16 Traditional Ethnic Villages around Lijiang Old Town
Most of people have been to Ancient Town of Lijiang(丽江古城), however they maybe unclear the differences and connections of Ancient Lijiang and old town of Lijiang City（丽江古城区）. old town of Lijiang City is one district belongs to Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, and it administers 4 streets, 4 countries, 1 town, namely totally 18 communities, 35 villages.
Ancient Lijiang has won the titles of one of the most desirable ten Chinese small cities, one of the 100 most interesting cities on the planet, the most favorite tourist city for Europeans, and Chinese excellent tourist city.
Such a good place had better visit further attentively. We are supposed to take each ancient village of old town of Lijiang City as roads map and walk around. The Chinese country has published three batches of Chinese traditional villages. There are 502 Yunnan villages listed in the national traditional villages list. Yunnan ranks first in the whole country, while among these 502 villages, there are 48 ancient Liliang villages, and there are 16 villages come from old town of Lijiang City. For knowing these ancient villages better, Yunnan Exploration specially edits and compiles the main tourist attractions and highlights of these ancient villages, and provides reference for you as private customized further tourism planning strategy.
Qihe Town(七河镇)，old town of Lijiang City, 7 ancient villages included.
1.Jin’an Village(金安村)
Jin’an Village is a natural village affiliated to the Yangjian Administrative Village(羊见行政村), Qihe Town（七河镇）, ancient downtown of Lijiang City. From the south to the north, the ancient Jin’an village is covered by the hundred-year ancient canals and the main roads which connect to each farmer’s. Take full use of the ditches on both sides of the roads, plenty of rains fall down and drain to Jinsha River(金沙江). The village is clean and hygienic, and there are green trees and red flowers set the farmhouses off. Rippling rivers, singing birds and the landscape garden villages are integrated perfectly.
How to go to Jinan Village by Self-help in-depth Tour
Jin’an Village is a village affiliated to the Yangjian Administrative Village, Qihe Town, the old town of Lijiang City. It is 2 km away from Yangjian Administrative Village and 25 km away from the government of Qihe Town.
2、Xinminxia Village(新民下村)
Xinmin Down Village is a natural village affiliated to Xinmin Village Committee(新民居委会) of Qihe Town. It has the longest history and the most profound cultural heritage. The beautiful village is located at the foot of lofty Xishan Mountain（西山） and on the side of Yigong River(漾弓江). Xinmin Down Village used to be called as “Duoruoke” (垛若科) by the Lijiang Naxi ethnic people since there was a ramp at the south of the village. The ramp was the first ramp when Caravan walked along Tea-horse Ancient Route from Nanzhao(南诏) to Lijiang. Consequently it was also called “Lishou Village”(丽首村) by the Bai ethnic people of Dali.
How to go to Xinmin Down Village:
Xinmin Dow Village is affiliated to Qihe Town, the old town of Lijiang City, and is 17 km away from Lijiang City.
3、Nanxi Village(南溪村)
Nanxi Village is a natural village affiliated to the Gonghe Village Committee(共和村委会) of Qihe Town, the old town of Lijiang City. It is an ancient village that inherits Dongba Culture(东巴文化). Nanxi Village is located in an alpine flat dam at the top of Wenbi Peak（文笔峰） in Huangshan Town（黄山镇）, Lijiang City. It is 3200 meters above sea level and has the highest altitude and the most unique location of Naxi village in Lijiang. Like Wenhai(文海), every late spring, when the wildflowers are full of hillsides, the colorful florets are entirely blooming and on the alpine meadows. The view is just like beautiful brocade, even if it is not the most gorgeous, people’s hearts are very intoxicated.
How to get to Nanxi Village
Nanxi Village is located in the northwest of Qihe Town, 24 kilometers away from Lijiang City. Cycling or chartered is recommended.
4、Donguan Village(东关村)
Dongguan Village is a natural village affiliated to the Gonghe Village Committee of Qihe Town. It is located at downslope of the first gate of Lijiang Three-Gates, namely the Yulong Gate(玉龙关) which is a Naxi ethnic inhabited village and is adjacent to Guanyin Gorge（观音峡） which is a famous scenic spot in Lijiang. When we mention Dongguan Village characteristic tourism, we must talk about twenty-four filial pieties culture in Dongguan Village: Dutiful Offspring Temple（孝子庙） is located in Dongguan Village, and the temple was built in the spring of the 14th year of Emperor Guangxu (that is, in 1887). The temple’s doors and windows take 24 filial pieties as themes and the craftsmanship are very meticulous and beautiful, fully demonstrate the traditional virtues of Chinese millenniums civilization.
How to go to Dongguan Village:
Dongguan Village is 17 kilometers away from the ancient downtown of Lijiang City and 6 kilometers away from Lijiang Airport.
5、Zhongpai Village(中排村)
Zhongpai Village is a natural village affiliated to Wufeng Village Committee(五峰村委会) of Qihe Town, the old town of Lijiang City. In Zhongpai Village, new farmhouses could be seen everywhere. And in every courtyard of each household, you can see the distinctive Bai ethnic architectural elements. Besides, there is tradition of going to the temple fair on 3rd March. On 3rd March of the lunar calendar every year, the Bai ethnic people from Lijiang and Heqing(鹤庆) must go to mountain temple and take part in the temple fair. How bustling the spectacle is!
How to go to Zhongfeng Village, Wufeng Village:
Wufeng Village is 15 kilometers away from the government of Qihe Town. The road is a cement road which is convenient transportation.
6、Xinmin Shangcun Village(新民上村)
Xinmin Upper Village is a natural village affiliated to Xinmin Village Committee（新民村委会）. Ancient roads, ancient trees and ancient temples are three treasures of Xinmin Upper Village. There are more than 200 ancient trees around this village, and the age of the trees is more than two or three hundred years old. The old temple in the middle of the village is named “Kuixing Pavilion”(魁星阁)。 It was built in Daoguang Bingwu, namely 1864 year. Nowadays, this ancient temple has become a place of social activities for the local elderly. In Xinmin Upper Village, there are many historical sites such as the Temple of Heaven(天堂庙) on the Jiutai Mountain(九台山) and the White Pagoda (白塔).
How to travel in Xinmin Upper Village:
Xinmin Upper Village is located in Xinmin New Village, Qihe Town, the old town of Lijiang City. It is 0.9 km away from the village committee and 5 km away from Qihe Town. It is only half an hour’s drive from Lijiang to the Xinmin Upper Village, and we can take a bus.
7、Gonghexiguan Village (共和西关村)
Gonghexiguan Village is in Qihe County, the old town of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It was included in the list of traditional Chinese villages in 2012. Xiguan Village is located at the Yulong Gate(玉龙关) of the Three Major Gates of Lijiang Dam. It is the only gateway and military fortress for the tea-horse ancient road from Lijiang to Tibet. Lijiang Chieftain Lord Mu had built custom and barrack here. On January 25, 1639 A.D., Xu Xiake(徐霞客), the great traveler of China, entered the custom of Gongheiiguan Village with the invitation of Chieftain Lord Mu. Xu wrote and left the extravagant praise “Beautiful gorge is covered by bend water and fields”（ 坞盘水曲，田畴环焉）. Guanyin Gorge（观音峡） is the first key of Lijiang, so it is called “the first scene of Lijiang.”
How to go to the Xiguan Village by self- tour in the old town of Lijiang City:
Gonghe Xiguan Village is located in Qihe Town, the old town of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It is just in the north of Qihe Town and only 17 kilometers away from Lijiang City.
Suhe Street(束河街道), the old town of Lijiang City (3 ancient villages included)
8、Longquan Village(龙泉村)
Longquan Village is an administrative village of Shuhe Street in the old town of Lijiang. Longquan Village is located at the core of Lijiang Scenic Areas. It is the pivot point for visiting the scenic spots of old town of Lijiang, Yulong Snow Mountain(玉龙雪山), Lugu Lake(泸沽湖), First Bay of Yangtze River(长江第一湾)and Three Parallel Rivers(三江并流). The ancient town is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the houses are well-proportioned and facing the country lanes. Look down at Yulong Mountain from the north, and look up Xiang Mountian and Wenbi(文笔) from the southeast, the four seasons’ sceneries are changing and mysterious.
Longquan Village is the earliest settlement of the Naxi ancestors and the birthplace of Chieftain Lord Mu. It is an important station of the tea-horse ancient road in history. It completely preserves Caravan Culture(茶马文华), Cultivation Culture（农耕文化）, Naxi Culture （纳西文化）and Ecological Culture（生态文化）. It is known as the “Hidden Paradise at the down Sown Mountain”, “Mysterious Naxi Ancient Village” and “The Hometown of the Millennium Springs”. The natural scenery, folk customs, historical sites and multicultural landscapes, all these are the complement and extension of the old town of Lijiang.
How to go to Longquan Village:
Longquan Village is located at northwest of old town of Lijiang, namely 4 kilometers away from of old town of Lijiang, and is the core of Shuhe Ancient Town.
9、Zhongxin Village(忠信村)
Zhongxin Village is a natural village affiliated to the Huangshan Community(黄山社区) of Shuhe Street. It is located at the foot of Xishan Mountain in Lijiang. The first sunshine of the Lijiang dam is sprinkled on the Naxi village which is backed by the green hills, facing the green mountains and full of green trees’ shade. The reason that Zhongxin Village is a traditional Chinese village is for the completely preserved Naxi residential buildings which stem from Qing Dynasty. Such as the green tiles and white walls, the three squares and one wall, the four-in-five patio, and the residential buildings that entering one door through two courtyards can be seen everywhere.
How to go to the traditional village, Zhongxin Village:
Zhongxin Village is located in the west of Shuhe Street, and is 2 km away from the Committee and 4 km away from Shuhe Subdistrict Office.
10、Puji Village(普济村)
Puji Village is a natural village affiliated to the Zhongji Community(中济社区) of Shuhe Street in the Old Town of Lijiang. Puji Village, Shuhe Ancient Town, Lijiang, is a Naxi village with intact forest covered. At the behind of Puji Mountain, there is full of pear trees. Every time when the pear trees bloom, the entire Puji Village is surrounded by white pear flowers. Besides, there are also plum blossoms and catalpa flowers. The scenery is very beautiful throughout the year.
How to travel to Puji Village
Puji Village is 1 km away from Zhongji Community Committee(中济社区居委会) and 2.50 km from Shuhe Street (Shuhe Ancient Town束河古镇). It takes 20-minute drive from the old town of Lijiang to Puji Village.
Jinshan County, the old town of Lijiang(3 ancient villages)
11 Guifeng Village(贵峰村)
Guifeng Village is located in the south of Lijiang Dongbazi(东坝子), east side is Qingshan（青山）, west side is Yugong River(漾弓江), and north side is connected to Liangmei(良美). The beauty of Guifeng Village is from the connection from mountains and rivers. Lijiang Guifeng Village is known as the “Little Yanan” (小延安)of Lijiang. The “Kainan Institute”（开南研习所）, a revolutionary site in Guifeng Village, has been included in the revolutionary traditional education base and the youth patriotism education base in Yunnan Province. Guifeng Community is one of the birthplaces of the Naxi Dongba Culture. The Naxi Cultural Training Hall, the Naxi Ancient Music Exercise, the Dongba Culture Heritage, and the folk songs and dances are still the main activities of the villagers.
How to go to Guifeng Village, Lijiang
Lijiang Guifeng Village is located in Jinshan County, the old town of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, and it is 1.5 km away from Guifeng Village Committee and 12 km from Jinshan County. The transportation is very convenient.
12、Yangxi Village(漾西村)
The Yangxi Community is the southern gate of Lijiang. It is dominated by the Naxi people and has some ethnic groups such as Han, Bai, Tibetan and Yi Ethnics. Yangxi Village is backed by the Snake Mountain(蛇山), and the Gongjiang River（漾弓江） runs through the north to south, forms a unique natural scenery. The sedimentary history and culture make Yangxi more attractive: such as the discovered 100 thousand years long and rebuilt “Lijiang People’s Site” museum, and the national key cultural relics protection unit of the Ming Dynasty’s Chieftain Lord Mu Teach Offspring, still well preserved Wande Palace(万德宫). At same time, here is the first village of the Red Army’s long march when army went through Lijiang.
How to go to Yangxi Village, Lijiang by self- tour:
Yangxi Village is affiliated to Jinshan Bai Ethnic County, the old town of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It is located in the southeast of Jinshan Bai Ethnic County. It is 4 kilometers away from the Government of Jinshan County. It is a cement road which is convenient. It is 5 kilometers away from the old town of Lijiang City.
13、 Qilinang Village(启良村)
Qiliang Village is a natural village affiliated to Liangmei Village Committee(良美村委会) of Jinshan County, the old town of Lijiang City. The layout of Qiliang Village is not laid in line, but laid in the trends of mountains. The houses are naturally distributed, and the households are separated by green trees. The villages, landscapes, trees, fields and people are integrated perfectly. Qiliang Village has “six ancients”: ancient mines, ancient kiln, ancient temples, ancient roads, ancient wells, and ancient monuments. Today’s Qiliang has become idyllic beautiful scenery, and there are still old broken tiles and bricks aside the fields and among the ditches.
How to go to Qiliang Village
Qiliang Village is 1 km away from the committee and 5 km away from the Government of Jinshan County.
Cultural Street of the old town of Lijiang City(丽江古城区文化街道)
14、Xiangyang Village(向阳村)
Xiangyang Village is a natural village affiliated to the Dongjiang Committee (东江居委会)of Cultural Street. Xiangyang Village is 2.59 square kilometers mountainous area with altitude of 1960 meters. The annual average temperature is 14 °C. The whole village administers a villager group with 39 households and 163 rural populations.
Xiangyang Village is 4 km away from Dongjiang Committee and 20 km away from Cultural Street.
Jinan Town, the old town of Lijiang City(丽江古城区金安镇)
Wubaili Village(五坝里村)
Wubali Village is a natural village affiliated to the Yixin Village Committee (义新村委会) of Jin’an Town, the old town of Lijiang City. Xi, Bai, Han, and Dai ethnic groups live together in this ancient village. There are tea-horse ancient roads sites in the village. In history, it has played a role in national fusion and integration. In the dense forests and woods, it is still faintly visible that the horses-walked roads and old lived-houses. On a small river called “Holy Drinking”(圣洁喝) that flows through the village, there is a stone arch bridge that is more than 610 years old. This stone arch bridge named “Golden Dragon Bridge”(金龙桥) is the essential part of tea-horse ancient roads.
How to go to Wubali Village Tourism:
Wubali Village is 7 kilometers away from Yixin Village Committee, and 17 kilometers away from the Government of Jinan Town, and 40 kilometers away from Lijiang City.
Dadong County, the old town of Lijiang City(丽江古城区大东乡)
Dadong Village(大东村)
Dadong Village is an administrative village in Dadong County. Dadong Village is located in the middle of Dadong County, the old town of Lijiang City. Dadong Village has rich and colorful folk culture, such as Dongba Culture, folk music and dance, special instrumental music, residential architecture, national costumes, food customs, traditional festivals, traditional crafts and numerous national folktales. Among them, the unique “Hot Beauty”(热美磋) music and dance has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage protection list.
How to go to Lijiang Dadong Village by self-driving tour:
Dadong Village is affiliated to Dadong County, the old town of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, and is 68 kilometers away from Lijiang City.
Note: The number of traditional Chinese villages has reached 4,153. While the number of ancient villages in the “Chinese Traditional Villages List” in the old town of Lijiang City is 17 (the early 16 in the first to third batches and the seventeenth is added in from the fourth batch). Traditional Chinese villages, used to be known as ancient villages. Traditional villages contain rich historical information and cultural landscapes, which are the greatest legacy of Chinese farming civilization. Many ancient villages have become popular tourist attractions, the others are waiting to be protectively developed. Most importantly, the regrettable thing is that many local governments in China only care short-term GDP figures, and spend a lot of money to create fake local home stay, only make real treasures hidden in the mountains. Let us make the ancient villages travel prosperous, travel ancient villages and help the poor, what is really win-win situation.
