Half Mountain and Sea, Half Human World - Lijiang

Here's a detailed introduction to Lijiang Ancient Town: Basic Overview - Location: Situated in the Old Town District of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, in the heart of the Hengduan Mountains where Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet intersect. The central coordinates are 100°13'27.70" E, 26°52'50.43" N. - Historical Background: Built in the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Formerly known as "Dayechang," "Dayanxiang," and "Dayanli." Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. - Size: Covers 7.279 square kilometers, encompassing three ancient towns: Dayan Old Town, Shuhe Old Town, and Baisha Ancient Street. Architectural Features - Free-form Layout: The ancient town has no city walls. The overall layout follows the natural terrain of mountains and waters, with streets paved with red conglomerate rock. - Cultural Fusion: The architecture combines multiple ethnic styles, including the Naxi "log-cabin" style houses, ancient Qiang watchtowers, and traditional Han and Bai residential buildings. - Rich Water System: Yuquan Spring flows from Black Dragon Pool, splitting into three streams - West River, Middle River, and East River. These further divide into smaller channels running through the streets, creating a watertown landscape where "clear springs flow past every home and willows hang over every household." Main Attractions - Mu's Mansion: The official residence of the Mu family, the Tusi (chieftain) of Lijiang, built during the Ming Dynasty. The Assembly Hall, Ten Thousand Books Tower, and Guardian Temple are arranged along the central axis, serving as an important site for understanding Naxi history and culture. - Square Street: The central area of the ancient town, serving as a tea