I happen to think that Lijiang is one of the most magnificent cities in the world. It’s not just because the old city is made of finely carved wood and restored meticulously, it’s also because it lies amidst some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
The focal point of the city is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It is a mountain that has numerous legends and for the local Naxi people whose language, Dongba, is the world’s last remaining pictographic language, it is a holy mountain. It is easy to see how this mountain would inspire awe. It has thirteen peaks and seems to resemble a dragon lying down. From afar, it is magnificent and a ride up the cable car to the point beyond which one may not climb is an amazing experience.
One way to enjoy this mountain is by viewing it from Black Dragon Pool Park. Without its magnificent views, the park would be well worth visiting because it is landscaped exquisitely and contains buildings and bridges and live music. Adjacent to the park is a museum of the Naxi people that houses all sorts of fascinating artifacts. A visit there is worthwhile if only to hear about the Dongba language and see how it works. You can also watch the embroidery of intricate silk ties. These ties take two months to embroider as complicated geometric designs are embroidered by hand with painstaking accuracy.
With the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the background, it is a most picturesque and impressive place to visit.
Here are some of the views.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (in background)
A closer view of the mountain
On the pond
The other side of the bridge
I only know Hong Kong as far as Asia is concerned, but I noticed the numerous red details or bigger “things”. Lovely photos!
It really is a gorgeous place and your photos are wonderful.
I love the place peaceful and beautiful..
Are those red lanterns to be lit lining the bridge? Lovely view of the Mountain. What a wonderful memory.
These are really beautiful shots!
Looks like a wonderful place to visit.
The pagodas are exquisite, the red tops so delicate yet elegant. The red and white riverbanks are full of flowers, an artistic touch. The buildings take us back from modern building methods to the hand craftsmanship from a time long ago. The sunny skies make the ancient architecture shine!
There are incredibly amounts of beauty in this best of all possible worlds.
Thank you for showing scenery and man-made parks just blowing my breath away.
From Felisol
What a beautiful scenery and lovely shots.
Beautiful shots, the third one is my favorite one.
How beautiful!
What BEAUTIFUL photographs of this lovely place. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs and blessings,
Those mountains in the background are gorgeous! The pond is so peaceful – the nature and the steep hill make beautiful reflections!
What beautiful pictures..thanks for sharing!
Oh, how I love clicking my camera in Asia. I haven’t been to China but I have been to South Korea and Japan! It’s so beautiful and I love your shot here!
Carolyn,
Although I have been to China, Vietnam, and Cambodia a number of times, I never can restrain myself from taking pictures. These places are very beautiful and just looking at the pictures brings me back to the feelings of contentment and calm I felt there.
Stunning photos…and the splashes of red add to the loveliness.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain looks like a climber’s paradise!
Beautiful photos of a beautiful place!
Like other sacred mountains in China, one can only go so high. There are stories of at least one team who defied an order to not climb another mountain (this one near Deqin, I believe) and the locals demonstrated and in the end a few of the climbers turned back and the ones who went on died. A memorial to them has been defaced and practically destroyed. However, on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain there is still plenty to climb. At the end of the lift up the side of the mountain there are raised wooden walking paths through beautiful woods. The whole area is magical.
In red pagodas
gods and goddesses gather—
I hear their laughter.
My Ruby Tuesday