hkskyline's 2014 in LIJIANG - China's Once Lost City

[hkskyline]

Lijiang is unique among China's ancient cities as it does not have a city wall. This is because the Chinese character of "Mu", the ruling family of the town, would become the character for "siege" if it is framed, like a wall. So the Mu family made the conscious decision to keep the town wall-free.



Lijiang's history dates from the 13th century when the Mu family moved their capital from nearby Baisha. The town was built along the mountain slopes facing the river, radiating from the commercial centre at Sifangjie. Lijiang survived many major earthquakes over its history, with the most recent in 1996. It is now a higher-end tourist trap with many fancy hotels and streets lined with shops.



























































































See more on my website at : http://www.globalphotos.org/lijiang.htm

[Nightsky]

Seems like a beautiful city witha a typical Chinese character from the old days! Is the whole city like this or is there also a modern part?

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by Nightsky

Seems like a beautiful city witha a typical Chinese character from the old days! Is the whole city like this or is there also a modern part?

The old city is fairly large although it is surrounded by a new town today.

[ColDayMan]

Very nice.

[R@ptor]

Great photos!

Unfortunately from what I hear it seems to be completely overrun by tourists these days.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by R@ptor

Great photos!

Unfortunately from what I hear it seems to be completely overrun by tourists these days.

Unfortunately, yes, and the old streets are heavily commercialized with the town square blasting clubbing music at night. I prefer to explore early in the morning before 9 when the buses of tourists arrive.

[hkskyline]

[McBane]

Nice! Reminds me of a Chinese equivalent of Brugges, Belgium.

[FREKI]

Looks very lovely and well worth a visit!

[MisterLee21]

I love it! I never thought China would have old cities of this size left!
I do hope they refurbish the older buildings, add some better retail than the one exists now, remodel the old ones to residential buildings or something like that.
Li Jiang has great potential, it gives a European old city feel, but Chinese.

[hkskyline]

Welcome to Lijiang : http://www.globalphotos.org/lijiang.htm

[hkskyline]

[Dr Awesomesauce]

China seems to be filled with cities like this. Very impressive.

I'm not sure I understand your explanation of why this city has no wall. Is this because the city was designed to make siege difficult through the design of narrow winding roads?

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

China seems to be filled with cities like this. Very impressive.

I'm not sure I understand your explanation of why this city has no wall. Is this because the city was designed to make siege difficult through the design of narrow winding roads?

It is based on superstition. The written character for the town's ruling family, if boxed (symbolizes the town wall), would mean something bad.