Lijiang Lion Hill, Black Dragon Pool and Naxi Minority

Today we explore the Old Town of Lijiang (UNESCO World Heritage Site), visit the governor's house and make an excursion onto Lion Hill with its beautiful views over the tiled roofs of the Lijiang old town and its quiet surrounding parks. We explore the Jade Spring Park (also known as Black Dragon Pool or Heilongtan in Chinese), which is the headwater of Yushui River flowing through Lijiang.

Then we visit a local Dongba paper making studio. The Dongba are believed to be the priests of the Bön religion and play a major role in the local Naxi culture. They have been making paper for over 1'000 years using wood from forests which only grow in this region at an altitude of about 2400m. This handmade paper is 100 percent natural and can be preserved for hundreds of years.

The evening is free; take a stroll through the ancient town, go shopping or just relax near the little streams that flow through picturesque Lijiang.