Lijiang Sifang Street

Introduction Sifang Street is the heart of the ancient city of Lijiang, with convenient transportation and secluded alleys. It is said that it was built in the shape of the seal of the Mu family chieftain in the Ming Dynasty. This is the most important hub station on the Tea Horse Road. Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, merchants from all over the world have gathered here, and the cultures of various ethnic groups have intersected and thrived here, making it the center of economic and cultural exchanges in Lijiang. It has been called "Dayan" since ancient times. It is surrounded by green mountains, green fields inside the dam, and lingering spring water, which looks like a large jasper inkstone, hence the name. The street was built in the late Song Dynasty and early Yuan Dynasty. It is said that because the hereditary prefect of Lijiang's surname was Mu, it was taboo to build a city wall and then change it to the word "trap", so the city wall was not built. The urban area is centered on Sifang Street and has four avenues. Each main road is followed by alleys and alleys extending in all directions without dead ends.

Sifang Street is paved with five-color stone slabs. After hundreds of years of grinding, the stone patterns are exposed, which is quite unique. Most of the residential communities are close to mountains and rivers, and the Daqu trails follow the mountains. The Yuquan water from the foot of Xiangshan Mountain flows under the double stone bridge at the head of the city. It branches into three branches and extends to the southeast, forming countless small tributaries, passing through streets and alleys, looping around thousands of households, and countless small stone bridges over the water. Residential houses are mostly tile-roofed houses with three squares and one wall, square patios, spacious corridors, doors and windows decorated with flower and bird patterns, and plants and flowers planted in the courtyards.

Sifang Street is paved with colorful stones. It is flat and clean, with no dust in sunny days and no accumulation of water in rainy days. The streets are washed by clear water, and the city is in the middle of the day. It is famous for its unique street scene in the dusk. Almost every street has gurgling water on one side. This forms a dense and open pattern with Sifang Street as the center, surrounded by shops and inns, and extending layer by layer along the street. In this way, the ancient market gave birth to the original shape of the city, which is different from the traditional Chinese square well. The zigzag streets are not the same.

It is surrounded by six colorful stone streets that follow the mountain and radiate out, connecting the streets and alleys. It extends in all directions and the transportation is extremely convenient. Being in it makes people feel as if they have stepped into the prosperous scene of "Along the River During Qingming Festival". The ancient city still maintains the architectural characteristics of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in large areas. The tile-roofed buildings of the "three squares and one screen wall, four-in-five patios, and walking-horse corner towers" style are lined up in rows. They not only highlight the structural layout, but also pursue carved and painted decorations. They are clumsy on the outside and beautiful on the inside. They are exquisite and clear. It is a coincidence that it is praised as a "residential museum" by Chinese and foreign architectural experts. What’s more worth mentioning is that the residents of the ancient city have always loved planting flowers and trees and cultivating bonsais, which makes the ancient city enjoy the reputation of “Li County always likes to plant trees, and there are flowers everywhere in the mountain city”.

The most charming thing is at night. There are many large and small bars and teahouses along the river. There are many foreign operators among them. In front of these bars and teahouses, red lanterns of different shapes hang high in front of every house, greeting you warmly and welcoming you. The evening was enveloped in a warm and peaceful atmosphere. The reflection of the red lantern floats in the river, making it look graceful. Sometimes there will be one or two lotus-shaped river lanterns floating in the water. The candlelight flickers on and off, carrying the wishes of the person who put the lanterns, or love, filial piety or ideals floating into the darkness.

Local specialty: Three nights a week, someone will organize dancing in Sifang Street. Datiao is a folk collective singing and dancing activity that is popular in many places in Yunnan. A bonfire is raised in the middle of Sifang Street. Tourists from all directions, led by locals, join hands in a circle and dance to the rhythm of the music. Dance and form a sea of ??joy. Delicious food There are more than a dozen small restaurants on a short street from Sifang Street to Dashiqiao. The clay pot rice and boiled rice noodles here are very famous. In the center of Lijiang Old Town, there are four forks leading to the exit of the ancient city. It is adjacent to the bar street, which is very lively. There are many photographers here waiting for the best moment to take pictures of the ancient city. It has been called "Dayan" since ancient times. It is surrounded by green mountains, green fields inside the dam, and lingering spring water, which looks like a large jasper inkstone, hence the name. The street was built in the late Song Dynasty and early Yuan Dynasty. It is said that because the hereditary prefect of Lijiang's surname was Mu, it was taboo to build a city wall and then change it to the word "trap", so the city wall was not built. The urban area is centered on Sifang Street and has four avenues. Each main road is followed by alleys and alleys extending in all directions without dead ends. The large and small roads are paved with five-color stone slabs. After hundreds of years of grinding, the stone patterns are exposed, which is quite unique. Most of the residential communities are close to mountains and rivers, and the Daqu trails follow the mountains. The Yuquan water from the foot of Xiangshan Mountain flows under the double stone bridge at the head of the city. It branches into three branches and extends to the southeast, forming countless small tributaries, passing through streets and alleys, looping around thousands of households, and countless small stone bridges over the water. Residential houses are mostly tile-roofed houses with three squares and one wall, square patios, spacious corridors, doors and windows decorated with flower and bird patterns, and plants and flowers planted in the courtyards.