Lijiang's 800 years history sits lightly on the town. Lijiang's prosperity lies in the mountain trails made by horses and in saddles steeped in the fragrance of tea. It follows the old trade route that parallels the Silk Road in significance, if not in fame. The old town's charm lies in the weathered stone bridges that span the small braided rivers, in a mossy corner of Sifang Street, in the ancient tools, nearly as old as the town itself, sold by a lady.
