Lijiang & Shangri-La - tips by travel authority Howard Hillman

Lijiang & Shangri-La area

travel wonder in Yunnan, China

Why this area

is special

Lijiang and Shangri-La are located in Yunnan, which - I am confident -

will someday become one of the world's travel hot spots.

Lijiang and Shangri-La are clearly the prime Yunnan stars. Because they have different personalities, I discuss them in separate sections:

Lijiang

Shangri-La

Lijiang

The Ancient Town of Lijiang in Yunnan is one of the most photogenic and best reconstructed old towns in China. Dayan Town, as it is also known, was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake destroyed it in 1996.

The reconstruction efforts were designed with tourists in mind. Today, Lijiang old town teems with handicraft shops, restaurants and other enterprises geared for visitors.

But the overall architectural effect of tightly packed wooden structures lining charming pedestrian-only cobblestone lanes and alleys is impressive and should serve as a role model for other cities contemplating recreating their own old towns.

Streams and canals gently pass through Lijiang old town, as they have for over six centuries. These narrow waterways are shaded by graceful willow trees and crossed by small bridges.

Some romantics would prefer to have the town reconstructed exactly as it was in 1995. Apparently they never saw it then. It had become somewhat grungy and run down - and hardly like it was in its heyday.

Lijiang old town is a treat in the evening when natives and visitors join together to form concentric circles in performing ancient Tibetan dances in the central square, Sifang.

Also don't miss the nightly Naxi traditional orchestra performance played mainly by elderly musicians on rare instruments from the past. Do the same for folk and religious Dongba dances. Music runs in the blood of the Naxi people.

On the north edge of Lijiang lies Shuhe Old Town. It's worth a visit. Compared with Lijiang Ancient Town, Shuhe Town is:

Smaller

Less polished

More personalized

More rural, less urban

Less touristy

The majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (see photo) provides a splendid backdrop for Lijiang.

Shangri-La

The natural beauty of China's remote Shangri-La is stunning. You are surrounded by scenic snow-capped peaks, forested mountain slopes, mirror-like lakes, rustic farms, and green pastures where shaggy yaks and fleecy sheep graze. The landscape is timeless, the air fresh and exhilarating.

Click map icon on left to see the locations

of Yunnan's

must-see

attractions

Besides the ones in the Lijiang & Shangri-La area, these Yunnan must-sees include the Stone Forest, Three Pagodas, Xishuangbanna and Yuan Yang Rice Terraces. All are Hillman Wonders gold, silver or bronze medal winners.

Click bookcover on left to Learn about

the famous Lost Horizon book

Read my mini-synopsis of (and insights on) the 1933 novel by James Hilton. The author coined the name "Shangri-La," which today captivates the imaginations of people around the globe.

Guide to local names

Learn how to pronounce names like "Zhongdian".