Page 17 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (110)

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A journey into World Cultural Heritage

走进世界文化遗产

Tucked amidst the mountains of north- Lijiang Old Town earned its place on the
western Yunnan, Lijiang Old Town emerges World Cultural Heritage List in 1997. Its
as a serene, wall-less ancient city. Babbling profound value is not merely embedded in
streams whisper through its winding blue- the ancient stones, plants, and structures,
stone paths, which seem to unfurl like liv- but vibrantly pulsates through the daily lives
ing poetry. The timeless melody of ancient of its inhabitants. Demonstrating this living
Naxi music gently fills the air. heritage, numerous old courtyards have
Dating back over 800 years, Lijiang Old been thoughtfully restored and brought back
Town’s origins are rooted in its strategic to life. Notable among these are the Former
location at a bend of the Jinsha River, his- Residence of Fang Guoyu, the Heaven and
torically known as the Lijiang River, from Earth Courtyard, the Heng Yu Gong Folk tained. Moreover, new business formats, central marketplace, easily accessible from
which the town derives its name. Today, Li- House Museum, and the Naxi Hieroglyph- including charming homestays, slow-paced every direction, teemed with countless
jiang Old Town collectively refers to Dayan ics Painting Experience Center. To date, tea and coffee experiences, and dedicated shops and was a constant convergence point
Old Town (its main component), Baisha Lijiang Old Town has restored over 30 such travel photography services, have rapidly for merchants. Crucially, the absence of de-
Residential Complex, and Shuhe Residential cultural courtyards, establishing dynamic emerged, drawing an increasing number of fensive city walls allowed horse caravans to
Complex. The distinct residential buildings new platforms for cultural preservation and visitors who seek to immerse themselves in freely enter the ancient city from all sides,
within the city are predominantly court- offering visitors enriched perspectives for a the authentic daily life of the ancient city. remarkably streamlining the flow of goods
yard-style, beautifully integrating the cultural deeper understanding of its unique spirit. Located where Yunnan, Sichuan, and and fostering its economic dynamism.
characteristics of multiple ethnic groups, in- Simultaneously, with the evolution of Xizang converge, Lijiang Old Town histor- While the horse caravans that once plied
cluding Han, Bai, Yi, Zang, and Naxi. the times, digital technologies like 5G, the ically functioned as a crucial hub on both the Ancient Tea Horse Road have long since
Water is the lifeblood of Lijiang Old Town; Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and artifi- the Southern Silk Road and the Ancient Tea vanished, Lijiang Old Town remains a thriv-
as a beautiful saying goes, streams flow to cial intelligence have seamlessly integrated Horse Road. This central position made it ing metropolis. It artfully combines serene
every household, and weeping willows graces into every corner of the ancient city. These a vibrant trading post where goods flowed: tranquility with lively dynamism, offering
every home. The astute ancient Naxi people collectively form the “smart brain” of Li- horses, wool, leather, and medicinal ma- a captivating experience day and night. The
ingeniously channeled underground springs jiang Old Town, enabling innovative solu- terials arrived from the Qinghai-Xizang city boasts a rich tapestry of business for-
to create their distinctive “three-eye wells.” tions: noise monitoring equipment linked Plateau, while tea, ironware, salt, sugar, and mats, including diverse dining options, cozy
These wells feature three distinct pools, built with smart broadcasting automatically grains were channeled in from the interior accommodations, professional travel pho-
according to elevation differences: the up- prompts visitors for quiet, AR (Augment- regions, all gathered and distributed within tography, intricate handicrafts, and compel-
permost for drinking, the middle for washing ed Reality) provides real-time navigation, its bustling markets. ling performing arts. Leveraging new tech-
vegetables, and the lowest for laundry. This smart restrooms display live vacancies, fa- Lijiang Old Town’s prosperity was fun- nologies like artificial intelligence, scenic
age-old tradition of revering and conserving cial recognition allows “zero-contact” entry, damentally driven by its vibrant trade routes area management and services have become
water continues to be meticulously upheld and unmanned retail stores offer automatic and flourishing commerce. Uniquely, the remarkably smarter. Within this vibrant eco-
by the local residents today. checkout. Thanks to these technological true heart of this ancient city was not the system, over 20,000 original residents, more
Where mountains embrace water and advancements, the daily management of the Mu Family Mansion, the traditional seat of than 5,000 active merchants, and tens of
the people live in harmony with their city, old town has become remarkably more effi- power, but rather its bustling commercial millions of annual tourists coexist, fostering
cient, and safety and order are better main- nexus: Sifang Street (Square Street). This a unique and harmonious urban narrative.