The Old Town, Lijiang is a beautifully preserved ancient city of ethnic minorities coupled with a brilliant culture. It is the central town of the Lijiang Autonomous County of the Naxi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Province. The Old Town, Lijiang is located on the plateau which is 2,400 meters above the sea level. This historic town is embraced by the tree-covered Lion Mountain in the west, Elephant and Golden Row Mountains in the north, vast fertile fields in the southeast. With the crystal clear water running through the old town, it looks like a big jade ink slab, therefore got the alias the Town of Big Ink Slab.
The Old Town, Lijiang is one of the must visit places in Lijiang. It occupies an area of 3.8 square kilometers was firstly built in the late Song Dynasty and the early Yuan Dynasty. It has a history of more than 800 years. The Lijiang Old Town is built along the mountains and the flow of rivers, because of which it has become a precious sample of the research on the ancient time architecture. The unique historical background, geographical location and multiracial inhabitants make the town the most special one.
The Old Town in Lijiang is the only an ancient city built without a city wall and has an interesting story that supports it. Lijiang had been under the reign of the hereditary Mu family for over 500 years. If the Chinese character 'Mu' , which represents the governor of Lijiang is put into a frame, then one gets the character 'Kun' which means 'siege' or 'predicament'. This would mean that the governing Mu family and their descendants would always be trapped like a rat in a hole. It was due to this symbolism, that the Old Town Lijiang was never given a city wall.
The layout of the Old town is free-style and flexible. The houses built in this area are close and diverse. The lanes are narrow and meandering. On 3rd of December, 1997, the Old Town of Lijiang was put in the list of the World's Relics by the World Cultural Heritage Commission of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). The charming Old Town is now a popular tourist attraction for its traditional culture and customs, unique buildings and the breathtaking views.
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