Lijiang is an attractive city and well-known tourist destination in the northwest part of China's Yunnan Province. Once a commercial centre in the 1300s, its Old Town area features lovely cobblestone streets, canals and a central market square lined with charming shops and tempting restaurants. The city is known for its wonderfully fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snowy mountains and unspoilt natural landscape inhabited by the Naxi and several other ethnic minority groups. Must-see attractions include Black Dragon Pool which offers panoramic views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains; the Baisha Naxi Embroidery Institute; and Mu Palace, where the Mu Clan of the Naxi people ruled for over 400 years.