He Lianghui, deputy secretary and mayor of Lijiang city, Yunnan province, has urged residents to cherish the environment as they cherish their own lives. He was speaking at a press conference with the theme "Beautiful Yunnan, sweet dream Lijiang", on July 31.

Lijiang municipal government has taken steps to protect water sources within the region, promote ecological construction involving biological diversity, afforestation and an aquatic ecosystem. Lijiang is considered to be a national garden city, and includes several environmental pilot areas.

The city also aims to develop cooperation projects with various international organizations such as the World Bank and the Nature Conservancy, as it continues its goals regarding ecological protection.

Visitors to Lijiang have the opportunity to enjoy three world heritage sites: the old town of Lijiang, the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas in the vicinity of the city and Naxi Dongba ancient books, following UNESCO’s acceptance of Dongba classical literature as a written world heritage.

Edited by Niva Whyman and Le Qin