China News Service, Beijing, March 21, Title: Xi Yandao | Why has this ancient city praised by Xi Jinping been prosperous?

"I hope your life will be happy and healthy, just like the Naxi tribe's surname, harmonious and beautiful."

On the afternoon of the 19th, General Secretary Xi Jinping came to the ancient city of Lijiang, Yunnan, and walked along the stone road while watching.

The stone roads in the ancient city are uneven in depth and uneven in convexity, witnessing the prosperous past for hundreds of years, and witnessing the reproduction and development of culture here.

General Secretary Xi Jinping said that the culture, scenery and folk customs here are very attractive, and the integration of culture and tourism has promoted economic development.

Historically, Lijiang Ancient City was not only the center of politics, economy and culture in northwest Yunnan, but also an important town on the "Southern Silk Road" and the "Ancient Tea-Horse Road" leading to India, Nepal and other places in the Han and Tang Dynasties. As a well-known cultural tourism destination, Lijiang Ancient City was listed as a national historical and cultural city in 1986 and was successfully listed on the World Heritage List in 1997.

Why has this ancient city with a history of more than 800 years been prosperous?

The answer is hidden in landscapes, humanities, and time.

The Yuquan water flows through the streets and alleys in the ancient city, beside 354 bridges, with green tiles and white walls, flying eaves and corners, and beautiful Naxi courtyards are arranged in an orderly manner.

Looking to the height, the roof contours alternate vertically and horizontally, the tile cat guards the ridge, and the "rise on the mountain" and "falling veins" form a beautiful curve; looking to the side, elements such as flying eaves, hanging fish, sparrow platforms complement each other, and each door and window has a new scenery; looking inward, every household has a fragrance of flowers and plants, and a small courtyard has a big world.

The ancient city houses pay attention to the word "natural", follow the slope and follow the water, and design the layout of three yards and one screen wall, four-in-one five courtyards, and one courtyard. The Naxi people's natural view of the unity of man and nature and harmonious coexistence between man and nature is fully reflected.

More than 800 years ago, the ancestors of the Naxi people gathered at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The "World Memory Heritage" Dongba ancient books and documents, "the only living hieroglyph in the world" Naxi hieroglyph, and the Naxi ancient music famous at home and abroad... The Naxi people's language, music and dance left a deep mark here.

In the long historical process, Lijiang Ancient City has integrated cultural elements from multiple ethnic groups such as Han, Tibetan, and Bai to form a unique cultural style. At present, more than 40 ethnic groups still live here.

The Mu chieftain's office, which was once described by Xu Xiake as "the beauty of the palace, and is intended as a king", witnessed the history of exchanges and integration among ethnic groups in the southwest region.

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that it is necessary to protect and utilize important cultural landmarks such as Mufu, protect and inherit the excellent traditional Chinese culture, guide people of all ethnic groups to consciously forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and continuously promote the construction of a community for the Chinese nation.

How to protect and inherit?

As early as during his work in Fujian, Comrade Xi Jinping pointed out the direction, "Protecting ancient cities is consistent with developing modernization, and the protection, construction and utilization of ancient cities should be organically combined."

In recent years, Lijiang Ancient City protection and management workers have continuously innovated protection concepts, changed management methods, promoted rational use, developed in protection, and protected in development.

Now, the Lijiang Ancient City, which integrates scenic spots, communities and heritage, is ushering in a new landscape where new and old ancient cities are constantly blending.

More and more young people are starting businesses here and devote themselves to the cultural inheritance and promotion of Dongba culture, Naxi ancient music, folk handicrafts, etc. At the same time, the use of new technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence makes Lijiang Ancient City smarter and younger.

Tradition and modernity are intertwined here to form a vivid picture, and every brick and tile of the ancient city tells the warmth of time and the vitality of the times.

The melting water of Yulong Snow Mountain wakes up in March, the weeping willows in Heilongtan sprout, and the pear blossoms in Baisha Ancient Town bloom into a sea of ​​snow, and it is another tourist season.

Some people always ask: Which season is the most beautiful in Lijiang, and when is the most suitable time to come to Lijiang Ancient City?

Lijiang gave the answer: When you come, it is the best time.

｜Producer: Chen Lujun

｜Producer: Zhang Mingxin

｜General planning: Yu Lan

｜Planning: Wu Qingcai

｜Coordinator: Ma Xueling Kan Feng

｜Written by: Zhang Xi Ren Siyu

｜Proofreading: Sun Jingbo

｜Visual: Ni Wenbing

｜Produced by "Xi Yandao" Studio in China News Network