Lijiang (麗江) is an old traditional town in northwestern Yunnan Province, China. The town's history goes back more than 1000 years, and has become famous for its stone carved system of waterways and bridges. It has been called the "Venice of the East", and is home to the Naxi people.  The old town of Lijiang differs from other ancient Chinese cities in architecture, history and the culture of its traditional residents the Naxi.  Lijiang was registered on UNESCO's World Heritage List on December 4, 1997. Since then, Lijiang's national and international tourism has continued to boom.  Due to the "must see" tourist destination status, UNESCO is reconsidering the town's addition to the World Heritage List.  Li Jiang is a launching point for trips to Zhong Dian/Sangrila and Tibet, Burmese/Myanmar border area, Himalayas and Mt. Mei Li, and to the Tibet-Sichuan-Yunnan border area.  Closer to Li Jiang is the famous Tiger Leaping Gorger.  Referred to as the deepest gorge in the world, it is a spectacular sight.  A classically Chinese cliff e

tched path high above a raging river below, dotted with local guesthouses where one can find a warm cup of Yak butter tea, the gorge is an exceptional place.  On the other side is the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reaching a height of 6,000 meters.  From old town Li Jiang the mountain is in clear sight; the picture to the right.  Daytime strolls through narrow alleyways laced with ancient doors and traditional gardens, winding alongside and crossing stone canals followed by evening canal-side dining and finished with a Naxi traditional Dongba concert, makes for a unique day in Li Jiang.  Local villages, including  La Xi, house continuous Nature Conservancy projects and are an excellent source of local environmental education.