Natural wonders abound at Yunnan hotspot
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Ancient Tea Horse Trail and Lashi Lake
A one-day tour combining the Ancient Tea Horse Trail and Lashi Lake near Lijiang is an excellent way to explore this fascinating area.
Ancient Tea Horse Trail was once an important trade route linking Yunnan Province to Tibet, Sichuan and beyond the borders to southern Asia. Sturdy Yunnan horses, known for their endurance, were used to transport tea from Yunnan’s Pu’er area. Today, the route has ceased to exist as a commercial conduit, but it’s a great place to hire a horse and take a ride through history.
A horseback journey normally takes one to three hours, depending on the route you choose. But no matter which route, the scenic views of mountains are stunning. Local guides, normally from the Naxi ethnic group, explain their traditions and lifestyles to visitors, as well as recounting local legends attached to historic sites.
From a lower mountain summit, visitors can get a bird’s-eye view of Lashi Lake, which is a wetland protection area in Lijiang. It’s only 10 kilometers from downtown Lijiang and close to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The deep blue lake is home to numerous birds, wild animals and plants. Visitors can also enjoy a short boat trip on the lake after returning from a horse ride.
(Zhou Yubin)
Tiger Leaping Gorge
About 60 kilometers from Lijiang is Tiger Leaping Gorge. The 15-kilometer-long gorge is where the Jinsha River runs through Haba Snow Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The narrowest place is only 25 meters wide.
According to legend, a tiger jumped across the river to escape a hunter, hence the name. It is said a large stone in the river, which still stand there today, enabled the tiger to cross the rapidly flowing current.
To get to the bottom of the canyon and up close to the magnificent Jinsha River, visitors need to hike for about 2.5 hours down a narrow stone path. The trail is not particularly difficult and affords fresh mountain air and lovely views.
A “sky ladder” is built into the cliff, providing a shortcut back to the top of the gorge. It is almost 90 degrees vertical, so try not to look back when you are climbing it.
For those who want a longer hike, it takes two days to walk the entire 15 kilometers through the gorge. Small diners and hostels can be found along the way.
(Zhou Yubin)
Lugu Lake
Six hours from Lijiang is Lugu Lake, a water feature of deep azure. It is a hidden gem straddling Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The Sichuan section is famed for its vast sea of reeds and myriad water birds. The northwestern part of the lake, in Yunnan, affords enchanting views of the Mountain of Goddess Gemu.
Lige, an islet that forms a causeway over the lake, is one of the most visited sites here. Get up early and take a boat trip to enjoy the sunrise. When night falls, bonfires are lit along the lake for dining under the stars on fresh grilled fish.
Lugu Lake is the “mother” of the local Mosuo ethnic minority, a civilization that still practices matriarchy. You can see the Mosuo culture up close in Xiaoluoshui Village on the border of Yunnan and Sichuan. Visitors are advised not to ask too many probing questions about the local “walking marriage” custom.
(Liu Xiaolin)
Where to stay
Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa
Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa, at the entrance of Shuhe old town, has 130 low-rise deluxe rooms and villas. Each villa has over 100 square meters of floor space, with courtyard garden views and outdoor hot tubs at some deluxe villas. The resort also has five restaurants and bars.
Address: 5 Liming Rd, Shuhe old town, Gucheng District, Lijiang
Tel: (0888) 530-0111
Banyan Tree Lijiang Resort
Adjacent to Shuhe, the quieter of Lijiang’s two old towns, Banyan Tree Lijiang Resort has more than 40 villas, designed in local Naxi architectural style. Its signature spa has six double private rooms and one deluxe room.
Address: Yuerong Rd, Shuhe old town, Gucheng District, Lijiang
Tel: (0888) 533-1111
Grand Hyatt Lijiang
Grand Hyatt Lijiang spans two locations. The main location has 305 guest rooms, suites and villas. It features Naxi design elements such as oak paneled doors and earthen brick walls. The second location, to the east of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, has more than 110 guest rooms and suites.
Address: 8 Xiangjiang Rd, Dayan old town, Gucheng District, Lijiang
Tel: (0888) 531-1234
InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort
This resort features a gym and indoor swimming pool. It also has a 710-square-meter meeting hall with a capacity of 560, along with three smaller halls and seven meeting rooms for MICE conventions.
Address: 276 Xianghe Rd, Gucheng District (Dayan old town), Lijiang
Tel: (0888) 558-8888
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