Lijiang is situated at the southern foot of the Himalayas in Yunnan’s northwest. In the city, you can stroll around the historic Old Town, much of which was reconstructed after a devastating earthquake in 1996. Old Town is a maze of hotels, old residences, shops, craft stores, cafes, restaurants, and even nightclubs, all set within buildings modelled after those of the original city. Narrow channels also run through the streets, traditionally used to conveniently supply the residents with water. While Han entrepreneurs have moved into the once Naxi-dominated area, you will still find a good number of the Naxi running their own businesses or selling small craft items from the cobbled pathways. Lijiang can also be used as a launch pad to access the wealth of natural scenic spots in the area. The most famous of these include Yulong Snow Mountain, Laojunshan Mountain, Lugu Lake, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Dongba Valley.