Lijiang Old Town

Although I did my “Destination Exploration” on Lijiang Old Town, I really did not have very many expectations for this place. After the tour guide told us that Lijiang is a place you will never want to leave, I could understand why. There was so much beauty in the simplicity of Lijiang. Everything about this town is green and inviting, from the very friendly people that treated us nicely, to wild nightlife that was unlike any bar or club I had ever experienced in America.

                My final paper is about how identifying with or aligning with the Communist party affects how Chinese citizens defines themselves. There were some observations that I made here that speak to how a Chinese person defines him or herself, but is most likely not due to communism. What I mean is that in Beijing, the communist influence on the people was much more observable then it is in a small, secluded place like Lijiang. In Lijiang, the clothes you wear, the goods you make and sell, and the title of “Naxi” are what help to define the people’s identity. The clothing was very beautiful and fancy. We saw a woman in her wedding dress, which had to have cost her a fortune.

                I would also add that music contributes to identity in Lijiang. Everywhere we went, there was at least one drum shop in which you could hear the faint sounds of “my little baby”. It became our little theme song for that town throughout the day, but it was clear that this song was a statement and cultural staple here.