Naxi ethnic dancing.	A view of Lijiang Old Town.	Traditional rowers on Lugu Lake.

NESTLED along the middle reaches of the Jinsha River, the westernmost headwater of the Yangtze, Lijiang has from its earliest days been the political, economic and cultural center of northwest Yunnan Province, achieving its peak of influence during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), when it became a major commercial link between China, India and Nepal.

A Unique Natural Wonder

Among its many distinctions, Lijiang has been named a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, and with an area of 20,600 square kilometers and a population of 1.1 million, the city has everything needed to become a destination of choice for those seeking both majestic scenery and the comforts of a premier resort.

Yulong Snow Mountain, for one, is a 26,300-hectare national scenic area, judged to be a world-class tourist attraction and known locally as the "Glacier Museum"; and the "Treasury of Animals and Plants."; Laojun Mountain, located in the heart of the "Three Parallel Rivers"; - between the Jinsha, the Lancang and the Nujiang - contains unique Danxia landforms, dense virgin forests and a wealth of flora and fauna, making the area one of the world's richest in terms of biodiversity. The old town of Lijiang, 3.8 square kilometers and nearly 1,000 years old, provides a cultural treasure house to compare with the best nature has to offer.

The World's Oldest Matriarchy

Along the banks of Lugu Lake, one of nine plateau lakes in the province, the Mosuo people keep alive the world's oldest form of matriarchal society, described as the "last pure land of matrilineal culture,"; while the Dongba culture of the Naxi ethnic group - a cultural system that includes Dongba writings, "the only living pictograph,"; Naxi ancient music, Dongba painting, Dongba scriptures, architectural art and religious culture - constitutes a living store of history.

A World Model for Cultural Preservation

When Lijiang first applied to be recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site, it was done without any commercial consideration in mind. Following a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Lijiang on Feb 3, 1996, city leaders decided the opportunity was right to rebuild with a view to conserving the city's rich heritage. Guided by a vision to restore the ancient town, all municipal and manufacturing functions were relocated, transforming the city into a green zone.

In October 2001, 400 delegates from 22 nations gathered in Lijiang to discuss how future development could be wedded to historic preservation, and the model adopted has since become the standard for world heritage sites. By employing local craftsmen, the traditional skills used to build the city are being passed along to succeeding generations, ensuring the continued vitality of the Dongba culture.

At the same time, modernity has not been neglected, with a sophisticated project to harness the power of the Jinsha River and promote the city's energy independence in progress. Together, the government and people of Lijiang have resolved to preserve the past while building for the future.

Olympics in Beijing, Sightseeing in Lijiang

When the Beijing Olympic Games open in August, Lijiang will have a chance to display its unique gifts. By transforming itself from a traditional scenic attraction into a premier resort destination, the city is now ready to welcome visitors from around the world.

On June 10, 2008, the Olympic torch relay arrived in Lijiang. As its people celebrated, a common dream was reiterated by young and old alike: "Olympics in Beijing, Sightseeing in Lijiang."; Even if all you do is relax in a Naxi courtyard, a trip to Lijiang will only leave you richer for the experience.