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Shuhe Ancient Town

Shuhe Ancient Town is located in the northern part of Gucheng District, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It is one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi people in Lijiang, and it is also an important well-preserved market town on the Ancient Tea Horse Trail. As part of the ancient city of Lijiang, a World Heritage Site of the United Nations, Shuhe Ancient Town was rated as a 4A scenic spot. Shu River is called “Shaowu” in Nathi, meaning “village under a peak.” The name comes from Jubao Mountain at the back of the village, which is shaped like a piled peak, hence the name. The Shuhe River is about four kilometers from the ancient city of Lijiang. Together with Baisha Ancient Town and Dayan Ancient Town, it forms the cultural system of the ancient city of Lijiang.

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The Ming dynasty geographer Xu Xiake once described the Shu River in his travel notes: “After a dry stone bridge, looking at the China Sea from the west, there were large settlements on it, and it was the Shiheyuan.” “Towa” is the ancient name for the Shukawa River. Since the Ming dynasty, it has become a gathering place for leather processing and handicrafts. It has gradually flourished, and has also become an important hub for the exchange of Naxi culture on the ancient tea horse trail. Today, the ancient town retains its traditional appearance and incorporates elements of modern tourism, and is one of the popular attractions of visitors.

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At the entrance to the ancient town, we found a coffee shop called “Waraku Bodhi Art Space”. Handmade works by domestic artists are sold here, and the interior and exterior of the store are filled with an artistic atmosphere. Sitting on a comfortable outdoor camping chair, enjoying the warm sunshine, looking at the unique design of Dongbaan Arch, and chatting easily with the staff, I felt that the time was extremely relaxed.

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I ordered a cup of osmanthus latte. The rich aroma of osmanthus mixed with the richness of coffee, creating a surprising combination. The coffee was served in a cup with traditional Chinese characteristics. The exterior was ceramic, and the interior was pure silver, which added some elegance.

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Afterwards, we went to Dongba Paper Shop. The products here all use Dongba paper as a raw material, showcasing traditional craftsmanship unique to the Naxi people. Dongba paper originated from Naxi Dongba priests and was used to record scriptures and draw pictures. The paper is thick and wear-resistant, and also has insect and moth-proof properties. I chose an East Pakistan dictionary to give to a friend. The store specially wrote his name in Eastern Pakistani and put a unique seal on the lid, which meant that he had a golden future and had different intentions.

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The ancient town of Shuhe is home to many local art stores and specialties from Yunnan. It is an example of the transition of the Naxi people from farming civilization to commercial civilization. The ancient roads, springs, and houses here make up a unique traditional style. Tea horse culture, Naxi culture, farming culture and ecological culture blend here, showing the unique charm of the Shuhe River. In this ancient town where history and culture intertwine, we are ready to go and embark on the next journey to the ancient town of Lijiang!

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How to get to Shuhe Ancient Town?

💡 Location: Shuhe Ancient Town, Shuhe Road, Gucheng District, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province (Click to view Google Maps)
💡 Official website:http://www.ljshuhe.com/
💡 Business hours: 7:30 AM — 5:30 PM
💡 Flight ticket order：Use Skyscanner to compare flight prices to Yunnan and find the best dates and times!