Beautiful Lijiang, Yunnan Province. Notice the little fish in the stream. No such thing five years ago. Progress!

Smog? Nowhere to be found. And at 8,000 feet elevation this is the bluest blue sky you'll see anywhere.

Little flowers grow between tiles on the roofs.

My guest house, overlooking Lijiang's Old Town. Not bad for less than 10 bucks a day.

An elderly Naxi lady, taking a breather.

The monks here have to get their lunch somehow.

Dress up - the tourists are coming!

She's doing her laundry in the stream next to her home.

The modern Naxi girl: minority-style dress for the tourists, and blue jeans.

Come shop. Spend your dollars.

Ethnic minority dresses for sale.

Streets are stones worn smooth from foot traffic.

If you need a camel bell, buy it here.

Nice little designs.

The Deer Source Inn (highly recommended!), where I stayed. She's a classic, rustic Naxi girl who manages the guest house like a pro.

To be called an "old peacock" in Chinese is not a compliment.

Lunch of fried yak and Jidou Liangfen, with my good friend Richard.