The Old Town of Lijiang, a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture, is a central town of the Lijiang Autonomous County of the Naxi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Province.

Located on the plateau which is 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) above the sea level and embraced by the tree-covered Lion Mountain in the west, Elephant and Golden Row Mountains in the north, vast fertile fields in the southeast and crystal clear water running through, the old town looks like a big jade ink slab, therefore got the alias the Town of Big Ink Slab (Dayanzhen).

The old town of Lijiang used to be the key site on the Silk Route between the south and north as well as the trade route of tea and horse, the harmonious coexistence of the Tibetan, Han, and East Pakistan cultures can still be felt even today.

The old town, with Lion Mountain in its west, Elephant Mountain and Golden Rainbow Mountain in north, flat and spacious plains in south-east, enjoys favorable weather conditions because the cold currents form north-west are blocked by the mountains, and the sunshine from south-east can be best used. The water from the Jade Spring is lead into the city by three ditches; the water-supply system reaches every family, forming a spring townscape on the plateau with "water-supply system and poplar in every household".

On December 3rd, 1997, the Old Town of Lijiang was put in the list of the Worlds Relics by the World Cultural Heritage Commission of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). The charming Old Town is now a famous tourist attraction for its traditional ethnic culture and customs, inimitable buildings and the wonderful natural views.