient Naxi Kingdom in south China which is almost forgotten..." 
 
Nature the Great Creator showed extreme affection to this piece of land. Apart from its high reputation of tourism, Lijiang also enjoy a high pride for its hydropower resources. Around Lijiang district, there is the contemporary glacier which is the southernmost one on the north hemisphere. The Yulong (Jade Dragon) Snow Mountain is praised as the "Museum of Glaciers" and the "Kingdom of Plants", especially for its vertical distribution of all knids of of species. Xinzhu Natural Botanical Garden is known as the "Gene Bank of Plants on the Hengduan Mountains" and the Laojun Mountain to the north of Lijiang is renowned as the "Kingdom of Rhododendrons". The "Morning Sunglow" scene of the Red Cliffs treats visitors with 3 sunrises and sunsets within a single day. The Ten-Thousand-Flower Camellia in Lijiang is praised as the "First Tree under Heaven". Entering Yuquan Park, visitors find themselves in the fairyland.

The ancient Dayan Town on Lijiang's west  has a history of over 800 years. The Town is well-known for its running water systen passing by every household and willow trees scattered here and there. Therefore, Dayan Town is praised as a watern town on the plateau of Yunnan. Dongba language is a cousin of Chinese and you might enjoy its ancient music at night after a daily tour at town. And you might find the melody and rhythm of the music so different from the other parts of China.

Within the territory of Lijiang County, there are rich biological resources, and the County is known as the "Kingdom of Highland Plants". The County is dotted with more than 20 well-preserved primitve forests in which there flourish over 800 kinds of rare and precious species of plants.

On December 4, 1997, Lijiang was listed as the World Heritage by UNESCO. The local people of different ethnic nationalities cordially welcome tourists come and ahve a look. Their living standard updating  depends your consuming at the ancient town whether on accomdation or shopping and bargaining over all kinds of souviniers.

Bicycling around the Old Town is gaining in popularity as a way for the young and fit to see the attracting scenes around. Particuarly energetic tourists like to take a cycling tour from village to village.  Bicycles are available at downtown, 30 yuan / a day for rental service.

Location: Yunnan Province, 527km (316 miles) NW of Kunming, 150km (90 miles) NW of Dali

Mild Climate all year round