There is a saying which goes: "A Trip to Yunnan means nothing without a visit to Lijiang!"
Lijiang --- "A World Cultural Heritage Site"

The Yangzi River and the Yellow River are well-known, they are the two largest rivers in China and also in Asia. They are called the two "Giant Asian Rivers". Situated between 99¡ã30' E and 100¡ã50' E and 26¡ãN and 27¡ã50' N, Lijiang can be spotted easily if one traces the Yangzi River from its mouth in Shanghai, toward its source. This ancient town has been classified by Unesco as a `World Class Cultural Legacy' as well as hailed as a `National Level Scenic Zone' and a `National Town of History and Culture' by Chinese authorities.

It has also been described as a ``beautiful shining jewel'' set on the Northwest Yunnan Plateau.
Lijiang has been a popular local tourist destination for many years but is quickly gaining popularity among foreign backpackers and leisure travellers.

This ancient city was built during the South Song Dynasty and developed into an important commercial hub for the surrounding areas. The city, which is laid out in a very uniformed manner, has retained most of its old world charm and historical relics.

A stroll around its main square, which dates back 800 years, will give one a glimpse into what life was like in this town at the height of its day. Old wooden structures and shops with their original signs will take you back to the time when China was ruled by emperors and everyone lived under a rigid class system.

Set your mind adrift, and you might be able to sense and feel the `sights and sounds' of this once great city. From the smells of freshly-baked `jaozi' to the sounds of street vendors hawking their wares or the sight of well-dressed courtesans out for a morning stroll, Lijiang can literally give a you a snapshot of history.

The city center is a historic relic in itself and boasts of over 300 stone bridges and dozens of wooden houses. The fact that these ancient structures have stood the test of time, under different periods of China's history and have weathered nature's worst, is remarkable. These structures are regarded as ``historical treasures'' by the Chinese construction industry and rightly so.

Natural wonders also add to Lijiang's beauty. China's `grand canyon', the Hutiaxia (Tiger Leaping Gorge) is a sight to behold. Lijiang also boasts the breath-taking wonder of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) which holds a remarkable glacier formation. It's the only one of its kind in the southern end of the Northern Hemisphere. Lugu Lake, the old town of Dayan and the home of the Yongning Mosuo peoples all add reasons to visit this pretty place. Due to Lijiang's long history, it was home to numerous minority tribes such as the Dongba, Naxi and Baisha peoples. The rich cultural legacies such as Naxi Classical music, the Baisha murals and documentation of unique Musuo customs all continue to fascinate locals and foreigners alike, with the latter voting it as one of the favourite destinations in China.

In 1989, the Yunnan Tourism Bureau designated Lijiang as a Level One China Tourist Hotspot. In 1992, it was ranked as the top four best travel areas by the Yunnan government.

Most Chinese would have heard the saying, ``A Trip to Yunnan means nothing without a visit to Lijiang" but all those who have travelled there would swear by this old statement.

As it gains more popularity, Lijiang's citizens are increasingly welcoming visitors from abroad and are eager to show off the beauty of their city and its rich cultural heritage.

Yunnan has a population of over one million people and covers an area of over 20,600 square kilometres. The entire district is comprised of four counties: Lijiang, Yongsheng, Huaping and Ninglang. The weather in LiJiang is remarkably pleasant. Spring lasts as long as 241 days and summer is never hot. Lijiang is 603 kilometers away from Kunming and 280 kilometres from the JingJiang Railway Station on the Kunming-Chengdu line. The airport in LiJiang had been opened since 1994.