|
 Criss-crossed
by canals and a maze of
narrow streets, the old
town is not to be
missed. Arrive by
mid-morning to see the
market square full of
Naxi women in
traditional dress.
Parrots and plants adorn
the front porches, old
women sell griddle cakes
in front of teahouses,
men walk past with
hunting falcons proudly
keeping balance on their
gloved fists, and more
old women energetically
slam down the trumps on
a card table in the
middle of the street.
You can buy embroidery
and lengths of striped
cloth in shop around the
market.
Above the old town is a
beautiful park which can
be reached on the path
leading past the radio
antenna. Sit on the
slope in the early
morning and watch the
mist clearing as the old
town comes to life.
Now acting as sentinel
of sorts for the town is
the Wan Gou Lou, a
pagoda being raised at a
cost of over one million
yuan. It’s famed for a
unique design using
dozens of four storey
pillars, and these were
culled from northern
Yunnan old-growth
forests. |
