Date with 20 cultural heritage sites at Cultural and Natural Heritage Day (17)

17. Old Town of Lijiang

People walk in the street in Lijiang ancient town, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 16, 2015. Lijiang ancient town was listed as a world cultural heritage site by the UNESCO in 1997. (Photo: Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)

The Old Town of Lijiang, lying on the Lijiang plain at an elevation of 2,400 meters in southwest Yunnan province of China, is one of the last surviving ancient towns in China.

It has been perfectly adapted to the uneven topography of this key commercial and strategic site and preserved a historic townscape of high quality and authenticity.

The architecture of the Old Town of Lijiang is noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures, and its ancient water-supply system of great complexity and ingenuity still functions effectively today.

The Old Town of Lijiang was added to the list in December 1997.