Hidden away in the world, slow time: Day and night in Shuhe Ancient Town

📍Address of scenic spot: Shuhe Ancient Town is located in the northwest of the Old Town District of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, about 6 kilometers away from Lijiang Ancient Town. It is an important post station well preserved on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road and one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi people. This place is more ancient and quiet than Dayan Ancient Town, with a moderate degree of commercialization. It is known as the "miniature of Lijiang Ancient Town." 🚗 Transportation to the scenic spot: Wenhua Street, Kainan Street, Gucheng District, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. If you use the navigation, you can just go to "Shuhe Ancient Town". There is a parking lot. Generally, people come here from Lijiang. If you take the bus, take bus No. 11 and get off at the South Gate of Shuhe Ancient Town. The fare is 2 yuan. It takes about 20 minutes to take a taxi or drive by yourself. You can also rent a bicycle from Lijiang Ancient Town and ride here, which takes about 40 minutes. The scenery along the way is very beautiful. If you fly to Lijiang Sanyi Airport and come here directly, it will take about 40 minutes by taxi. 👍️Must-see attractions: 1. Jiuding Dragon Pond: The landmark attraction of the ancient town. The clear water of the pond reflects the snow-capped mountains. In summer, green willows hang down the banks. In winter, the pond is shrouded in mist. It is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. 2. Qinglong Bridge: An ancient stone arch bridge from the Ming Dynasty, with a mottled and weathered bridge deck, it is suitable for shooting retro humanistic blockbusters, and the lights at night make it even more charming. 3. Ancient Tea-Horse Road Museum: Learn about the history of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road and the commercial culture of the Naxi people. The museum displays horse caravan relics and Pu'er tea culture. 4. Sifang Street and Night Market Fireflies: The central area of ​​the ancient town is a Naxi market during the day, and the lights illuminate the stone pavement at night. The atmosphere of fireworks and tranquility are intertwined, which can be called one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Shuhe". 5. [100][100][100] Panoramic view from the back of the mountain: Climb along the path on the north side of the ancient town to the back of Jubao Mountain, where you can overlook the entire ancient town and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance. The view is particularly stunning during sunrise and sunset, so don't miss it. 🎟️Ticket related: Shuhe Ancient Town used to charge a fee, and it was said that the ticket was 60/person, but now it is free and open to the public. The price of the inn is also very reasonable. To be precise, the accommodation in Lijiang is very reasonable. 💗Other tips: The recommended route for a slow-life one-day tour is from the Ancient Tea Horse Road Museum → Qinglong Bridge → Jiuding Dragon Pond in the morning, and from Sifang Street → Hari Valley (Naxi handicraft experience) → back mountain view in the afternoon. When purchasing souvenirs such as silverware and Dongba paper, it is recommended to choose regular stores and be careful to avoid scams. Food recommendations include Naxi barbecue, cured pork ribs hotpot, chicken bean jelly, and butter tea (the taste of this tea may not be acceptable to everyone [Facepalm]). The charm of Shuhe Ancient Town lies in its "slowness" and "authenticity". It is so slow that you can hear the sound of flowing water, and so authentic that every bluestone slab is filled with stories. Whether you are looking for historical traces or escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can find inner peace here.