The whole of Lijiang County has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.  The town with it's 750 years of history is lucky to be here, in 1996 a massive earthquake devastated many surrounding villages and parts of the new town.  The old town with it's traditional buildings remained largely undamaged

Although we know it as Lijiang, the town is officially called Dayan, literally 'Great Inkblot', named for it's 'location on a rich plain surrounded by mountains' or for the grey tiled roofs, depending on which guide book you believe

The Naxi were traditionally matrilineal with property being handed down through the female line.  Open marriage was common with both partners remaining in their respective homes.   Any children born to the union belonged to the woman  and child support from the father ended with the relationship

Streams from Black Dragon Pool wend around the town, willows shade the paths

Strict rules govern the use of the waterways.  The uppermost parts are used only for drinking, the middle for washing rice and vegetables

Naxi women set up their market stalls early in the morning.   At night music, laughter and dancing replace the stalls

Miao family, one of Yunnan's 24 recognized minority groups?  We thought so, until we spotted the rental shop around the corner

A Dongba (Naxi shaman) demonstrates the unique 1000 year old Naxi pictographic script 

Naxi Orchestra.  While the women take care of business the men are the keepers of the musical tradition.   Many of these instruments spent decades under the earth, hidden during the Cultural Revolution

As well as Taoist temple and ancient Han music there is song and dance

We were struck by similarities to North American Indian culture