A Hidden Gem in Lijiang Old Town: Boxin Yun She

🌺 Nestled deep within Lijiang Old Town, Boxin Yun She is a living Naxi courtyard that breathes history. The moment you push open the wooden door, time seems to slow down—the bluestone path glows warmly, the upturned eaves sketch the shape of drifting clouds, and every carved wooden window tells tales of the ancient Tea Horse Road. Leaning against the beautiful railing on the second-floor corridor, you see hydrangeas clustered like pale blue clouds, plump succulents stretching lazily in ceramic pots, and suddenly understand what it means to "find a place here to rest a traveling soul." 🌼【A Healing Courtyard Story】 🪴 Awakened by birdsong in the morning, bougainvillea casts purplish-red shadows on the paper windows. Wearing embroidered cloth shoes, you walk through the courtyard and crouch by the ceramic jar to count dewdrops on lotus leaves. A chubby cat lazily rolls on its back under the flower trellis. The housekeeper brings freshly baked flower cakes; the crisp crust flakes fall onto a celadon plate. She points to the rosy moonlight rose in the corner and says, "This is Grandma’s treasure, watered with rice washing water for ten years." Suddenly, you recall a line from "Xiao Chuang You Ji": "I once cleaned a room, placed a small table, displayed a few favorite books, set an old calligraphy copy, burned incense in an ancient censer, waved a plain feather duster, and when slightly tired, rested briefly on a bamboo couch." 🌿【Old Town Stroll Guide】 🐾 From Boxin Yun She to Sifang Street, you pass the Three-Eyed Well—meltwater from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain flows sequentially through the drinking spring, vegetable washing spring, and laundry spring, with Naxi grandmothers still following ancient water rules. It’s recommended to climb Wangu Tower at dusk to watch the last golden light slowly fade from the snow-capped peak as the entire old town lights up with warm orange lamps. The rose jam stalls at Zhongyi Market emit a sweet fragrance—don’t forget to bring back two jars for your close friends. 🏔️【Soft Moments Beneath the Snow Mountain】 ☁️ To avoid crowds, take the cable car directly to Yunshanping. Walking on the wooden plank trail through the primeval forest, the shadows of fir trees scatter like piano keys, and you might occasionally encounter free-range yaks. On the way back, stop at Baisha Ancient Town, where Naxi sisters guarding the tie-dye and embroidery workshops always love to slip a piece of homemade snow tea candy into your hand. 💐【A Little Forest on the Balcony】 🌿 Always rush back to the guesthouse before sunset, drawn by the magical moment on the small balcony. Hydrangeas glow softly in the twilight, and the thick leaves of succulents are edged with honey-colored light. Move the rattan chair into the deep flower shadows, write postcards with plum wine, and the evening breeze suddenly carries the sound of ancient Naxi music from the neighboring inn. For a moment, it feels as if you hear the jingling bells of horse caravans from a hundred years ago passing through the flower path. ✨【Nighttime Whispers at Boxin Yun She】 🕯️ The courtyard becomes even more mysterious after dark, with paper lanterns swaying like a starry river under the corridor. Pu’er tea in the tea room is boiling for the third time, and travelers from all over exchange stories. Girls dressed in ethnic costumes teach everyone how to make bookmarks from Dongba paper, the ink spreading blessings of "Safe Travels." On the terrace swing, someone points to the Milky Way to identify the Altair star—in Naxi legend, it is the snow mountain god who insisted on staying in the human world. 🌺 On the day of departure, the housekeeper slips flower seeds wrapped in Dongba paper into your bag. As the train passes through tunnels, you suddenly realize: what Boxin Yun She teaches us is never just how to travel, but how to cultivate a corner of blooming flowers for ourselves in this fleeting world. Just like the Dongba script by the old waterwheel in the ancient town says: "Where the heart anchors, clouds bloom flowers." ✈️【Travel Tips】 1. The old town’s stone paths are best for flat embroidered shoes; bring a shawl for the temperature difference between morning and evening. 2. The early market at Zhongyi Market offers a hidden delicacy: chickpea flour with butter tea. 3. To capture empty street scenes, go out before 7 a.m. 4. Remember to bring an umbrella during the rainy season; listening to rain under the corridor has its own charm. 5. Learn a few Naxi words like "Wa na la nu" (thank you) to earn warm smiles. 🌙 Perhaps many years from now, when succulents bloom again in the city, you will still remember the mornings at Boxin Yun She—dew rolling off hydrangea petals, the scent of ancient cypress seeping into freshly ground ink, and Lijiang’s soft moments having long grown into an everlasting garden in your heart.