Li Jiang
The over-commercialization of Lijiang Old Town gives you nothing to do but spend money here. Everything is about spending and the locals just want you to spend as much money as possible here. I probably won't come back here again.
Over-commercialization and homogenization, and the demise of distinctiveness, are common problems for tourist attractions across China today. Lijiang's ancient towns, Kunming's ethnic villages, Xiamen's Gulangyu Island, and Beijing's Nanluoguxiang all sell the same merchandise, and the vast majority of them are available on e-commerce platforms. So why do we have to come to these places? If Gulangyu Island has a quiet sea breeze and 798 District has unique contemporary art, then there is nothing special in Lijiang.
July, 2022
An accessory store.
A dance club photographed through the windowpane. The bar street is really loud and annoying.
The only bar in a street with few and quiet people.
Lijiang Old Town is really, really crowded at night. Luckily the man in the center wearing a white shawl split the composition, making it less crowded.
A jewelry store. Such jewelry can be found in stores in any tourist attraction in China.
Cafe's abound in Lijiang. Even this design of hanging bicycles on the wall has a sense of déjà vu.
Shuhe Old Town. The buildings here are protected from over-commercialization, and the place is sparsely populated and relaxing.
一只用来招揽生意毛茸茸大狗勾。
The local torch festival.
The wishing boaeds in the town.
“开始皆是美好，相遇都是奇迹” "All beginnings are good, all encounters are miracles."