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Though the ancient town of the Naxi
was partly damaged by the February 1996 earthquake, much has
now been repaired, and its 1997 UNESCO heritage site designation
will guarantee that this picturesque town, with its numerous
Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, is preserved as one of the most
attractive places in Yunnan. Lijiang rests in a fertile valley
against a backdrop of towering snow-capped peaks and there
are some splendid excursions out of town.
Lijiang is a Jewel of the Mekong
- click here - for our
feature on Lijiang
 Jade
Dragon Snow Mountain - Mount Satseto, 15km north
of Lijiang and known to locals as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain,
is the highest among the Himalayan peaks, rising 5,600 metres
above the plains. It was first climbed in 1963, however access
to the summit is now provided by cableway from the foot of
the mountain to Yunshanping (Dragon Spruce Meadow). Two cableways
for skiers are currently under construction.
Tiger
Leaping Gorge - One of the deepest chasms in the
world, the Yangzi River flows 16km between the 3,900 metre
tall mountains. Tiger Leaping Gorge can be reached on a two
or three-day trek.
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