Shuhe Ancient Town

Introduction to Shuhe Ancient Town (束河古镇)

Shuhe Ancient Town is one of the earliest habitations of ancient Naxi ethnic group in Lijiang, a well-protected important market town along the Ancient Tea-horse Road, the living specimen which witnessed Naxi ethnic group’s transition from aerial farming civilization to commercial civilization and the market town construction paragon for opening-up and horse caravan. 

As an important part of Lijiang Ancient Town, Shuhe Ancient Town was listed as one of the World Culture Heritage in 1997. With an area of about 3 square kilometers, the core protected area has more than 1000 households and over 3000 population. Shuhe Ancient Town was ranked as "Chinese famous charming town & The best environment town for people to live” in 2005. 

Shuhe ancient town has a long history. It had become the distributing center of Naxi foremen in as early as the Tang and Song Dynasties, and it is also an important market town still remained complete on the Ancient Tea-horse Road. Prosperous tea and horse trade and the colourful multi-cultures make Naxi people develop harmoniously. The ancient trading road had been brought into use in the Tang Dynasty. It went from the south Yunnan to Lhasa of Tibet via Lijiang. In the history of transportation development during the thousands of years of Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasties, Shuhe ancient town had been an important posthouse along the ancient trading roads. It had been one of the four big bazaars in Lijiang, and also been called the hometown to the cobblers. Shuhe ancient town has witnessed the history of development of Naxi foremen from the farming civilization to the commercial civilization.

Tourists travelling in Lijiang would generally walk through the Shuhe Ancient Town, and some even choose to stay overnight as an alternative to the bustling Lijiang; Shuhe is on the contrary extremely low-key and peaceful. In Shuhe ancient town, you will find the real local history, a welcome relief from the so-called "vanity" of Lijiang’s beautiful women and lively nightlife.  

Location

4 kilometers northwest from the Old Town of Lijiang, at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Main Sights

Tsing Lung Bridge, Sifang Street, Dragon Pool, red leaves of Xishan

Travel Information

Opening Hours: All day long

Admission Fee: 40 yuan

Visiting Time: 4~5 hours

Best Time to Visit: Shuhe Ancient Town is suitable to visit all year round.

Transportation 

1. Take bus 11 to Shuhe Crossing. Then turn left and walk around 10 minutes.

2. Take bus 6 to Shuhe Shangcun Station directly.

3. Take a taxi to get there directly (about 20 yuan).

Travel Tips 

If time permits, you can experience the simple and unsophisticated Naxi customs in the town for a couple days.

Tour including Visiting Shuhe Ancient Town

Amazing Southern China Natural Scenery 10 Days Tour From Guangzhou