Shuhe Old Town

Chinese name: 束河古镇 (Shu He Gu Zhen)  
Location: Shuhe Street, Gucheng District, Lijiang, Yunnan Province..
Ticket: Free
Estimated tour time: 2-3hours
Recommended to visit: all year round
Nearby attractions: Lijiang Old Town, Baisha Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lashi Lake, Blue Moon Valley, etc.

About five kilometers north from Lijiang Ancient Town, Shuhe Old Town, the geographical center of scenic spots of Lijiang, is one of the oldest habitats of Lijiang and well-preserved town on the Ancient Tea Route (茶马古道) showing the history of Naxi ethnic minority group from farming centralization to commercial centralization. An important part of Lijiang Ancient Town area, both the towns were listed as World Cultural Sites by the UNESCO in 1997.

Shuhe Ancient Town may get less attention than its big brother neighbor Lijiang, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in charm. Located just 2.5 miles from Lijiang and closer to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it makes the perfect home base for the region.

As one of the earliest habitations of Naxi ancestors on the plains of Lijiang, Shuhe Ancient Town is the living specimen of Naxi people’s transition from an agricultural civilization to a commercial one. Being the most well-preserved major town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, it is also a paradigm of the opening up and towns developed as the result of the activities of horse caravans. Playing an important role in Lijiang Old Town, a World Cultural Heritage site, Shuhe Ancient Town was selected as one of the most charming towns in China by CCTV in 2005.

Shuhe Ancient Town is one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi people and was a key stop for the ancient tea trade. When you visit Shuhe, it feels like stepping back in time as you walk along the thousand-year-old stone paths. The Naxi people are still a very large part of Shuhe and can be spotted in the village wearing their characteristic blue caps and put on a traditional Naxi dance.

Similar to Lijiang Ancient City, Shuhe Ancient Town is surrounded by a murmuring river and interlaced with smooth flagging. It is a compact village hidden in the forest, and it lies near mountains and rivers. It is a more peaceful, smaller version of Lijiang Ancient City.

Qinglong Bridge has a history of more than 400 years; it is the landmark building in Shuhe Ancient Town.

Sifang Street, a market in the center of Shuhe village, covers an area of about 250 square meters. Surrounding the street are shops, all of which have archaic wooden facades. Travelers can buy various handicrafts here, such as unique ornaments and costumes reflecting ethnic styles.