In the Shadow of a Dragon - Mary Frankel

Journal Entry: Tuesday, 9/11, Lijiang

A beautiful city bumped up against the mythical Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and home to the Naxi nationality.  The town is lively and bustling with young people. Patagonia style shops line the square selling beautiful hand-woven items.  At night, musicians play in the second-story bars, their music drifting down into the street creating a peaceful, romantic mood.  I am suddenly reminded of Frank Capra’s movie ‘Lost Horizon’, where a group of civilians crash land in the Himalayas and are rescued by the people of the Eden-like valley of Shangri-la. I am drawn to this beautiful place and the people of Lijiang.  

"Naxi (Respectable People)"

Oil on Linen

14" x 11"

by Mary Frankel

We travel north to the Old Town of Lijiang.  We also rode gondolas up to the Jade Dragon (Yulong) Snow Mountain and visited the Dali People and the Three Pagoda Temple overlooking Erhai Lake.