Half Day Naxi Farmer Family Visit in Shuhe

Day 1: Shuhe

Get picked up at 15:00h at your hotel in Lijiang Old Town, from where we are brought to a farmer family of the Naxi ethnic minority in Shuhe (about 25 mins).

Shuhe is called “Shaowu” in Naxi language, meaning the village lying under the peak. Located only four kilometers to the northwest of Lijiang’s center, Shuhe is one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi people. At the same time, it is one of the more important trading towns along the ancient Tea and Horse Road. Together with Lijiang Old Town, it was listed as one of Yunnan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2007.

During our visit at the family’s home, we first get invited to a game of locally very popular Mahjong (about 1 hour). Mahjong is a four-player game that originated in China and over the time became one of the main spare time activity. It requires skills, intelligence, calculation and – like so many other gambling games – a certain amount of luck. Afterwards, we get taught how to make Lijiang Baba (about 30 mins). A Baba is a delicious Lijiang flat bread, made with flour, vegetable oil and water. Often, it’s also filled with sesame and walnuts. We will include the Babas in our delicious dinner afterwards, which is being prepared by the farmer family.

After about 2-3 hours at the family’s place, we’re being dropped off again at Lijiang Old Town at around 18:00h.