BEIJING, Feb. 23 -- For most urban dwellers who are getting fed up with life in the concrete jungle, the best cure is to take a trip and Lijiang is definitely among the most worthwhile destinations.

    An ancient town in Southwest China¡¯s Yunnan Province, Lijiang has become a visitors¡¯ magnet in recent years for its placid lifestyle, undisturbed landscape, breathtaking snow-capped mountains, hospitable inhabitants and its rich cultural legacy, not to mention the dozens of adorable handicraft shops, restaurants and coffee bars, which cater to the picky modern visitors longing for familiar amenities.

    With a history of more than 800 years, Lijiang Ancient Town is one of the best preserved ancient towns in China and was added to the UNESCO¡¯s List of World Cultural Heritages in 1997. Culture is an inseparable part of the people¡¯s life and of course the essence of the trip to Lijiang.

    The town was built at the foot of the Yulong Snow Mountain, with three rivers running through it. Mainly inhabited by Naxi ethnic people, the town is characterized by a strong Naxi flavor, which cannot be felt anywhere else.

    The houses in the town are typical of the Naxi architecture. Most of the houses are two-story structures with wooden framework, brick walls and tile roofs. Residents pay great attention to the decoration of their houses. Carved ornaments are often used on wooden doors, windows and beams. Courtyards are paved with cobbles. Naxi people are particularly fond of flowers and it can be seen in every courtyard.

    The roads radiate from Sifang Street to form a network connecting every corner of the town. Flanked by willows, all the lanes are paved with red marble stones, which are neither muddy in the rainy season nor dusty in the dry season. But the most interesting thing is that streams of water run through almost every house in the town. It is amazing to witness the intelligence of the ancient Naxi people and their deliberate design that still works hundreds of years later.

    The best way to savor the essence of this town is to settle down for a few days. Be awakened by the singing of birds, then spend a day listening to a Naxi grandpa telling age-old stories, while sipping coffee at a roadside bar, which might also serve the most authentic Italian cuisine, or wander off on a stone path to doze under a willow in the warm sun. Make sure to save plenty of time for visiting souvenir shops, which have a wide selection of handicrafts made from brass, fur, leather and textiles.

    The nearby Baisha Village is a place you cannot afford to miss as it is a living showcase of ancient Dongba culture.

    Dongba is the name of Naxi¡¯s indigenous religion. In Naxi dialect, Dongba means ¡°a wise person.¡± These people are often knowledgeable about astronomy, geography, agriculture, medicine and etiquette and are also very good at singing folk songs and dancing.

    Naxi classical music is one of the symbols of Dongba culture. With a history of 500 years, Naxi classical music is performed by elderly men (most of the players are more than 70) playing old musical instruments and old songs. In Baisha Village, you can often see many elderly men gathering in front of a temple to perform some of the old tunes.

    Baisha frescos are another Naxi cultural legacy and cover a wide range of religious subjects and myths. The Dabaoji Palace in Baisha Village has a well-preserved collection of frescos.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily)