The Lure of Lijiang

Lijiang, a city in Yunnan province, is known for its majestic alpine landscapes and glacier peaks (that is why it is sometimes referred to as the “Switzerland of China”).

- PEPPER TEEHANKEE

Lijiang is also renowned for its vibrant Naxi culture and the UNESCO-listed Old Town.

The Naxi, Nakhi, or Nashi are people inhabiting the Hengduan Mountains near the Eastern Himalayas in the northwestern part of Yunnan province. They are thought to have come originally from northwestern China, migrating south toward Tibetan-populated regions. They are one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People’s Republic of China.

Lijiang’s culture combines traditional Naxi culture and certain elements learned from Ming dynasty Han Chinese traders, who settled in the region centuries ago. What better way to learn how they live than by visiting one of their homes? So we headed to the home of a local Naxi family in Yuhu Village. It was a beautiful 200-year old home with 10 rooms and the hospitable owners welcomed us and showed us their own and fed us with hand ground warm tofu (like our Philippine taho) and other local snacks. The tofu is made at their home using traditional machines, which former senator Nikki Coseteng even used to actually grind soybeans! One of them also showed us how they make their hand-made paper.