Picture choosen by: MissJacqueline Sights in Lijiang Black Dragon Pool Park
This park is on the northern edge of town, no more than 10munites walking distance from the main ancient town. Apart from strolling around the pool, its view of Yulong Xueshan (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) is the most obligatory photo shoot in southwestern China.For those photography-lovers shouldn't miss out this one.

Baima Longtan
Baima Longtan is a famous example of one of the pools that formed part of the web of arterylike canals that once brought the city's drinking water from Black Dragon Pool Park. Where there are three pools, these were designated into pools for drinking, washing vegetables and washing clothes by sequence. Sadly, the days - not too long ago - when you would see locals washing their veggies in the streams after heading home from the market are a bit unthinkable now.

Dongba Research Institute
The Dongba Research Institute is part of a renovated complex on the hillside north of Old Town. Here you can see Naxi cultural artefacts and scrolls featuring a unique pictograph script. If with enough luck, you can witness the whole procedure or even follow them to make your own paper.

Five Phoenix Hall
Five Phoenix Hall is a striking Ming dynasty, Naxi 20m-high edifice dating from 1601 but only moved to its current location in 1979. Its three roofs with eight eaves each are supposedly in the shape of phoenixes. It's located at the far side of the Black Dragon Pool near an art exhibition building and a pavilion with its own bridge across the water.

Mu Family Mansion
The former home of a Naxi chieftain, which used to be a school for the barons' children also, was heavily renovated (more like built from scratch) after the 1996 earthquake, with funds from the World Bank. The six main halls and courtyards were rebuilt to resemble a mini Forbidden City, some say deliberately, to reinforce historical Chinese ties to Lijiang. The mansion backs onto Shizi Shan. Inadequate captions help non-Chinese speakers not a bit but many travellers find the beautiful grounds reason enough to visit.

Looking at the Past Pavilion
The Looking at the Past Pavilion was raised for tourists at a cost of over one million yuan. It's famed for a unique design using dozens of four-storey pillars - unfortunately these were culled from northern Yunnan old-growth forests. A path (with English signs) leads from Old Market Sq. It acts as a sentinel of sorts for the town. Sit on the slope in the early morning and watch the mist clearing as the old town comes to life.

Kegong Archway
The Kegong Archway is the scene of celebrations marking the birthday of the local god Sanduo on the eighth day of the second lunar month (March).

Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture
The Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture houses displays on Naxi dress and culture, Dongba script, Lijiang's old town and the dubious claim that the region is the 'real' Shangri-la. It is at the Black Drangon Pool Park's northern entrance, and is worth a visit if you have the time.

Old Market Sq
Old Market Sq is the focual point of Old Town. Once the haunt of Naxi traders, they've long since made way for tacky souvenir stalls. However, the view up the hill and the surrounding lanes are still extraordinary, just be prepared to share the experience with hundreds if not thousands of other people.

Xiang Shan
Xiang Shan is west of Old Town. You can follow one of the many rails that lead straight up to a dilapidated gazebo and then across a spiny ridge past a communications centre and back down the other side, making a nice morning hike.

Shuhe Old Town
Another old town in Lijiang, the second residence of the chieftain. More quite and less tourists compared with the main Old Town (Da Yan Gu Cheng), which is the third residence. Apart from the nice environmrnt, its only 20min by bus from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Every evening, the locals will gather in the main Sq. dancing and singing. Nice to join them.