丽江

Lijiang is located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, at the junction of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with an average altitude of about 2,400 meters. It has a low-latitude plateau monsoon climate with small temperature differences between seasons and distinct dry and wet seasons. The annual average temperature is 12.6-19.8°C, with no severe cold in winter and no extreme heat in summer.

Lijiang has a long history. During the Warring States period, it belonged to Shu Commandery of the Qin State. In the late Song Dynasty, Lijiang Prefecture was established. During the rule of the Mu family chieftains in the Ming Dynasty, the Old Town of Lijiang gradually took shape and flourished. In 1997, Lijiang Old Town was inscribed on the World Heritage List, becoming a famous historical and cultural city in China.

Lijiang is the cultural center of the Naxi people. Dongba script is the only living pictographic script in the world. Local specialties include Lijiang baba (a type of pastry), chickpea jelly, and preserved pork rib hotpot. In the old town, Naxi ancient music performances and Dongba paper making can be seen everywhere.

Modern Lijiang has become an internationally renowned tourist city, with Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and multiple expressways. Tourism is the pillar industry, while highland characteristic agriculture and biomedical industries are also developing. Balancing the preservation of the old town with tourism development remains a continuous challenge.