Impression Lijiang

» Lijiang, Yun Nan

Impression Lijiang Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

"Impression Lijiang" is a cultural show demonstrating the traditions and lifestyles of the Naxi, Yi and Bai peoples of the area. The show takes place inside Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Park at 3500 meters in an outdoor theater specifically designed to showcase the mountain which is used as a breath-taking backdrop.

Know the performences

Director - Zhang Yimou

Chinese director Zhang Yimou is well known for his films but much less is known about his creation of a series of the world's first outdoor scene performances in China know as the "Impressions," including "Impression Liu Sanjie," "Impression Lijiang" and "Impression of West Lake."

Since graduating from the Beijing Film Academy in 1982 at the ripe young age of 32, Zhang Yimou has emerged as one of the most recognized film directors currently in China. With many films under his belt he is now the most prolific of the so called "Fifth Generation" film directors. While his films are quite well-known globally, very little is known about his recent divergence into stage production, which has ultimately led him to co-direct the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Two parts

Divided into two parts, "Snow Mountain Impression" and "Ancient City Impression", the production, which has cost 31 million U.S. dollars to make, will be staged at the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Dayan Ancient Town, two famous scenic spots in Lijiang, a scenic city in southwestern China.

The performance began with more than 400 male performers in their traditional costumes of respective ethnic groups shouting to the sky "we are farmers, we are stars."

Production aims

The production aims to provide an insight into the lives of the region's ethnic groups through song and dance.

Actors - local people

The actors, including 400 local folks in various costumes of 10 ethnic groups and 100 horses have been selected from 16 towns and villages in Lijiang of Yunnan Province to perform daily folk songs, dances and rituals for tourists at the foot of the mist-shrouded Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

No lighting for artistic decoration

Unlike indoor or evening performances that can use lighting to cover up blemishes, an outdoor performance in full daylight allows no room for mistakes or "artistic decoration or artificial disguise," Zhang said, "No one dared to put an outdoor performance at day time before. I made this decision after having wide-ranging investigation."

Evaluation

From the director - Zhang Yimou

When his production was put into the final rehearsal two months ago, Zhang granted it 80 scores against 100. Zhang believes he has "accomplished a dialogue with nature" in this outdoor production. The folk custom and culture of minority ethnic groups give him confidence to try outdoor performances. "I am picky with my products," he said. "But this time I'm touched by the passion and warmth of the folk people, and 100 percent satisfied with their performance."

"There's a real feeling of nature. The day show complements the unique local traditional culture. It is incomparable to an indoor or evening show and it will bring a fresh feeling to the audience," Zhang said.

From the assistant - Fan Yue

Zhang's assistant Fan Yue said the success of the performance lied in the local custom and culture.

From the audience

More than 99 percent of the audience interviewed said they had seen nothing like it before and almost all the audience was "moved" or "inspired.

Matriarchal culture

"Impression Lijiang" is a series of musical performances that largely portray the life of the Naxi and Mosuo minority people. Westerners might initially be surprised by the matriarchal context of the performances depicting the women going to work while the men laze around, get drunk and sing songs to make their women proud. It should be considered that both cultures are quite different to most others, even to that of Han Chinese culture. The Mosuo are a strictly matriarchal culture while the Naxi (which is officially regarded as a parent culture to the Mosuo) has substantial matriarchal elements.

To balance things out there are performances that depict the famous tea trading of Yunnan, which was a dangerous activity for the men of the time as it involved negotiating the infamous and treacherous mountain Tea Trail. Such trading, however, has completely died out in recent decades.

Tickets

Where to buy tickets

However, the show does not have a plot and is directed towards tourists. Tickets can be bought from the ticket booth in the Lijiang Old Town (make a right at the water wheels and walk down the main street, the booth will be on your left).

The ticket price

The ticket price does not include transportation to and from the theater (approx 1 hour drive) or the entrance fee for the park. There is also an Old Town Preservation fee that the park tries to charge as well, however, this can be avoided by claiming to have already paid at you hotel (and showing your hotel key).

How to get there

Bus No. 7 will take you to the theater for only 10 yuan (can be caught across from the Mao Zedong statue) but be sure to find out what time the last bus leaves the park.

Attractions around » Lijiang, Yun Nan

Natural Scene

• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Lake Luguhu
• Yak Meadow
• The First Bend of the Yangtze
• Tiger Leaping Gorge
• Dongba Valley
• Yuquan Park

Historical Site

• Lijiang Old Town
• Shuhe Naxi Village
• Mural in Baisha Village
• Former Residence of Rock
• Yufeng Lamastery
• Stone Drum Town
• Mu Family Mansion

Cultural Site

• Former Residence of Rock
• Dongba Museum
• Yuquan Park

Nightlife

• Impression Lijiang

Shopping & Leisure

• Square Street

Impression Lijiang Highlights

Performance in Great China

• Impression Lijiang
• Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show
• Charming Xiangxi

Impression Lijiang FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Does it rain a lot in Lijiang?
2. When is the best time to go there?

  Shopping

1. Do bargain

  Travel

1. Cable car cautions

  Other Hints

1. Beware of the religious hooligans
2. Is it easy for me to make telephone calls there?
3. Toilet Facilities
4. Altitude sickness
5. Avoid busy holidays
6. OMG! I'm lost! What should I do?
7. Useful Phone Numbers
8. Emergency Numbers

• Does it rain a lot in Lijiang?

  It rains a lot in July and August. That's important to know because heavy rains can trigger rock and mud slides, which can block roads. This can cause long travel delays or even cancelled plans (such as your trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge).

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• When is the best time to go there?

  April and October is two ideal months suitable to visit Lijiang. The temperature is pleasant and it doesn't rain as often.

  January and February are not superlative months either because of wintry temperatures.

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• Toilet Facilities

  A number of toilets with good facilities and service have been built in the Old Town. The charge is usually no more than CNY 0.5 per person.

• Do bargain

  Souvenir prices tend to rise the closer you get to Sifang Square. And remember, always negotiate. You should be able to lower the initial price by 30%, sometimes more.

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• Cable car cautions

  Wear warm clothes. It's freezing where you'll be going (a lookout near the summit of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain). Winter parkas can be rented before you board the cable car gondolas. The same is true for oxygen bottles, for those who may need one.

  To avoid long, time-consuming lines waiting to board the gondolas, go early or late in the day. But before leaving Lijiang for the ride, find out if the high-elevation viewing platforms are expected to be shrouded in clouds when you'll be there. If so, you won't see much, including the stunning panoramic views of the mountains and valleys.

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• Beware of the religious hooligans

  Watch out the religious hooligans when you visit the Black Dragon Pool Park in Lijiang. It will be nighmare if you do. Specifically there was a so-called Dongba Culture Institution, you are right, the lexicon should think about giving a amendment to this word if they insist calling themselves an 'institution'.

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• Is it easy for me to make telephone calls there?

  A number of public IC card telephones have been installed in the Old Town, and some stores in the Old Town provide public telephones with which visitors can make direct domestic and international calls. Mobile phones can also be used freely within the area of the Old Town.

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• Toilet Facilities

  A number of toilets with good facilities and service have been built in the Old Town. The charge is usually no more than CNY 0.5 per person.

• Altitude sickness

  Before your respiratory and circulatory systems adjust to a high elevation, your body suffers to some degree from oxygen deprivation. That's altitude sickness. Symptoms include dizziness, tiredness and headaches - and difficulty in catching your breath when, for example, walking up steps.

  The best defense is not to go suddenly from one altitude to a much higher one. Do your upward journeys in stages so your lungs can more readily adapt to thinner air.

  We recommend that you do not travel from a low-altitude city (such as Beijing or Xian) to Lijiang on the same day. Instead, spend at least one full day in Kunming to acclimate your body to its relatively thin air (spend the time visiting the nearby Stone Forest, a Hillman Wonders Bronze Medal winner). This will help prepare your body for the even thinner air in Lijiang. Stay there for at least a day or two before heading to Zhongdian or Deqin, where the air is even more rarified

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• Avoid busy holidays

  During some holidays, hot destinations are packed with tourists, bringing you inconvenience or even unpleasantness, and also unless you have firm hotel reservations, skip these ultra-popular Chinese holiday periods (or you may end up without a room):

  • Spring Festival (Lunar New Year celebration). Its start date varies from year to year, anywhere from mid-January to mid-February.
  • May Day - Occurs during the first two weeks in May.
  • National Day - Takes place in the first two weeks in October.

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• OMG! I'm lost! What should I do?

  Well, calm down first. It's easy to get lost in Lijiang Ancient Town because of its labyrinth of meandering passageways. But that's part of the enjoyment because you will discover picturesque alleys that you would not have seen otherwise.

  Before you leave your hotel, do write down the name of the hotel in both English and Chinese. Taxis can be easily found in the city so you can just grab a taxi and show your address. If you are at a far place where you cannot find a taxi, please call 110 and ask the police for help.

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• Useful Phone Numbers

  • Tourist Complaint: 5123432
    
  • Lijiang Airport Inquiry Telephone: 5173081
    
  • Scheduled Flights and Ticket Inquiries: 5161289 5161291 5173079
    
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• Emergency Numbers

  • Fire: 119
    
  • Ambulance: 120
    
  • Police: 110
    
  • Traffic: 122
    
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