China Explorer Day 11

Another day - another mountain, this time the Jade Dragon Mountain. We made our way out of Lijiang and to a coach park where we changed buses and then travelled through the park to a cable car. We took the car up to a pine clad hill and then made our way along a boardwalk to an open meadow with fine views of the mountain. The weather was perfect, clear, sunny and crisp. The views of the mountain were dramatic and we had ample time to take it all in before we retraced our steps to the cable car and made our way back down.

We then stopped off at a bridge which overlooked a small waterfall and mountain stream. Below the bridge were numerous yak, which you could take a ride on out into the stream. It was all very colourful and a great way of spending the morning.

We made our way out of the park and stopped at Baisha Village for lunch and to see a temple there. This village used to be the capital of the Naxi Kingdom, but there is little evidence of its past importance today.

The village was very authentic and filled with everyday life going on. School kids coming home for lunch, farmers bringing in their crop and old men and women sitting around or playing cards. Lunch was in a 400 year old building and was excellent. We then strolled through the streets and made our way to the Liuli Temple. This has well preserved 14th Century frescoes - no pictures allowed unfortunately.

We then made our way back to Lijiang and to the old town. It is true to say that Lijiang old town is China at its best and most fake. The town was reconstructed in 1999 after an earthquake devastated the town and killed 300 people. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts many tourists, both foreign and homegrown. It is an amazing place to wander and people watch and it's almost impossible to believe that it is as young as it is, that is how good a job the Chinese have done restoring it!

We visited the Mufu Mansion, a grand 'palace' belonging to Lijiang's ruling family up to 1723. It then rained very hard which added to the atmosphere of the place as we dodged the rain and marvelled at the everyday life that spills out onto the street. Everywhere you look there is something of interest, people cooking, weaving, reading, shopping or just people watching.

After a fascinating wander around the streets we took in a Naxi music concert. The performers were mainly in their 70's and 80's, and used instruments like the zither, flute, lute and reed pipes. It probably isn't to everyone's taste, but was very interesting.