A Tree Hostel Lijiang

... that the traditions can benefit from the tourist industry and still remain a fundamental part of everyday life. So many traditional craftsmen/women are at work in the old town: silversmiths, weavers, coppersmiths, leather workers, engravers and painters. And lets not forget the saleswomen quietly getting on with their knitting or embroidery whilst awaiting the next customer.

The Chinese tourist seems to favour the organised tour. The guide carries a ...

... should be broken up with a stay at one
of the hostels in the farming villages along the route. The Halfway
House is a simple inn that serves up cold beer, magical apple pie and
the "Toilet ...

... head back but did a short exploration of the bamboo forest trail which leads from near Tina's to Sean's at Walnut Garden. The bamboo forest is lovely, with young trees and rushing waters and birds to view. I went to the wood bridge, which is about 45 min from the main trail. Talking to a couple who has done the trail with their 13 year old son that day before, it was a bit hairy at some sections for which reason they recommend to not to do ...

... and when asked would point us in the right direction. Came into this very small old town that had just a handful of tourists. As we wandered down one street this old lady came over & put a book in my hand & it was full of comments of people having been to her house for tea, She was motioning me to follow her so we went down another street & up ...

I was wondering why there are more people on the streets of Lijiang, and then I saw this in China Daily - tourist numbers up 26% - and the prospect that they will surpass 7 million for the year!

More than
3.4 million tourists visited ...

We stayed in Lijiang 6 days, more than any other location thus far on the trip. We instantly fell in love with this ancient, cobblestone city. We entered the old city from the north side and meandered through the twisty streets to search for a guesthouse. We ended up finding an old Naxi style house named 11 rising clouds inn run by 3 or 4, possibly 6 young men and women, it was hard to tell as the place was constantly buzzing with people hanging ...

... you are the boss 2. your dog can eat enemies 3. you have enough money to feed the bloody thing. Around these parts I could have opted for a Tibetan masstif. They are big, burly dogs. But not very friendly - they need to have a restraint around their midrift or else they will attack. Or I could have gone the local way and get a small dog, like a sausage dog with curls. But I am not that desperate. Even though I got offered one of these dogs, I would not bear ...

... unusual for Lijiang but definatly better for keeping the sound in and out) overlooking the rooftops of this world heritage town. Im told the man who built this building was high up in the goverment and could just do as he pleased as normaly such a tall building would not be allowed in this town. It does however fit seamlessly into the town and the views available flor the balcony cannot be imagined from the ground below. Most visitors are amazed at the sceney ...

... back to Lijiang, and half of it to find exactly where we are. We found the main square and returned our bikes. We had an hour or so until it gets dark. We travelled around the stores, marking to ourselves the preferred stores where we should come back later on this evening and purchase some stuff. We didn't calculate how many space we've got left in our bags - but we surely understood that we are in heaven of souvenirs. After dark we went to eat at Mama's ...

... people there. The walk down to the river was fairly steep, and thus wealthy local chinese, their lungs ruined by year of the harshest heavy tar cigarettes, are offered an alternative. They can hire two locals to carry them down to the river and back up, in a small wooden canopy contraption. It is quite possibly the most degrading looking experience, for both the locals after the little cash on offer, and the lazy *******s and *******ettes perched inside. (of course I'd have ...