Guanmenkou

Guanmenkou was built by the chieftains of the Mu clan. It once served as a dividing line between the rich and the poor: those inside were rich, those outside were poor. This gate represented power, money, and strength, and was a symbol of inviolability.

Guanmenkou was built by the Mu Tusi of Lijiang. The Mu Tusi were ancient feudal lords (of the Naxi ethnic group), owners of Lijiang's land, forests, and rivers, as well as political rulers. The Mu lords maintained their power primarily through forced labor and voluntary servitude from the common people. In the past, Guanmenkou served as a dividing line between the rich and the poor: those within, the rich, those outside. This gate represented power, wealth, and strength, a symbol of inviolability.

In 2009, Lijiang City changed the name of the gate from "Guanmenkou" to "Guanmenkou" to promote tourism development, giving it a more concrete and mysterious meaning. Inside, Guanmenkou is a dazzling array of goods, serving as a hub for tourist products in the ancient city. Almost every visitor to Lijiang Old Town makes a trip there; it has become an essential part of any visit.

It's a gate in the ancient city. Along the gate wall are wooden signs in various Naxi scripts. Pick one you like and take a photo.

This one seems to be in Lijiang Old Town, I forgot where it is. It's pretty much the same, with shops on both sides. And people... people...

There is a city gate, and it’s not far to the Mu Mansion.

On the way to the Mu Mansion, we walked to the official gate and it was quite lively with people coming and going.

In ancient times, the Guanmen Gate was the dividing line between the rich and the poor. Inside was the rich, outside was the poor. This gate represented power, money and fist force, and was a symbol of inviolability.

It's a gate of Lijiang Ancient Town, just pass by and take a look.

Lijiang Ancient Town, Mu Mansion, Guanmenkou.

I went there during my second trip to Lijiang.

A very charming gate in Lijiang Old Town, with many people

A gate next to the food street in Dayan Ancient Town. I walked a long way from the South Gate several times. It turns out that the official gate is much closer and more lively.

In the past, the gate of the official residence was the dividing line between the rich and the poor, with the rich inside and the poor outside. This gate represented power, money and fist power, and was an inviolable symbol.

It should be the gate of the customs, the first gate of the original wooden palace.

Near Guanmenkou, you can find some souvenirs. The prices are quite reasonable, and you can find everything from handicrafts to homemade foods. Guanmenkou is also home to a snack street, which is more affordable than Sifang Street and offers a wider variety. The only difference is that there are fewer resident singers and less seating to relax in.

It is a memorial archway in the ancient city. You can pass by it many times when visiting the ancient city.

It used to be the gate to the Mu Mansion, and was guarded by soldiers.

Guanmenkou is located in Lijiang Old Town and is one of the landmarks

Guanmenkou was built by the Mu clan chieftains of Lijiang. Mu clan chieftains were ancient feudal lords (Naxi ethnic group), owners of Lijiang's land, forests, and rivers, as well as political rulers. The Mu clan lords primarily maintained their interests through forced labor on behalf of the common people. In the past, Guanmenkou served as a dividing line between the rich and the poor: those within were wealthy, those outside were poor.

I don't know the history there, so I can't comment on it.

As we walked, we arrived at the official gate.

In ancient times, the hierarchy was strict, and this gate tower was actually the dividing line between officials and the people.

No matter how much an official loves the people, or how kind a rich person is, their status will always be much higher than that of the poor common people.

There happened to be a Ding Ding & Dang Dang restaurant across the street, so we sat by the window on the second floor, eating yogurt, listening to music, and watching the people coming and going.

A small gate in the ancient city, surrounded by shops selling clothes

Just pass by and take a look, it's just an ordinary city gate

On Qiyi Street in the ancient city, it is the main road leading to Mufu.

An ancient bridge in Lijiang Old Town has witnessed history and ups and downs.

A gate in the ancient city, I walked past it several times.

Guanmenkou is a stone gatehouse in the old town of Lijiang. It is located near the Mu Mansion. It was a gatehouse that the Tusi Lords used to pass through when leaving the mansion. After passing through Guanmenkou, the inside is the official area. The people in the old town all live outside the Guanmen.

Guanmenkou—In Lijiang Old Town, this gate is flanked by Naxi pictographic characters. Not far past the gate is the Mu Mansion. Legend has it that this was the city gate built by the Mu clan chieftains of Lijiang, with officials inside and the common people outside. Such a rigid hierarchy feels unpleasant.

It’s just so-so, please see my travel notes on Yunnan for details!

Guanmenkou was a place I remember very clearly because it was a well-known location and it was convenient for everyone to wait there. It was a very iconic location.

A striking large character reads "I've been here" at the official gate.

It’s just a city gate, nothing special. It’s not far from Li Mu’s mansion.

The only way to get to the Mu Mansion is quite ancient and quaint.

On the first day in Lijiang, I wandered around the ancient town with no direction at all. I wanted to find Sifang Street, but I accidentally came across Guanmenkou, which must have been a very important gate archway in ancient times!

In ancient times, Guanmen Gate was the dividing line between the rich and the poor. Those inside were rich and those outside were poor.

There are many Dongba characters painted on the door, which is very interesting.

Located on Qiyi Street in Lijiang Ancient Town, it is an antique archway.

Walk to the left (northeast) from the Mu Mansion, and you will reach Guanmenkou not far away. There is a city gate built later. Going out is Qiyi Street where people sell food. Then on the left (northwest) is Sifang Street, and to the right is the direction of South Gate.

Guanmenkou, like most of the scenic spots in the ancient city, actually doesn’t have much to see.

Guanmenkou is located in Chongren Lane, Qiyi Street, in Lijiang Old Town. It's a well-known landmark in Lijiang Old Town, and its archways are filled with fascinating Dongba inscriptions. Guanmenkou was once home to the Muwang Palace. Outside Guanmenkou, there are many snack stalls.

I went there at night, so there were more people and not many photos.

This is a relatively ordinary tourist attraction, part of the old city.

Guanmenkou, formerly known as the "Guanmenkou," was a dividing line between the rich and the poor in ancient times, with those inside representing the rich and those outside the poor. Guanmenkou also symbolizes the three "forces" (power, financial power, and physical strength). Today, all the goods of the ancient city are concentrated here, making it a distribution center for tourist products and a must-see for every visitor to Lijiang.

Guanmenkou is quite noisy, and there is a commercial street inside. However, there is Jiaheer Flower Cake, which is the one I am least tired of eating. Jiahua Flower Cake is too sweet for me.

When I was walking in Lijiang Ancient Town, what I liked was the hat on the master's head.

It's not far from the market, so it's nice to check out the local market.

I've been here many times. I was eating yogurt ice cream at Ding Ding Dang Dang across the street.

Located in the Lijiang Ancient Town, all the goods of the ancient town are gathered here. It is also the distribution center of the ancient town’s tourist products and a theme project that every tourist must visit when coming to Lijiang.

I don't feel anything, but I have to take pictures when I come here.

The attractions in the ancient city, you will definitely pass by when strolling in the ancient city

Guanmenkou is a gateway to Lijiang Old Town. Just inside is the Mu Mansion, and just outside is Sifang Street. In a place as easy to get lost as Lijiang Old Town, this landmark is a great way to find your way. The area around Guanmenkou is one of the most bustling areas in Lijiang Old Town, with a variety of eateries, handicrafts, and everything in between. The prices are surprisingly high. If you need to shop, consider walking further afield, where there are fewer tourists.

The master of the Mu Mansion did not allow people from the capital to enter and see his luxurious palace.

Guanmenkou was the former inner city gate of Lord Mu. Ordinary people were not allowed to enter. From here, you can walk to the Mu Mansion.

It is said that this was the inner city gate of Lijiang in the past, which was the inner palace of Mr. Mu. From here you can enter the Mu Mansion.

Not far from Guanmenkou, you will find the famous Mu Mansion.

The gate is an entrance to the ancient city. Once you get to the gate, there will be ticket inspectors on both sides to check if there are any fish that have slipped through the net and entered the city.

After entering the ancient city, you will feel the clear water flowing through it; your emotions will blend with the ancient appearance of this ancient city; whether it is the throngs of tourists or the shouts of merchants everywhere, the atmosphere just forms a contrast with the peaceful heart.







If one's cultivation is not burdened by material possessions, there will be a whole new world in one's heart.

I accidentally passed by here in the ancient city, but because many people didn't want to take photos, I hurriedly passed by here.

Guanmenkou (Guanmenkou), a place untouched by tourism, was once the dividing line between the rich and the poor. Inside were the rich, outside were the poor. It also symbolizes three forces: 1. authority, 2. financial power, and 3. fist power.

The road surface at Guanmenkou in June 2001 was bumpy.

The Guanmenkou (Guanmenkou) on the afternoon of October 18, 2009, has been renamed the Guanmenkou (Official Gate) today. This has given the area inside this gate a deeper sense of mystery, as it is now home to all the goods of the ancient city. It is also the distribution center for tourist products and a must-see attraction for every visitor to Lijiang.

Xinyuan Alley and Guanyuan Alley on Guangyi Street in Lijiang Old Town, previously undeveloped for tourism, are separated by two Mingchong shops: the first shop on the left is in Xinyuan Alley; the second shop on the left is in Guanyuan Alley, now the headquarters of the Mingchong Tea Company (Lijiang area). To the right of the first electric pole is Wenxiang, which now leads to Sifang Street. The second shop on the right, under the public toilet, was once a rice shop.

Since 2001, it has undergone a major transformation. Xinyuan Alley and Guanyuan Alley on Guangyi Street in Lijiang Ancient Town are now the only way to the Lijiang Mu Mansion.

It has been rebuilt twice. There are three vertical stone slabs in the middle of the road, which was the official road in ancient times, and the two sides are the roads for ordinary people to walk on.



In 2001, during the "Tian Yu Liu Fang" (Flowing Fragrance of Heavenly Rain) festival, there were small temporary stalls all the way from the left side of the Mufu Palace to the Yudai Bridge. Each stall cost 200 yuan per month, and there were 40 of them. (The phrase "Tian Yu Liu Fang" appears to be a fragment of a Chinese translation and likely refers to a specific location.) "Tian Yu Liu Fang" is a Naxi phrase, which translates to "Go study" in Chinese. The small stalls were discontinued in 2003, replaced by wooden steps for visitors to rest. (The phrase "Liu Fang" appears to be a fragment of a Chinese translation and likely refers to a specific location.) ...

It is a tower in the ancient town, not an independent attraction. If you go to Lijiang Ancient Town, you will find it naturally.

Guanmenkou's name is quite descriptive, as it was once a haven for high-ranking officials. Two stone lions and a pair of stone couplets line the entrance, creating a sort of city wall that kept ordinary people out. Today, Guanmenkou is just an ordinary passageway, well-connected. One side of Guanmenkou leads to Sifang Street, and from there, you can reach the Mu Mansion. From Guanmenkou, the narrow streets are lined with Lijiang specialties, from food and daily necessities to clothing. I bought coffee and flower cakes there, which were quite delicious.

In ancient times, Guanmenkou marked the dividing line between high-ranking officials and the common people: the rich within, the poor outside... This gate represented power, financial might, and strength, a symbol of inviolability. In 2009, to promote tourism development, the city of Lijiang changed the name from "Guanmenkou" to "Guanmenkou," further embodying the gate's significance and imbuing it with mystery.

We walked to an area near Guanmenkou that night and found several food stalls selling Lijiang snacks, so we decided to have our first dinner there. The famous Lijiang Baba is actually just a pancake, available in both sweet and savory flavors. It didn't taste anything special. We also tried some kind of vegetable roll, which was filled with bean sprouts and other things. The pork rib skewers were quite delicious, and I ate them all, feeling quite full.

There is a city gate, I don’t know what’s special about it, but there are still many people coming in and out.

You can find this place no matter how you go around in Lijiang Ancient Town.

A gate in Dayan Ancient Town, once a dividing line between the rich and the poor, symbolizing the rich inside and the poor outside. It also symbolizes the three "forces": 1. power, 2. financial power, and 3. fist power. There are many snacks at the main gate, but they're not very tasty.

Located in the center of Dayan Ancient Town, it is suitable for taking photos

He was on my way to Sifang Street. I didn't ask too much about its history, but at night, there would be people singing and playing guitar at the official gate, and people passing by would sing along. It felt good to go there at night for fun, provided you like singing.

Beautiful, very nice environment. Beautiful, very nice environment.

There is nothing special about this landmark building

It's at the gate. It only takes 5 minutes to get from Mufu to Guanmenkou. There is a Ding Ding Dang Dang store opposite where you can buy yogurt and write postcards. Turn left and go forward to Sifang Street. Guanmenkou is a gate.

Guanmenkou was built by the Mu clan chieftains of Lijiang. Mu clan chieftains were ancient feudal lords (of the Naxi ethnic group) who owned Lijiang's land, forests, and rivers, and served as the political rulers. The Mu clan lords primarily maintained their power through forced labor and voluntary labor from the common people. Guanmenkou once marked the dividing line between the rich and the poor: those inside, the rich, those outside. This gate represented power, wealth, and strength, a symbol of inviolability. In 2009, to promote tourism development, the city of Lijiang changed the name from "Guanmenkou" to "Guanmenkou," further embodying the gate's symbolic meaning and imbuing it with a mystical aura. Guanmenkou is filled with a dazzling array of goods and serves as the distribution center for tourist products in the ancient city. Nearly every visitor to Lijiang Old Town makes a trip there; it has become an essential part of any visit.

In fact, it is just an archway inside the Dayan Ancient City, but the symbolic significance of the official gate is far greater than its actual value. In ancient times, this was the dividing line between the rich and the poor, with the rich inside the gate and the poor outside the gate.

1. Located outside the Mufu Scenic Area in Dayan Ancient Town, it is a free attraction.

2. You cannot drive in the ancient city. It is recommended to walk there. Anyway, the attractions in the ancient city are very close.

3. There's a large food court near Guanmenkou, offering a variety of local specialties like soybean noodles and rice sausage, though they're quite expensive. There's also a Dongba paper shop near the main gate. The owner claims their crafts are all made using traditional local Dongba techniques, and I recommend checking out the workshop in the courtyard. Also, the stone walls at Guanmenkou are covered in numerous Dongba hieroglyphs, believed to be some of the only surviving Dongba characters in the world. I've noticed this place is much more beautiful at night, especially in the evening.

When you are strolling in Lijiang Old Town, you can easily see the Guanmen Gate, where the crowds are surging.

The reason I commented is that every time I get lost, I call the inn owner and she always says I'm waiting for you at the door.

Somewhere in the ancient city, next to the Sifang Street snacks

Lijiang Ancient Town is really big. I passed by Guanmenkou by chance. The scenery was average. In fact, the scenery in the ancient town is similar.

It is easy to see in the middle of the scenic area in Lijiang Ancient Town