Lijiang in the rain has a unique poetic charm.

🌧️ On a rainy night in Lijiang Old Town, the drizzle quietly arrives, and Boxin Yun She quietly blends into an ink painting. I lean against the wooden railing of the balcony, watching the raindrops weave a silver curtain in the warm lantern light, listening to the rhythm of raindrops tapping on the green tiles—this is the gentlest healing the ancient town offers to travelers.

🌿 Listening to Zen in the Night Rain, a Sanctuary for the Soul
The rainy nights at Boxin Yun She are a dialogue with oneself.
• 🌧️ Healing Rain Sounds: Sitting on the rattan chair on the balcony, rainwater slides off the flying eaves and splashes into tiny droplets on the bluestone pavement. The still water pool in the courtyard reflects the warm light of paper lanterns, and the ripples turn the reflection into a shimmering starry river.
• 🥛 Warmth from the Housekeeper: Every night, the housekeeper gently knocks on the door and hands over a cup of warm goodnight milk. Holding the porcelain cup in your palm, the milky aroma mixed with the fresh scent of rain-soaked plants feels as if the softness of the entire ancient town is melted into this cup.
• 🌸 Whispering Plants: The bougainvillea in the corner of the courtyard shines after the rain, and the succulents in ceramic pots drink the sweet rain. If you pay close attention, you’ll see the Naxi grandmother watering the roses with rice washing water, the petals gently swaying with water droplets.

🚶 Rainy Day Strolls, Exploring the Ancient Town’s Hidden Corners
Lijiang in the rain has a unique poetic charm.
• 🗺️ Walking Routes:

· 7 AM: Depart from Boxin Yun She, walk along Wuyi Street toward Sifang Street. The bluestone pavement glistens after the rain, and you might come across an early-opening soy milk shop, holding a warm bowl of soy milk as the ancient town awakens.
· Afternoon Exploration: Follow the ancient town’s wisdom of “entering with the water flow, exiting against it.” Walk from Boxin Yun She to Sanyanjing, watch Naxi grandmothers washing clothes with snow mountain water, then head to Zhongyi Market to buy a basket of strawberries for 5 yuan.
· Nighttime Poetry Tour: Carry the guesthouse’s paper lantern, follow the stream to find the fire pit folk songs deep in the alleys. The sound of rain accompanies the singing, as if traveling back to the era of the horse caravans.
• 🍄 Food Experience:
· Must-try mushroom hotpot (the old shops outside the ancient town are the freshest).
· Hide in a tea room to savor Pu’er tea paired with freshly baked flower cakes, the crispy crusts gently falling onto the celadon plate.

📸 Cultural Immersion, Memories Preserved
• 🌟 Guesthouse Activities:

· Every Wednesday, experience Dongba paper making and craft a bookmark using ancient techniques.
· On the rooftop “Sky Mirror” viewing platform, when the rain stops, you can capture reflections of the snow mountains and the ancient town.
• 👘 Costume Experience: Rent a Naxi cloak or Hanfu to take photos in the courtyard. The seven-star velvet balls gently sway in the rain, complementing the carved wooden windows and ink-wash courtyard.

💡 Travel Tips
• 👟 Gear: Waterproof flat shoes are a must (the ancient town’s stone pavement is slippery after rain), bring SPF50+ sunscreen (the highland UV rays are strong even on cloudy rainy days).
• 🌂 Props: Borrow an oil-paper umbrella from the housekeeper, listen to the rain under the courtyard archway, letting the doorframe become a natural picture frame.
• 💬 Language: Learn the Naxi phrase “Wa na la nu” (thank you) to receive warm smiles.

On the day I left, the housekeeper gave me a packet of flower seeds wrapped in Dongba paper. Now, every time I listen to the rain on the balcony, I always remember Boxin Yun She’s teaching: Where the heart anchors, the clouds bloom by themselves🌼.