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5A級古い町と村

丽江古城

Lijiang Old Town

ユンナン · 麗江

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カテゴリー:歴史遺跡

Lijiang Old Town, a pearl on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, features small bridges, flowing water, and Naxi charm. Winding bluestone paths and ancient wooden buildings exude timeless elegance, set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, where time slows to a poetic pace.

INTRODUCTION

観光スポットについて

Lijiang Old Town: A World Cultural Heritage of Naxi Dongba Culture and the Ancient Tea Horse Road

Overview: A Highland Water Town at the Foot of Snow Mountains

Lijiang Old Town, also known as Dayan Old Town, is located in Gucheng District, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It sits at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, at the junction of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, at an altitude of about 2,400 meters. On December 4, 1997, Lijiang Old Town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming one of China's first historical and cultural cities to receive this honor. Its core protection area covers 3.8 square kilometers, preserving the urban layout and architectural style from the late Song and early Yuan dynasties to the present.

As the only ancient city among China's historical and cultural cities without city walls, Lijiang Old Town is renowned for its unique Naxi Dongba culture, its historical significance as a key hub on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and its exquisite water system and architectural complex. It is often called the "Venice of the East" and "Suzhou on the Plateau." Here is an overview of its core data:

World Heritage Inscription Date: 1997 (21st Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee)
Heritage Type: Cultural Heritage

PRACTICAL INFO

旅の実用情報

営業時間

Open all day (recommended to confirm before travel)

チケット料金

Ancient city maintenance fee ¥50/person (subject to official announcement)

アクセス

Lijiang Old Town is located in Gucheng District, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. External transportation: You can fly to Lijiang Sanyi Airport, which is about 28 km from the old town; take the airport shuttle bus (about 20 yuan) or a taxi (about 80-100 yuan). Alternatively, take a high-speed train to Lijiang Station, about 10 km from the old town; take bus No. 4 or No. 18, or a taxi (about 30 yuan). Internal transportation: Motor vehicles are prohibited in the old town; the main way to explore is on foot. You can walk along the stone paths to visit Sifang Street, Mu Mansion, Black Dragon Pool, and other attractions. There are bicycle rental points in the old town, but cycling on the stone roads is inconvenient, so walking is recommended. To visit surrounding attractions like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, take a tourist shuttle from the old town entrance or hire a car.

NEARBY

周辺の観光スポット

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

玉龙雪山位于云南省丽江市玉龙纳西族自治县，是北半球最南端的大雪山，主峰扇子陡海拔5596米，以险峻山势、现代冰川和纳西族神山文化闻名，是国家级风景名胜区和5A级旅游景区。

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge

虎跳峡位于云南玉龙雪山与哈巴雪山之间，以险峻峡谷、汹涌金沙江和世界级徒步路线闻名，是户外探险与自然景观的完美结合。

Haba Snow Mountain

関連のおすすめ

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Historical Evolution: From a Border Town in the Song and Yuan Dynasties to a Hub on the Ancient Tea Horse Road

Late Song and Early Yuan Dynasties: The Beginning of the City

The history of Lijiang Old Town can be traced back to the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. According to the "History of Ming," in 1253 (the first year of Baoyou, Emperor Lizong of the Southern Song), Kublai Khan led the Mongol army south to conquer the Dali Kingdom, passing through Lijiang. The Naxi chieftain Mai Liang surrendered and assisted the Mongol army in crossing the river. Subsequently, Mai Liang was appointed as "Chahanzhang Guanmin Guan" (an official title), and his ruling center was located in the area of today's Lijiang Old Town. During this period, the city began to form its initial layout centered on Sifang Street, but without city walls—a tradition that continues to this day and has become one of the most distinctive features of the old town.

Ming Dynasty: The Golden Age of the Mu Clan Tusi

In 1382 (the fifteenth year of Hongwu, Ming Dynasty), the Naxi chieftain A Jia A De submitted to the Ming Dynasty and was granted the surname "Mu" and the hereditary title of "Prefect of Lijiang Prefecture." The Mu clan Tusi ruled Lijiang for 470 years and were key promoters of the old town's development. During the Ming Dynasty, the Mu family actively absorbed Central Plains Han culture while maintaining Naxi traditions. They built the grand Mu Mansion (the Tusi's official residence) and dug a water network that ran through the entire city. According to the "History of Ancient Chinese Architecture," the Mu Mansion complex was "modeled after the Forbidden City, incorporating Naxi, Bai, and Han styles," covering an area of 46 mu (about 3.07 hectares). During this period, Lijiang Old Town, as an important hub on the Yunnan-Sichuan-Tibet Tea Horse Road, was bustling with merchants and became the economic and cultural center of northwest Yunnan.

Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China: Bureaucratization and Commercial Prosperity

In 1723 (the first year of Yongzheng, Qing Dynasty), Lijiang implemented "gaitu guiliu" (replacing native chieftains with appointed officials), weakening the hereditary power of the Mu Tusi and establishing a system of appointed officials. This change promoted further penetration of Han culture, and numerous temples, academies, and guild halls in Central Plains style appeared in the old town. Meanwhile, trade on the Tea Horse Road reached its peak during the Qing Dynasty. Lijiang Old Town became the core node of the "tea-horse trade" connecting Pu'er in Yunnan, Ya'an in Sichuan, and Lhasa in Tibet. According to historical records, in the late Qing and early Republic of China, more than a hundred merchant firms were permanently stationed in the old town, and caravans came and went continuously, driving the prosperity of handicrafts such as leather, copperware, and medicinal herbs.

Layout of the Old Town: Sifang Street, Mu Mansion, and Black Dragon Pool

Sifang Street: The Central Square of a City Without Walls

Sifang Street is the core of Lijiang Old Town, covering an area of about 4,000 square meters. Its name derives from the word "sifang" (four directions), symbolizing the city as a commercial center connecting all directions. The square is paved with Wuhua stone, surrounded by shops, and was once the busiest market on the Tea Horse Road. The design of Sifang Street is ingenious: streets radiate outward in all directions, connecting major lanes such as Qiyi Street, Wuyi Street, and Xinhua Street, forming a "spider-web" road network. This layout facilitates commercial activities and aids drainage—the square slopes slightly to the northeast, allowing rainwater to flow naturally into the Zhong River during the rainy season.

Mu Mansion: The "Forbidden City" of the Naxi People

Located in the southwest corner of the old town, Mu Mansion was the official residence and mansion of the Mu Tusi during the Ming Dynasty. The existing buildings were rebuilt in 1999 but strictly follow the original Ming Dynasty layout. According to the "History of Ancient Chinese Architecture," Mu Mansion faces east, backed by Lion Mountain and facing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, covering 46 mu with a central axis of about 369 meters. Main buildings include the Council Hall, Ten Thousand Volumes Tower, Dharma Protection Hall, and Guangbi Tower. Among them, the Ten Thousand Volumes Tower once housed ten thousand volumes of books and was an important treasure house of Naxi culture. The architecture of Mu Mansion blends the Naxi residential feature of "three rooms and a screen wall" with the majesty of Central Plains official architecture. Its roofs combine hip-and-gable and overhanging gable forms, and the painted decorations feature dragons, phoenixes, and floral motifs, reflecting the fusion of diverse cultures.

Black Dragon Pool: Snow Mountain Reflection and Ancient Buildings

Black Dragon Pool, located at the northern end of the old town, was first built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and is one of the water sources of Lijiang Old Town. The pool water is crystal clear, reflecting Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, creating the classic scene of "snow mountain, pool water, and ancient architecture." Around the pool are ancient buildings such as Deyue Tower, Dragon God Shrine, and Five Phoenix Tower. Among them, Five Phoenix Tower (originally a building of Fuguo Temple from the Ming Dynasty) is famous for its 24 flying eaves that resemble five phoenixes spreading their wings. The Black Dragon Pool Ancient Building Complex was listed as a sixth batch national key cultural relics protection unit in 2006.

Architectural Features: Naxi Residences, Water Network, and Snow Mountain Borrowed Scenery

Naxi Residences: Three Rooms and a Screen Wall, and Four Courtyards with Five Patios

The residential architecture of Lijiang Old Town is mainly in the traditional Naxi style, with typical layouts including "three rooms and a screen wall" and "four courtyards with five patios." According to the "History of Ancient Chinese Architecture," the "three rooms and a screen wall" consists of a main room, two side rooms, and a screen wall enclosing a courtyard. The main room faces south, and the screen wall is on the east side, providing wind protection and light. The "four courtyards with five patios" adds small patios at the four corners of a quadrangle courtyard, creating five light and ventilation openings. Buildings are mostly two-story wooden structures, with the ground floor as living quarters and the upper floor for storage or guest rooms. Exterior walls are made of rammed earth or brick and stone, roofs are covered with gray tiles, and the ridge ends slightly upturned, called "qishan." Doors and windows are exquisitely carved, often with motifs such as "fortune, prosperity, longevity, and happiness" or "qin, qi, shu, hua" (music, chess, books, painting), reflecting the Naxi people's absorption of Han culture.

Water Network: Three Rivers Through the City, Flowing Water at Every Door

The water system of Lijiang Old Town is one of its most ingenious engineering feats. During the Ming Dynasty, the Mu Tusi oversaw the digging of three artificial rivers—the East River, Zhong River, and West River—to channel meltwater from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain into the city. The Zhong River is a natural watercourse, while the East and West Rivers are artificial. The three rivers crisscross the city, with a total length of about 30 kilometers. Water flows past every household, creating the scene of "flowing water in front of every door, and weeping willows brushing every eave." Residents use the water level difference to set sluice gates on the river channels, controlling the direction of flow for drinking, washing, and firefighting. This water network not only solved the city's water supply but also regulated the microclimate, making the old town cool in summer and warm in winter.

Snow Mountain Borrowed Scenery: The Visual Axis of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

In its planning, Lijiang Old Town cleverly utilized the natural landscape of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The orientation of major streets and important buildings (such as Mu Mansion and Black Dragon Pool) is aligned with the snow mountain as a visual focus, employing the "borrowed scenery" technique. For example, looking east from Sifang Street along Qiyi Street, the main peak of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Shanzidou, is exactly on the skyline at the end of the street; Deyue Tower at Black Dragon Pool is designed as the best viewing point for the snow mountain's reflection. This design concept of incorporating natural mountains into the urban landscape is extremely rare in ancient Chinese city planning, reflecting the Naxi people's ecological wisdom of "harmony between heaven and man."

Cultural Significance: Dongba Script, Naxi Ancient Music, and Multi-Ethnic Integration

Dongba Script: The Only Pictographic Script Still in Use in the World

The Naxi Dongba culture is the soul of Lijiang Old Town. Dongba script (also called "Dongba wen") is a primitive pictographic script created and used by Dongba priests, and it is still passed down in religious rituals and folk art. According to research, Dongba script has about 1,400 characters, with forms resembling pictures—for example, the character for "sun" is drawn as a circle, and "mountain" as a triangle. In 2003, Dongba ancient books were inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. In the old town, places such as Dongba paper workshops and Dongba painting academies still demonstrate the writing and printing techniques of Dongba script.

Naxi Ancient Music: A "Living Fossil" of Tang and Song Music

Naxi ancient music is one of the most representative intangible cultural heritages of Lijiang Old Town. It blends ci-poetry music from the Tang and Song dynasties, Taoist Dongjing music, and Naxi folk tunes, and is hailed as a "living fossil of Chinese music." The performances primarily use instruments such as flute, pipa, erhu, and guzheng, with repertoire including "Bagua," "Lang Tao Sha," and "Shui Long Yin." According to research, these scores can be traced back to Tang Dynasty court music, later adapted and preserved by Naxi musicians. At the Naxi Ancient Music Association in the old town, visitors can enjoy classic pieces performed by elderly musicians.

Multi-Ethnic Integration: A Cultural Melting Pot on the Tea Horse Road

As an important hub on the Tea Horse Road, Lijiang Old Town became a meeting place for Han, Tibetan, Bai, Yi, Naxi, and other ethnic groups. This integration is reflected in architecture, cuisine, language, and religion. For example, the "three rooms and a screen wall" residences absorbed elements of Bai architecture; Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags coexist with Han Buddhist temples; and the Naxi language contains many loanwords from Chinese and Tibetan. In addition, the "caravan culture" of Lijiang Old Town still has remnants. The Caravan Museum in the old town displays saddles, bells, and trade documents used by caravans, recording this thousand-year commercial history.