Shaxi Ancient Town (Jianchuan, Dali) – The Most Intact Horse Caravan Town

Stroll at the Main Spot of the Town - Sideng Street (寺登街)

The existing Sideng Street, which was put on the World Monument Watch list of the 100 most endangered sites in 2001, is composed of four parts: old market square theater, Xingjiao Temple, Ouyang Courtyard, and Yujin Bridge.

Among the three parts, the old market square theater (寺登戏台)in the center of Sideng Street. It is a perfect place for vibrant celebration of folk art that displays the culture and tradition of Shaxi.

Xinjiao Temple (兴教寺), built in the Ming Dynasty, is the only Buddhist temple of Bai People. At present it functions as a museum that exhibits how the Shaxi Rehabilitation Project (SRP) has contributed to the renewal of Shaxi.

Ouyang Courtyard (欧阳大院), the original homestead of the rich caravan leaders Ouyang family in times of the Tea Horse Road, is a superb example of three-in-one Bai folk architecture. Its wooden window shutters still open and close smoothly despite a century of use. Carving details throughout the residence remain intact and lovely despite their sometimes faded lacquer. People visiting the house are allowed to take photos of most of the common areas after paid a modest ten yuan fee.

Yujin Bridge (玉津桥) spans opposite the east gate of Shaxi Old Town. The ancient Yujin stone arch bridge built in the Qing Dynasty is about 6 meters high and 35.4 meters long. It is a perfect spot for photographers who want to capture a snapshot of Shaxi. This ancient stone bridge carries Shaxi’s history. Its surface is getting bumpy smooth by the touch of countless passing horses and travelers.

Attend & Witness the Vibrant Friday Market (星期五市集)

It is said that the market have been held on Fridays since 1415. Originally the market was a modest one. Locals gathered at the square outside of Xingjiao Temple to peddle homemade items to passing merchants who in turn traded goods from distant cities along the Tea Horse Road. But now it has grown into a massive affair.

Friday must be the highlight of the week in Shaxi valley. Nearby residents in traditionally dressed will gather together along the curbside to offer a wide range of local items. Such as freshly made goats cheese, traditional Chinese medicine, drying tofu, wild mushrooms, etc. It seems there is nothing that isn't for sale on Fridays in Shaxi. Even the hair can be cut and weighed in situ. If you come here on Friday, you should not miss this only surviving market of The Ancient Tea Horse Road.

>> Check more about Top 8 Ethnic Market in Yunnan

Accept the Blessing of Shakyamuni Buddha during Taizihui Holiday (太子会)

Taizihui is the biggest traditional folk activity of Yi minorities held every year on the eighth day of the second lunar month. Taizi refers to Shakyamuni Buddha and the holiday held in order to get Taizi’s blessing. According to the legend, it is in that day Shakyamuni decided to be a Buddha and began to deliver all living creatures from torment.

Enjoy Dancing around Fires during Torch Festival (火把节)

Torch Festival is a major festival for the Bai and the Yi minorities around Shaxi. It is held every year from the 25th day (24th for Yi minority) of the 6th month on the lunar calendar. It is said that Torch Festival is rooted in the local agrarian culture. Farmers originally took torches into the fields in order to scare away birds and insects that might eat the valuable crops. And it gradually evolved into a grand festival for all general people.

During the festival, Yi and Bai people dressed in traditional costumes dancing and singing around big barn fires go on late in to the night. Large torches even up to 20 meters high.

Shibao Mountain is 25 kilometers southwest of the Jianchuan County, and about 20 mins’ car ride from Shaxi Ancient Town. It is a famous Danxia landform mountain with famous Temples, Buddhist Grottoes and Golden Monkeys. Shibao Mountain earned its name from its turtleback-shaped cracks, which also look like lion, elephant and bell sometimes.

The Major Scenic Spots of Shibao Mountain

Its scenic spots include three parts: Haiyunju Scenic area, Baoxiang Temple and Shizhongshan. Haiyunju Temple facing the Lijiang Jade Snow Mountain in distance is the first Buddhist temple of Shibao Mountain Scenic Area. Known as the "Hanging Temple in Yunnan", Baoxiang Temple is built on a ledge of a nearly vertical cliff. Shizhongshan Grottoes, built during Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom periods (738 AD-902 AD), is the largest and best preserved grottoes existing in Yunnan. The entrance fee of the mountain is 50 RMB (20 RMB for Shizhongshan Grottoes).

Other Attractive Highlights of Shibao Mountain

Encounter with Golden Monkeys, which are as precious as Panda, will also be a wonderful experience while hiking the mountain.

Shibao Mountain Song Association, the grand traditional ethnic festival featured in singing battle, starts from the 27th day of the seventh lunar month and lasts about 3 days. During the festival, the Bai people wearing national costumes will gather at Shibao Mountain from Jianchuan Eryuan, Lijiang, Dali, Lanpin and other places.

Dali to Shaxi

Though Shaxi Ancient Town is closer to Lijiang, it is under the jurisdiction of Dali. Driving from Dali to Shaxi takes about 2.5~3 hours. You can also travel by coach. However, the coaches will only take you to Jianchuan County area, from where you need to change to a local minibus to Shaxi. The coach ride from Dali to Jianchuan needs about 2.5~3 hours, and the minibus ride is 1 hour around.

Check more details of How to Get from Dali to Shaxi Ancient Town >>

Lijiang to Shaxi

Shaxi Ancient Town is about 107km southwest of Lijiang. Every day from 8:00am to 17:30pm, there are about 14 long-distance coaches from Lijiang Coach Station (丽江客运站) to Jianchuan County. The coach ride takes about 2~3.5 hours. After arriving at Jianchuan County, you will find local green minibuses on the right side out of Jianchuan Coach Station. Hop on a minibus there, and you will be in Shaxi in about 1 hour.

Shaxi is a small town in Dali. Usually, about half day around is enough to explore its highlights like Sideng Street, Xinjiao Temple, Ouyang Courtyard, Yujin Bridge, etc. However, it usually takes at least 2.5 hours to get there from Dali and another 2.5 hours to come back. Therefore, most of the visitors will make a one-night stay at Shaxi. You are suggested to stay at Shaxi Ancient Town for at least one night too. This authentic old town offers many traditional houses with wooden carving products to see and interesting historic stories to tell. If you happen to visit Shaxi on Friday, you will also be welcomed by a vibrant Friday Market, which is the last traditional market on Tea and Horse Road.

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For Shaxi located almost halfway between Lijiang and Dali, it well-worth to stop over here for one or two leisure days for the visitors who are planning to visit the other two places. And since both Dali and Lijiang have superior transportation conditions, it will be a good option to choose Dali or Lijiang as first destination. However, we will recommend Dali more because Shaxi is a small town of Dali Prefecture. For more information, you can read below tour as reference.

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If you have your own ideas to plan your Shaxi Yunnan tour, please feel free to tell us your likes and our professional travel consultants will help customize a satisfactory tour for you!