Home to many ethnic minorities over the years, such as Naxi and Bai, the area is filled with spectacular natural scenery. The most impressive is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Outside the Andes, the mountain is the most southerly snow-capped mountain in the Northern Hemisphere. The highest point is about 18,000 feet. There are some brave climbers who hike to the summit, and others, like yours truly, take a cable car. The views are breathtaking.
One of my favorite parks in China is Black Dragon Pool Park. The mountain is in the background, with greenery, pagodas and bridges. The park is peaceful and quiet, especially in the morning. There are myriad trails around the park, including some that allow travelers to walk up a short distance for views of the surrounding area.
Travelers could spend days walking around Lijiang old town, but it's fun to travel outside to other villages. Baisha village is a Naxi community. The village boasts murals that are over 1,000 years old. Indeed they are beautiful and impressive. Just as impressive, however, is the way that the locals still live, as if time has frozen.