Follow the Water Home: How the Babble of Yuhe Square Becomes the Most Reliable Map for the Lost

#holidayitinerary (Yuhe Square: 'The Living Water Heart of Lijiang Old Town' and the Earthly Starting Point of the Snowmelt River) This is not a square; it is a ceremonial basin where the mountain's gift is first welcomed into the human world, the grand foyer to a labyrinth of liquid streets. Yuhe Square marks the northern entrance to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lijiang Old Town. It is here that the Yu River (Jade River), born from the sacred Black Dragon Pool fed by Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, formally divides into three main channels that will go on to weave through every street and alley of the ancient city. This is not a static monument; it is a dynamic celebration of water, the very element that defines Lijiang's existence, charm, and ingenious ancient water-supply system. Step into the square and trace the water's journey: 💧 The Trinity of Canals: The square's centerpiece is the stone-lined split where the Yu River divides. Watch the clear, rushing meltwater part ways into the West, Middle, and East Rivers, each destined to feed different quarters of the town. This is the master valve of Lijiang's aquatic network. 🎭 The Gateway Ritual: The square is a bustling hub of arrival and departure. Tour groups gather, maps are unfolded, and the iconic water wheels mark the symbolic passage from the modern city into the timeless, cobblestoned world of the old town. 🌉 The Bridge of Beginnings: Multiple small, elegant stone bridges cross the channels, offering perfect vantage points to look back towards the mountain or forward into the maze of streets. Standing on a bridge is to stand between two worlds. 🪷 The Sound of Life: The constant, energizing soundtrack is the sound of flowing water—a cheerful, rushing babble that promises cleanliness, coolness, and life, a stark contrast to the silent, arid landscapes beyond the valley.