Wild China #6 - Shuhe Old Town

We arrived in the old city of Lijiang in Yunnan Province with our nerves in tatters. Our four hour car journey across the mountains from Dali had opened our eyes to the perils of being driven in the Chinese countryside. Overtaking very slow moving lorries on steep winding mountain roads was not my idea of fun and our arrival in Lijiang could not come soon enough.

Something quiet and relaxing was required to settle the nerves and the old town of Shuhe nestling at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain fitted the bill rather nicely. Situated only four kilometres (2 miles) to the north west of Lijiang, it is similar in style to its larger neighbour but much more quiet and tranquil.

We entered through a wooded area bordering a stream, the waters of which are a dominant feature of this lovely little town. 














It wasn't long before we passed beneath the Qinglong Bridge which was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and which is one of the town's main focal points.









 
But even the main streets of the town do not escape the waters as each of them has a narrow stream running alongside. 













Different streams we discovered were used to wash and prepare food.

Or even from which to sell locally produced fruit and vegetables.

And some were used to wash clothes and household items.

The locals certainly made the most of their natural resources.

Wandering through the narrow streets was the perfect way to recover from the nerve shattering journey.









 

I found it fascinating to peer into hidden courtyards some of which have existed for hundreds of years, the town being situated on the famous tea road between China and Burma.

















The streets on the outskirts of the town offered a variety of sights which we are not familiar with in the western world.

Every available space seemed to be put to effective use, either for growing plants, ripening fruit or drying clothes. Yet there always appeared to be space to hang the traditional Chinese lanterns..

Occasionally the sound of horses hooves made one think of the transport used on this busy trading route in times gone by.

However these days it is more likely to be rides provided for the tourists from the central and more commercial town square. .










 

The local people are of the Naxi ethnic minority group and the town was one of their earliest settlements. As in other regions of China, it was fascinating to see their traditional costumes. .








 
 The picturesque town was also obviously used for a variety of photographic opportunities. Such as this wedding  -








 
 

-  and this model photo shoot.


Eventually our time came to leave this peaceful setting and return to Lijiang where we were to spend the next few nights. I was sorry to leave but knew that there were many more exciting things lined up for the next few days.