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WORLD HERITAGE TOUR | 世界遗产游

Discovering the cultural courtyards of Lijiang

打卡丽江文化院落

You can explore Naxi expressions, practice alpine wild herb known as Wikstroemia, serves treasures than ever. The cultural experience has
writing Dongba pictographs, enjoy a cup of wed- as the medium for Dongba pictographs and been truly meaningful,” Zhao said.
ding tea, wear traditional Naxi clothing, create a paintings, boasting a history of over 1,000 years. After learning about the cultural medium of
pictographic zodiac sign, and learn a Naxi dance. The “Handcraft of Lijiang” studio is seeing an Dongba paper, you’ll surely want to explore some
Although the summer tourism boom is tapering off, increasing number of appointments for those Dongba pictographs. The Dongba writing system
the cultural courtyards of Old Town of Lijiang re- interested in experiencing the traditional pa- is known as “the world’s only living pictographs,”
main a magnet for visitors, highlighting the richness per-making process. Engaging in the creation of representing a vibrant aspect of Naxi Dongba cul-
of intangible cultural heritage. Dongba paper in Lijiang Old Town is a must-do ture. In the Naxi pictographic painting experience
As you enter the “Magpie - Naxi People” cultur- activity. Participants will learn about the raw ma- studio, manager He Runyuan greets visitors with
al courtyard, your journey into intangible cultural terials and take part in peeling, tearing, pounding, enthusiasm every day. He patiently introduces tour-
heritage begins. Start by washing your hands in a scooping, and drying the paper. This traditional ists to Dongba culture, teaching them how to write
copper basin, then take a seat and enjoy a refreshing and intricate process not only offers a fun experi- Naxi pictographs, and crafting words of best wishes
crabapple drink along with candied fruit and other ence but also provides a unique glimpse into the for them using the ancient script on Dongba paper.
local snacks. After exploring the Dongba picto- culture of Lijiang and its historic old town. In recent years, Lijiang has established and
graphs with the teachers in the courtyard, the chil- Zhao and her family are from Beijing, and dur- restored 30 cultural courtyards as key venues
dren don beautiful Naxi costumes and learn to make ing the summer holiday, she decided to take her to showcase Dongba culture, Naxi wedding
traditional Naxi wedding cakes on the spot. These children to Lijiang. At the “Handcraft of Lijiang” customs, traditional songs and dances, and red
cakes are then placed over a charcoal brazier to studio, they not only witnessed the creation of culture. These cultural compounds have attracted
bake, filling the small courtyard with the delightful Dongba paper but also crafted their own souvenirs. numerous tourists, who enjoy a cultural feast in Old
aroma in no time. “This isn’t my first visit to Lijiang Old Town, but Town of Lijiang before returning home with a sense
Naxi Dongba paper, crafted from the rare this time, it feels like I’ve uncovered more hidden of fulfillment.