Lijiang: Old Town, Mufu and Naxi Culture

Lijiang combines a historic Old Town with a layered architectural history and a distinctive waterscape. When planning your trip, you can focus on different aspects: the city’s layout and architecture, its trading history or Naxi Dongba manuscripts. These themes offer practical guidance when choosing Lijiang as your destination and looking for a hotel.

Location and History of the Old Town

Lijiang Old Town lies on the Lijiang Plain, at an altitude of 2,400 metres in southwestern Yunnan Province, China. Its historic cityscape is considered authentic and of high quality, and its architecture brings together elements from different cultures. Lijiang is therefore a destination for travellers interested not only in individual buildings, but also in how the cityscape and history interact.

Since the 12th century, the Old Town has been an important goods distribution centre for trade between Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet. The Southern Silk Road also met the ancient Tea and Horse Roads here. This historic role places Lijiang within far-reaching trade networks. It offers a different way of seeing the city from a trip focused exclusively on individual attractions.

Three Components, Different Perspectives

Lijiang Old Town comprises three components: Dayan Old Town, including Black Dragon Pool, and the residential districts of Baisha and Shuhe. This structure helps clarify what is meant by “Lijiang Old Town”: it refers not only to Dayan, but also to the two residential districts. Black Dragon Pool is part of the Dayan component.

There are also different themes to explore within this historic setting. The former residence of Fang Guoyu is a protected cultural heritage site in Yunnan Province and a representative building featuring Naxi architecture and influences from other cultures. Ten exhibition rooms focus on his education, the Kunhao Haoxue Studio, the architecture of the family residence, his academic achievements and his teaching career. Other topics include his social activities, commemorations in his honour, the remembrance of his hometown, the family school and the history of the residence’s opening.

Mufu and Naxi Dongba Manuscripts

Mufu is one of the Old Town’s cultural landmarks. It was founded during the Ming dynasty; today, the complex includes a wooden gateway, a stone gateway, the Assembly Hall, the Wanjuan Tower and the Hufa Hall. Its various buildings make Mufu a distinct architectural focus within the city’s history.

Another focus is the ancient Naxi Dongba manuscripts. The museum dedicated to these manuscripts displays texts and images, original objects, paintings, animations and audiovisual media. It is located in Black Dragon Pool Park. The museum therefore focuses on different forms of presentation, while Mufu is viewed primarily through its buildings and its founding during the Ming dynasty.

Waterscape and Trip Planning

Black Dragon Pool is also part of a larger water system. Yulong Snow Mountain feeds it through rivers and springs. Watercourses from the pool lead into a network of canals and channels that supplies the city. The landscape around the pool is therefore connected to a specific function within Lijiang: waterways are not only part of the city’s scenery, but also form a water supply network.

When looking for a hotel in Lijiang, you can first consider which of these aspects will shape your trip the most. The Old Town and its three components offer a way to explore the historic urban layout; Mufu and the former residence of Fang Guoyu draw attention to architectural history and Naxi architecture. The museum offers a distinct focus on Naxi Dongba manuscripts, while Black Dragon Pool connects the waterscape with the city’s history.

Discover more destinations: Kunming, Nujiang, Chuxiong, Baoshan, Wenshan, Dehong, Lincang, Pu'er.

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