The fact that I was not disappointed despite the hype of visiting a humanly-accessible Garden of Eden only speaks to the awesomeness of creation. (Note: none of these photos have been photoshopped or altered in any way.)
Lijiang is home to the Naxi (pronounced Naw-she) people group, who comprise about 40% of the city's population. The Naxi people take great pride in their rich culture, showcasing their traditions in song and dance with the grandest backdrop ever created: the unconquered Jade Dragon Snow Mountains themselves. (See the note above about photoshopping.)
I'm usually disturbed when The Fountains on Hwy 59 tries their hand at clear, blue water in the fountain display, sans "clear." Maybe I've eaten at Sweet Tomatoes too many times, because now when I actually encounter clear, blue water, my instinct is skepticism: can water really have that many shades of blue? that's not actually the bottom of the lake I'm seeing, right?...
Along the grassy path of the Old City, tourists were encouraged to keep off the grass in three languages: Naxi, Chinese, and Chinglish ("Be kind to the followers and grasses"). :)
Yak yogurt anyone? YES, PLEASE! Call me hesitant at first, but that yak yogurt is some tasty stuff!
Natural refrigeration: the green way to chill a cold one =P
Old Town Lijiang is square foot after square foot of shops and restaurants, usually selling the same things. This restaurant, however, wins the prize for the longest name ever: "The Guiyang characteristic skin records the old shop to bake the shop"--try fitting that on a business card! =P
After climbing the mountain by the Black Dragon Pond, we were rewarded by the majestic view of the city at sunset. Many men built the thousands of buildings below, but only One created the landscape that holds them.
If I could choose to be anywhere for hours on end, it would be to sit somewhere tranquil, staring at a masterpiece.
Praise be to the artist Himself.
