The Ancient town of Lijiang was built in the middle of a flatland at the foot of the Yulong Snow Mountain . It got its name "Dayan Zheng" (the Town of Big Ink Slab ) because the town is surrounded by tree-covered mountains on all sides with crystal clear water running in the middle of it. It has the appearance of a big jade ink slab. The town covers an area of 3.8 square kilometer at an elevation of 2,400 meters.

The town was built in the late Song dynasty and the early Yuan dynasty. Since then, it has been the political, cultural, and educational center in this area. For a time, it had been an important trading center for business between Yunnan and Tibet , China and India . And now ,the town is a Historical and Cultural Heritage in China and it has been included in the World Cultural Heritage. The roads in the old town radiate from Sifang Street (Square Street) to form a network connecting every corner of the city. Small squares are scattered along appropriate sections of the main streets. Houses have been built on the mountain slopes tier upon tier. "The city depends on water for existence and water comes along with the city" has become one of the main features of the old town.

Culture is the soul of Lijiang ancient town. Dongba culture is an integral part of Naxi culture, referred to as the ancient culture of the ethnic Naxi. It is called so because it is mostly found in the Dongba religion, which is believed to be one thousand years old. It chiefly consists of scriptures, paintings, music, dances, ritual implements and religious services.

Beam River ancient town in the ancient city of Lijiang four kilometres north-west is Naxizu pioneers in Lijiang mark in the first one where there is "Cha Ma Road," preserved an important market towns and Naxizu from commercial farming civilization to civilization transition live specimens, and the soft chime of bells to the market towns of activities forming the building model.
" Cha Ma Road " from the bordering Xishuangbanna, the Dali , Lijiang, Deqen Tibet directly, through subtropical, temperate, boreal, rising to an altitude of over 8,000 meters from the shore. Is a national biological resources and
Extremely rich cultural resources destinations. And in this a long and magnificent line, the ancient city of Lijiang is the only one classified as "world heritage", fully demonstrated the accumulation Cha Ma ancient city of exceptional historical and cultural value.

Now, walk to the Crescent Longquan, stroll in the beam River Streets, always people feel a strong cultural atmosphere. As the city's largest residential construction beams River residential areas, it has become "the world's cultural heritage," part of a variety of colour attracting many tourists.

Rich in cultural and biological diversity, the Lashi Lake watershed is home to two minority ethnic groups, the Naxi and the Yi, and provides critical habitat for the endangered black-necked crane. The watershed is also the primary water supply to a large downstream population and the rapidly growing tourism industry in the historic city of Lijiang .

The forests between Lashi Lake in Lijiang County , and Wenhai, a smaller alpine lake beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain , are home to more than 15 rhododendron species.

Lashi Lake provides habitat for the endangered black-necked crane and about 71 migratory bird species—representing 43% of Yunnan 's and 21% of China 's total bird species. As many as 80,000 birds migrate to this wetland during winter. The forests surrounding Lashi Lake also host the Asiatic black bear.