LiJiang

Peter:

I was really impressed by my limited time outside in Lijiang. I'd love to go back and explore and especially climb some of the hills in the area, including Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Lijiang is a UNESCO world heritage site and you can see why. It is home, mainly, to the Naxi people who are believed to have been in the area for the last 1400 years. The Naxi have a polytheistic religion called dongba with led by shamans. The Naxi also have their own pictographic language (think hieroglyphics) with about 1400 characters. They also have unique musical instruments, although similar to traditional chinese instruments, and a unique form of music.

Naxi society is matrilineal. Inheritance passes from the mother to the youngest daughter and women typically control the money and trade at the markets. In some villages there are no husbands. The man just comes to see the woman late at night after everyone has gone to bed and then leaves by morning. Relationships can be monogamous or polygamous. The father has not responsibility for the child. Children are raised by the mother and her siblings/parents.

Naxi houses are made of timber. In some ways the old town area of Lijiang reminded me of the Swiss alps. The timber homes look a little like Swiss chalets, although chalets don't have bamboo roofs. The town itself is nestled in hills and on clear mornings the spectacular mountain called Jade Dragon Snow Mountain rises over the town. There are cobblestone streets and a pretty river flows through the town. It is a very touristy area, but despite this it retains its charm and beauty.