LIJIANG News

From August 2011 Newsletter:
"Greetings from Garry"   Pearl Fu

Dear Pearl,
I am just home for a moment! As requested, I’m passing on my latest info (redacted) about Lijiang:

In the southwest borderland of China lies Lijiang City, a plateau pearl radiating brilliant splendor. The Jinsha (Gold Sand) River runs hundreds of kilometers around the area, hence the name “Lijiang” means “Beautiful River.” Lijiang itself occupies an area of 20,600 square kilometers with a population of 1.22 million. Ethnic groups account for 58 percent of the total, including 11, such as Naxi, Yi, and Lisu, etc., who have lived here through many generations.

Lijiang topography features a complexity of mountains, plains and river valleys: mountains account for over 90% of the total area! Shanzidou (“Fan Peak”), elevation 17,350 ft., is the highest peak. Over-looking Lijiang at 14,200 ft., Yulong “Snow Mountain” is year-round capped with snow, a 5 National Scenic Zone, a provincial Nature Reserve with typical vertical climate features. It has glaciers closest to the equator in the northern hemisphere.

Lijiang was a hub town in history along the Southern Silk Route and Ancient Tea-Horse Caravan Road leading to Tibet, India, Nepal and westward. In recent “New China” years, Lijiang has entered an era of unprecedented development. On 3rd Feb. 1996, the Magnitude 7 earthquake hit Lijiang and forever changed it. People of Lijiang crafted disaster into opportunity creating the “Lijiang Model” for the rehabilitation post-earthquakes in China, and a UNESCO “Merit Award for Heritage Preservation.” Since Tourism Priority Strategy of the ‘90s, Lijiang is open widely to tourism. In a short period, Lijiang has been titled: Most Expected Destination for Tourists in the World, Top of Ten Most Leisure Cities in China, Most Loveable Tourist City for Europeans, “Global (HHEC) Human Habitation Environment City,” Best of Ten (GCC) Green Cities in China.

Lijiang is bio-diversity rich: more than 13,000 kinds of plants grow here; it’s a key (66%) region for National Forestry Preservation Policy and Forestry Vegetation in Yunnan of Herbal plants and other abundant bio-resources. Lijiang Municipal Government & CPC have advanced development of tobacco, cash forestry, herbal plants, optimizing agricultural structure and incomes for farmers. Lijiang possesses rich water power with 91 rivers, a hydraulic power station with 22 million kilowatts; annual capability is planned for 100 billion kilowatts per hour, by 6 stations under construction. Wind power, solar energy and coal are potential resources.

Lijiang “Old Town” is a National Cultural City and a world cultural heritage site. Lugu Lake is a grand beryl at Yunnan/ Sichuan’s border. Mosuo people living by the lake are maintaining their “Visiting Marriage” system, the last pure matriarchal system. It is a harmonious combination of natural scenery and Mosuo folklore. Its wonders: 1st Yangzi River Bend & Tiger Leaping Gorge.

With delightful climate all year-round, urban areas of Lijiang have neither extreme winter nor suffering summer! Improving ecological environment, manifesting city charms, upgrading the city’s brand image and people’s living standards, accelerating sustainable development of this “National Garden City” are all well on the way in depth. Lijiang’s historical culture and modern civilization must combine along a path of distinctive city development.* In the near future, Lijiang will be built into a city fit and pleasant for human inhabitation with more progressive economy, more prosperous culture, more harmonious society, more advanced science and technology, more beautiful scenery and more comfortable living.

Lijiang welcomes friends from home & abroad: visit and enjoy --- invest and do business! GARRY

Editor notes: View Garry & Colette Fu’s photo in Lijiang, AOW, Vol. 12, issue 4 Dec. ’08, p7-8. For historian/anthropologist/travel agent, read Garry’s full 3 page report.