Lijiang (丽江) *Cheated Experience 茶马古道

Lijiang majority are Naxi people and they mostly believe in Doba Religion. Naxi culture is special because the people are less modernized and the people developed a writing system, a music style, and a religion different than the majority of Chinese. Three old districts in this small city retain a special character of Naxi and Han construction, Naxi customs, arts and culture. Lijiang was a former trading town and a stop for traders carrying goods on the “Chama Road” trails. It shall be a beautiful place with it's ancient town, but what is so disappointing me is there are some unhonest people out there. I have a very bad and angry experience at Lijiang. A gentle warning to bare packer who will travel like us, there are a lot of scam to cheat tourist!

1. Shuhe Town (束河古镇)

We overnight at this ancient town after a tire long journey from Tiger Leaping Gorge（虎跳峡). We have to good bye to our private driver. This town is one of the ancient districts are somewhat preserved and less redeveloped. It is a good place to see traditional beauty because it retain more of the old Naxi architecture, customs, and also a lot of hotel restaurant can be found at this town.

2. Chama Road and Lashi Lake (茶马古道 和 拉市海）

We hired a 'blue van driver' (面包车师傅）at  Shuhe Town to go to Chama Road or Chama gudao and Lashi lake. This 'blue van' driver charged us 260RMB at this low session. I believe all 'blue van' driver has connection with the Chama gudao tourist ticket reception. Dear friend, there is a serious trick at Chama gudao-Lashi Lake tourist ticket reception! The guy will explained to you their several route to play at there. We took route No. 6 but without horse riding as we have old folks scare to ride horse. After bargained with the tour guy, he gave us 300RMB per person including price for old folk without horse riding. I personally found, nothing to visit or play at there without horse riding. We walked at Chama gudao, smelt the horse urine, nothing much to see. The hiking trek is called Changma gudao and all route is actually referring to same place but just they charge different price to cheat tourist. The worst is when we back to Lijiang old town, there are plenty agencies offering day trip to Chama gudao- Lashi Lake with all in ticket (horse riding, boat, return transport, insurance and 1 meal) at only 80RMB per person! Oh my god, we only realised that they has charged us over over price! 7 times more expensive than normal price!!! The scam is every where in Lijiang. I feel very disgusting and dislike Lijiang and the Naxi people there after this experience!!!

Our private driver who has link with those scammer

茶马古道 

拉市海

Nevertheless, some good and honest people still out there. Lucky we met an Inn reception girl who is very honest. She is very helpful and offer us a reasonable stay at her Inn. 

3. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountains (玉龙雪山)

This Jade Dragon (Yu Long)Snow Mountains (玉龙雪山) are a small group of peaks close to the city of Lijiang. The mountain can be clearly seen from the Black Dragon Pool next to the ancient district. This mountain can be seen from city of Lijiang. We din't go up the mountain as we have no time. The picture was taken when we have our lunch at a local restaurant and we can have this nice mountain view when enjoying our lunch. 

Snow Mountain View

3. Baisha Quarter (白沙古镇)

Baisha Quarter is one of the ancient districts are somewhat preserved. Here still retain more of the old Naxi architecture and customs. This town actually is less busy and less people visit compare to another two ancient town. It is also less redeveloped, so we can more traditionally decorated buildings and the older construction. Of course, we can have a nice view of Yu Long Snow Mountain.

4. Black Dragon Pool (黑龙潭）

Two important building complexes in the Black Dragon Pool are the Longquan Temple (Dragon Spring Temple) and Black Dragon Palace. We finally decided not to visit this place. We only took a picture at entrance. 

5. Dayan Ancient City District (大研古城), Mu Fu木俯, Si fang Jie (四方街)

We finally find a hotel to overnight at this ancient town. I will highly recommend this 'Family Inn of Lijiang Old Town (古城人家客栈)' because the receptionist is a very nice and honest lady although the hotel environment is not so good, but it still preserved the traditional building. 

At Dayan Ancient City district, vehicles are banned from the Dayan Ancient City District ro help to preserve some of the old character and to keep the area from being swamped with traffic jams. Here are busy with people and tourists and very happening at day and night time. It's a large area that Dayan connected to Mu Fu or Mu Residence which is like a miniature Forbidden City 木俯) and Square Street or Si fang Jie (四方街) where we can find a lot of shops, restaurants, hotel, foods and pubs here.

Our Dinner Here

Si fang Jie (四方街)

6. GuanYin Gorge (观音峡）
GuanYin Gorge or Guan Yin Xia (观音峡) is place to visit when on the way to Lijiang Airport. It is near to Lijiang Airport. We visited here before catching our flight in afternoon back to Kunming.

 

Accomodation:
1.  Shuhe Town (束河古镇)
     Moon River Inn 月泉客栈  
      Tel: 13988894688 / +86-888-5136546

2.  Dayan Ancient City District (大研古城)
     Family Inn of Lijiang Old Town (古城人家客栈）
     Tel: 0888-5169666  Mobile: 13988845456 / 13988875688
     Address: 中国丽江，大研古城光义街忠义巷148号 （木俯旁）
    *This is just nice and old town design, I like this inn because they are honest and helpful.