Banyan Tree Lijiang . Destination Guide
Lijiang Yunnan Attractions
Mist and clouds adrift caressing snow-capped mountains. Violet, yellow and baby pink flowers, played up with the softness of emerald green lush carpets. Limestone crags glistening with placid reflections of the flaxen sun. The tender panorama of Lijiang's backdrop is a rare, delicate sight and the temptation is to stop blinking totally.
The legendary Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which looks akin to a jade dragon lying in the clouds, is the indisputable national park of Lijiang. It is home to 400 different types of trees and 30 varieties of animals graze on the beautiful grassland. The fir trees, dragon spruce, Chinese wistaria, azaleas, primroses, lilies, rhododendrons, peonies and orchids lie brightly scattered on the many slopes of this mountain according to the altitude and temperature. The famous 500-year-old camellia tree known as the 'No. One Tree Under Heaven' lies at the southern foot of Jade Dragon, flanked by the Yufeng Temple built in 1756 during Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty. On the other hand, Dr Joseph Rock's mysterious tree that apparently 'shivers when you touch it', is hidden somewhere in the alpine forests. Jade Dragon is also home to the rare Wild Snow Tea, which has medicinal benefits.
Towering at 5,600 meters with 13 majestic peaks, Jade Dragon is the southernmost glacier of the Northern Hemisphere. With Fan Peak as its pinnacle, this sanctuary is like an eco-zoo for the Yunnan golden monkey, alpine butterflies, lesser pandas, musk deer, Lady Amhearst's pheasants and the sacred black-necked cranes. The months of December to March are best for seasonal bird-watching at Lashi Lake. If you prefer cushioned comfort, you can take in the quiet spirit of this mountain via the cable lift to Dragon Spruce Meadow, halfway to the glacier's peak.
On the way north towards Shangri-La is the equally alluring Tiger Leaping Gorge, which lies in-between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the latter's neighbor, Haba Snow Mountain. When you look down the tremendously steep cliff from either of the mountains, the echo of the gushing rapids from the Golden Sands River is music to the ears. Soft whispers become a roaring crescendo if you wish to participate in river rafting amid this deepest gorge in the world.
Buddhism continues to attract new converts worldwide, and the Baisha frescoes some 8km away from Lijiang, offer important insights into the art and heritage of Tibetan buddhist, Han buddhist and Taoist culture. Painted by 53 fresco groups in all, the murals detail a harmonious balance of color, harmony and patterns. Press on with a foray into the religious influences of the area, with a visit to the Yufeng Lamasery, one of seven monasteries in Lijiang. A giant camellia tree stands in its grounds at some 3 meters, while a mind-boggling 20,000 flowers blossom on the plant each year!
As the beauty of your Lijiang experience holds you in helpless thrall, venture further afield along the Jinshal River towards Baoshan secret stone village. Located 100km outside of Lijiang, everything in this disguised nook of the world is made of stone, including the ovens, beds and water vats! This remote village is sequestered on all sides by an impregnable cliff, with a small path serving as its only contact to the outside world.
Another wonderful phenomenon worth exploring is the Dry Sea, located at the eastern base of Jade Dragon. What was once a highland glacial lake is now a sprawling meadow to which local shepherds bring their cattle, goats and sheep to graze. This is also the perfect spot for skiing, grass-sliding, gliding and horse-racing. Don't miss out on a visit to the First Bend of the Yangtze River, which is a geological marvel because the river first travels southeast, then makes a 180-degree V-shaped turn going up northeast again. Neither should a visit to Yunshanping, a large expanse of pasture hidden in the virgin forest on the east of Yulong Snow Mountain, be omitted. Throughout history, the grasslands were a clandestine meeting place for forbidden lovers wrenched apart by parental objections to their union. This romantic legacy has gradually dissolved however. Yunshanping now hosts folk performers from the minority groups, who serenade the most love-lorn of species. Tourists.
See our Lijiang packages & promotions
