[2025 Jianchuan Attraction] Travel Guide for Sideng Street Ancient Stage (Updated Jul)

"Open a door and cross six hundred years. There are no "attractions" here, only living history. Grandpa sat on the doorstep smoking a pipe. The shavings from the carpenter's shop flew like snow, Time in Jianchuan is much slower than anywhere else. " Jianchuan is located between Dali and Lijiang. It is a well-preserved ancient Bai city with a very low degree of commercialization. The city is full of local residents and there are almost no tourists. Both the ancient town and the new town are very clean and the people are very enthusiastic❤️It's my first time here and I really like it 🌈Game guide: 1. Jianchuan Ancient City City Walk ▫️Route: Ximen Street - Jiama Inn - Zhaozhong Temple - Jianchuan National Museum - Jingfeng Park - Jianyang Tower ✅Ximen Street: There are many ancient buildings and former residences of celebrities ✅Jia Ma Inn: the most photogenic spot on the whole street ✅Zhaozhong Temple: The Ming Dynasty wood-carved caisson is breathtakingly beautiful! Look up and see the "Book Roof" hiding four classics. The romance of Bai craftsmen is hidden in every inch of carving. ✅Jingfeng Park: A secret place with towering ancient cypresses, ancient temples from the Yuan Dynasty and pavilions from the Republic of China, sitting under the eaves at dusk and listening to the wind chimes will heal your soul ✅Jianyang Tower: In the center of the ancient city, the ancient stage is very beautiful when it is lit up at night ▫️The ancient city has a unique blues moment. In the evening, you can climb the ruins of the ancient city wall to overlook the blue tiles, white walls and distant mountains, or you can quietly wait for the lights to come on near Jianyang Tower. 2. Visit the woodcarvers ▫️Jianchuan is the "Hometown of Chinese Woodcarving", recommended: - Diannan Town, visit the woodcarving family workshop and experience carving small objects (appointments must be made in advance) -Zhao's Woodcarving Workshop, the master will tell you about the Bai ethnic totem culture behind the woodcarving 3. Bird watching at Jianhu Wetland ▫️Winter (November-March) is the season for migratory birds. Bring a telescope and you may encounter black storks and red-crested pochards by the lake. It is suitable for photography enthusiasts. ▫️The lakeside scenery is great and you can camp🏕️ 4. Yangcen Township: 30 minutes by car, an undeveloped ancient village with Ming Dynasty garrison relics and old houses with earthen walls. Occasionally, shepherds can be seen walking through the fields. 5. Thousand Lion Mountain: 3,268 stone lions squatting from the foot of the mountain to the clouds! The largest lion king is 25 meters high. Climb to the top and overlook the Jianchuan Basin. The sea of ​​clouds is like a fairyland. 🍜 Local cuisine ▫️Wang Ji Liangfen: Sold for 60 years by three generations! This is the only internet-famous store in the ancient city. It is the only place where you can experience the feeling of being crowded. Pea flour with secret hot sauce, sour and spicy, appetizing, 5 yuan a bowl and you can eat as much as you want! ✅Hand-cut Huagu rice: beautiful and delicious ✅BBQ set meal: includes grilled breast fries, bait cubes, blood sausage, tofu and vegetables, with great value for money. The homemade rose jam is amazing, sweet but not greasy, and you can see large pieces of rose petals, it's real stuff ✅Butter tea: Different from the one in Tibet, the one here should be improved, no strange smell, very delicious ✅You can try other beef patties, thin bean powder, and traditional baba ▫️Shanlaotui Hotpot Restaurant: Recommended ham slices, silver rolls, and buckwheat cakes ▫️Jianchuan Tubawan: Experience Bai ethnic banquet dishes, hot and sour fish and lily dumplings are must-try ▫️Early morning market: Nanmen Market opens at 7am, try the double-capped hat, try butter tea with buckwheat cakes, and buy some wild dried mushrooms, the price is very cheap 💡Tips 1️⃣ The ancient city is full of cobblestone roads, so be sure to wear comfortable flat shoes 2️⃣ Jianchuan is 2,100 meters above sea level, with strong ultraviolet rays, so bring sunscreen; the temperature difference between day and night is large, so bring a thin down jacket 3️⃣Accommodation: The first choice is the century-old Bai ethnic minority old house B&B in the ancient city! Live in a carved wooden building with an average price of 100 per person, and listen to the rain hitting the tiles at night 4️⃣Respect customs: Avoid stepping on the threshold of Bai people’s houses, and do not touch other people’s torches at will during the Torch Festival 🚗 Transportation: - Jianchuan has no airport or train station. It is recommended to drive from Dali or Lijiang (about 1.5 hours drive) or take a bus (there are shuttle buses from Dali Xiaguan Bus Station/Lijiang Bus Station, the ticket price is 30-50 yuan). -Inside the ancient city: Walk or rent an electric bike. The ancient city is not big, so it is suitable for a slow stroll.

Sisters! Today I'm recommending 4 hidden gem ancient towns perfect for solo relaxation—no crowds, just the gentle embrace of time. You'll find incredible healing traveling alone! 👇 🌟 Shaxi Ancient Town | Utopia on the Tea-Horse Road 📍 Dali, Yunnan Keywords: Slow living/Coffee aroma/Starry skies ✅ Must-visit: 1. Sideng Street Ancient Theater: Sit under the old locust tree in morning mist, listening to wind whisper across stone paths 2. Pioneer Bookstore: Artistic landmark in a converted granary—sip coffee while watching clouds drift 3. Yujin Bridge Sunset: Watch horse caravans disappear into twilight under crooked-neck trees 🍜 Food Guide: ▪️ Old Street Ersi Noodles (¥5/bowl): Sour soup with minced pork, a local childhood favorite ▪️ Grandma A Rui's Shop: Buy treats to take photos with granny—her flower cakes are divine ▪️ Raven Coffee: Courtyard seating with pour-over coffee and homemade brownies 🏨 Stays: ✅ Serene Waters Lodge (¥300-500): Bai ethnic house with mountain-view balconies ✅ Absolute Art B&B (¥400-600): Designer rooms with 100% Instagram potential 🚗 Transport: ✈️ Fly to Dali Airport → Shared van 2hrs (¥60/person) ⚠️ Mountain roads may cause motion sickness—bring meds! 🌟 Nanxun Water Town | Poetic White Space of Jiangnan 📍 Huzhou, Zhejiang Keywords: Cultural heritage/Water buses/Century-old mansions ✅ Must-visit: 1. Baijianlou: Ride ¥3 water buses through Ming-Qing architecture at 7am mist 2. Jiaye Library: One of Jiangnan's Four Great Libraries, serene among ancient trees 3. Little Lotus Villa: Watch koi dart through lotus blooms from covered bridges 🍜 Intangible Heritage Foods: ▪️ Double-Topping Noodles (¥15): Crispy pork + fried fish in slightly sweet broth ▪️ Xun Trotters (¥48/serving): Fall-off-the-bone tender, best with vinegar ▪️ Victory Cake (¥5/piece): Freshly steamed rice cake, sweet but light 🏨 Stays: ✅ Shade Garden (¥200-300): Century-old Huizhou mansion—sip tea in courtyard rain ✅ Blossom Hill·Qiushuli (¥500-800): Garden villa steps from old streets 🚗 Transport: 🚄 High-speed rail to Huzhou Station → 20min taxi (¥30) ⚠️ Cobblestone streets—wear comfy flats! 🌟 Zhaji Ancient Town | Anhui's Last Ink Painting 📍 Xuancheng, Anhui Keywords: Untouched beauty/Streamside village/Firefly haven ✅ Must-visit: 1. Xu Stream Morning Mist: Catch 5:30am fog swirling over stone bridges 2. Baogong Ancestral Hall: Peak Ming dynasty woodcarving artistry 3. Artists' Village: Stroll streams meeting painters and laundry-washing locals 🍜 Authentic Farmhouse Dishes: ▪️ Hairy Tofu (¥10): Charcoal-grilled with spicy dip ▪️ Chestnut Chicken (¥40): Woodfire-stewed to perfection ▪️ Kudzu Dumplings (¥8): Chewy-sweet antidote to spice 🏨 Stays: ✅ Bamboo Dawn Lodge (¥150-250): Creek-side cabins opening to bamboo ✅ Shangri-La Maison (¥300-400): Zen rooms with free Hanfu rentals 🚗 Transport: 🚄 High-speed rail to Jingxian Station → 40min taxi (¥60) ⚠️ ¥60 ticket valid 3 days—stay overnight! 🌟 Qianyang Ancient City | More Authentic Than Fenghuang 📍 Huaihua, Hunan Keywords: Ming-Qing legacy/Sour Fish Soup/Yuan River fishing lights ✅ Must-visit: 1. Lotus Tower: Where Wang Changling wrote "Pure heart in jade pot"—panoramic river views 2. South Main Street: Watch grannies pound pickled radish by day, enjoy Nuoxi opera at teahouses 3. Yuan River Sunset: Bike along banks watching fishermen net whitebait 🍜 Xiangxi Flavors: ▪️ Blood Cake Duck (¥58): Duck blood glutinous rice soaked in broth—pair with bayberry wine ▪️ Mung Bean Noodles (¥8): Silky fresh-ground rice noodles, spicier=better ▪️ Sour Soup Yellow Bone Fish (¥45): Locals' secret riverside spot for tangy-spicy broth 🏨 Stays: ✅ Ming-Qing House·Half-Day Leisure (¥200-300): Century-old carved beds + courtyard hot pool ✅ River Fisherman's Inn (¥150/night): Hammock balcony for boat-watching + owner's killer fish soup 🚗 Transport: 🚄 High-speed rail to Huaihua South → Shared van ¥25/person (40min) ⚠️ Free entry! ¥60 combo ticket covers 8 sites—super value! 💡 Solo Travel Tips 1. Safety first: Choose town-center lodgings—lanterns are sparse at night 2. Photography: Wide-angle for architecture, golden hour light is magic 3. Socializing: Chat at Shaxi cafes/Nanxun teahouses—you'll meet cool travelers 4. Packing: Light backpack + foldable umbrella + mosquito spray (Zhaji/Qianyang have bugs) This summer, gift yourself a getaway—let your footsteps write stories on ancient stone paths. ✨

【Introduction】: Shaxi Ancient Theater Stage Location: The Shaxi Ancient Theater Stage is located at No. 46 Sideng Street, Shaxi Ancient Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is situated in the core area of Sifang Street, facing Xingjiao Temple across the street, and is a landmark building of the ancient town. Notable Features: Architectural Art: The ancient theater stage is a three-eaved pavilion-style timber structure, with flying eaves and overlapping corners resembling a bird spreading its wings, showcasing the Bai ethnic group's "Three Drops of Water" architectural technique. The wooden framework combines the "Chuantou" and "Tailiang" styles, supporting the space while reflecting mechanical aesthetics. Cultural Symbol: The painted caisson ceiling is well preserved, with bold colors rich in Bai cultural symbols. The "openwork carving" and "hanging fish" between the dougong brackets subtly embody the wisdom of "seeing the big from the small." Related Legend: The ancient theater stage was originally built during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty as the Kuixing Pavilion, where Bai residents worshipped Kuixing and prayed for success in imperial examinations. Later, it also served as a theater stage, witnessing a century of folk customs changes in Shaxi. 🕘【Opening Hours】 Open 24 hours with no ticket restrictions. Recommended visit duration: 1-1.5 hours, best in the soft light of early morning or evening, ideal for photography and quiet reflection. Notes: There are many shops around the theater stage; it is recommended to visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds; no lighting at night, so please be cautious. 💴【Ticket Price】 Admission: Free entry, no tickets required. Recent changes: No price adjustments, feel free to visit. ⛺【Activities】 Architectural Appreciation: Three-eaved Structure: The layered flying eaves contrast with the blue sky, perfect for wide-angle photography. Painting Details: The painted caisson ceiling and wood carvings require a telephoto lens to capture; bringing a tripod is recommended. Cultural Experience: Kuixing Culture: Learn about the Bai students' prayer customs and appreciate the ancient emphasis on education. Folk Customs Evolution: Combine the Ming Dynasty murals of Xingjiao Temple and the Tea Horse Road relics to build a cross-temporal cultural matrix. Nearby Attractions: Xingjiao Temple: Admission 20 RMB, hiring a guide is recommended for an in-depth understanding of Buddhist culture. Sideng Street: Stroll along the bluestone pavement and experience the lively atmosphere of the Tea Horse Road market. 🚌【Transportation Guide】 Self-driving: Route: Depart from Dali Ancient City, take the Dali-Lijiang Expressway to X084 Road, which leads directly to Shaxi Ancient Town, about a 2-hour drive. Parking: Free parking lots are available around the ancient town but spaces are limited; arriving early or parking 1 km away and walking is advised. Non-self-driving: Direct shuttle: From Dali/Lijiang, the terminal is a 10-minute walk to the ancient theater stage. Carpool: About 80 RMB per person from Dali to Shaxi Ancient Town, 2-hour drive. Bus: From Dali San Yue Street Station to Shaxi, ticket price 55 RMB per person, 2.5-hour ride; or use the Dajiao Travel mini-program, ticket price 100 RMB per person, 1.5-hour ride. 👉【Itinerary Suggestions】 One-day tour: Morning: Ancient Theater Stage → Xingjiao Temple → Sideng Street. Afternoon: Yujin Bridge → Shibao Mountain Grottoes (30-minute drive). Evening: Shaxi Market (every Friday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM), experience local customs. Two-day tour: Day 1: Ancient Theater Stage → Xingjiao Temple → Sideng Street → Pioneer Shaxi Bai Bookstore → Yujin Bridge sunset. Day 2: Shibao Mountain (Haiyunju → Baoxiang Temple → Shizhong Mountain Grottoes) → Cycling around Heihui River. Accommodation Recommendations: Shaxi Maynian Cultural Inn: Located at Beiguzong Alley, Sideng Street, 200 meters from the ancient theater stage, quiet environment. Xiaosu Homestay (Yujin Bridge Branch): 5-minute walk to Yujin Bridge, offers free breakfast and goodnight milk. 🧡【Preparation】 Clothing: Short sleeves and sun protection clothing during the day, light jacket at night (temperature difference up to 10℃). Sun protection: High SPF sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses. Photography Equipment: Wide-angle lens (for architectural panoramas), telephoto lens (for painting details), tripod (for night shooting). Others: Power bank (no charging facilities in the scenic area), portable humidifier (dry climate of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau). 📌Tips to Avoid Pitfalls: There are many commercial photography groups around the ancient theater stage; visiting during off-peak times or choosing less popular spots is recommended. It is advisable to book tickets for Xingjiao Temple online in advance to avoid queues. Dining prices in Shaxi Ancient Town are moderate, but reservations or off-peak dining are recommended during holidays. Shaxi Ancient Theater Stage, with its unique architectural art and profound cultural heritage, is the soul of Shaxi Ancient Town. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast or a cultural explorer, you will find your own poetry and distant dreams here.

🍱Food Recommendations: Must-try Shaxi Rice Cakes🍥, Braised Chicken🐓, Grilled Milk Fan, Free-range Chicken Soup Hot Pot🥘. The sweet Shaxi Rice Cakes have a rose fragrance, while the savory ones are full of meat flavor🍣; Braised Chicken uses local free-range chicken🐔 with rich broth; Grilled Milk Fan is creamy and delicious; Free-range Chicken Soup Hot Pot offers authentic flavors 🚦Transportation Guide: 🚍External Transportation: First travel to Dali or Lijiang. Both Dali and Lijiang bus stations have direct buses to Shaxi, taking about 2 hours and 1.5 hours respectively. 🚖Internal Transportation: The ancient town is small and walkable. Take a taxi or tricycle to visit surrounding attractions 📸Photo Spots: 🏠Ouyang Mansion: 200 meters from Sideng Street, full of historical traces, with photo spots featured in "A Chinese Ghost Story." ☕️Mint Cafe: Take photos at the Shaxi wall outside; it's the "Youfeng Restaurant" in the drama. To take photos inside, order a coffee for about 30 yuan. 📼Ancient Stage: Facing Xingjiaoxi Temple with a prominent old locust tree. Next door is Grandma A-Rui's shop where you need to make a purchase to take photos. 🌉Yujin Bridge: Most beautiful at sunrise and sunset. If you're lucky, you might encounter street musicians in the morning mist. 📚Avant-garde Bookstore: Converted from an old granary with wooden structure, where sunlight streams in creating a warm atmosphere. 🎙Poetry Tower: Located behind the cafe opposite the Avant-garde Bookstore. The top of the tower offers sunshine and gentle breeze, very relaxing. 💈Tie-dye Workshop: Take photos with your colorful tie-dye creations for vibrant pictures. 🗃Travel Preparations: 🌈Documents: Remember to bring your ID card and any discount cards. 🌈Clothing: Large temperature differences between morning and evening, so bring a thick jacket; arrange light clothing and sun protection for daytime. 🌈Skincare & Sun Protection: Pack high SPF sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, and moisturizing skincare products - UV rays are no joke here. 🌈Medications: Prepare insect repellent, digestive medicine, and motion sickness pills as needed. ⚠️Notes: 💞Weather changes quickly, carry an umbrella⛱ 💞Many stone-paved roads, wear comfortable flat shoes.

As the May Day holiday approaches, while most people flock to popular tourist spots, Shaxi Ancient Town in Yunnan quietly awaits those who truly appreciate it. This sole surviving ancient market town along the Tea Horse Road has no noisy shops or over-commercialized development—only weathered stone paths, a solemn ancient theater stage, century-old horse inns, and a slow-paced lifestyle where the echoes of horse hooves may have faded but remain vibrant. Here, you can escape the crowds, experience authentic Western Yunnan culture, and feel the healing power of a place "forgotten by time." 1. Few Tourists, Beautiful Scenery: A Perfect Hideaway Unlike the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds in Dali Old Town and Lijiang, Shaxi receives fewer than a thousand visitors daily. During the May Day holiday, while Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake may be overcrowded, Shaxi's mornings and evenings still belong to elderly horsemen and sunbathing cats and dogs. 2. A Living Fossil of the Tea Horse Road Once an important salt and tea trading post on the Tea-Horse Road between Yunnan and Tibet, Shaxi still preserves its ancient market, old gates, and temples. Horse hoof prints embedded in the stone slabs continue to tell the legendary stories of the horse caravans. 3. Beautiful in All Seasons, Spring Special Early May marks the end of Shaxi's rainy season, with wildflowers blooming everywhere, newly green rice fields, willows swaying by Yujin Bridge, and morning mist intertwining with cooking smoke—every casual photo becomes a film-worthy pastoral scene. II. 2-Day Immersive Itinerary: Unlocking Shaxi's Hidden Corners Day 1: Time Travel, Touching Caravan Memories • Morning: ◦ Pioneer Shaxi Bai Nationality Bookstore: Take a high-speed train from Kunming to Jianchuan Station (2 hours), then a 40-minute taxi to Shaxi. Head first to "China's most beautiful rural bookstore," converted from a century-old granary. Enjoy coffee and browse books about horse caravans, experiencing the artistic atmosphere where old meets new. ◦ Ancient Theater & Market: Walk 10 minutes to Sifang Street, admire the ornately carved theater stage, and imagine the Yunnan opera performances during caravan homecomings. The stone-paved ancient market still retains grooves from caravan trading days—look for horse hoof prints for photo opportunities. • Noon: ◦ Shibaoshan Grottoes (15 km from Shaxi): A World Cultural Heritage site featuring peak Buddhist rock carvings from the Nanzhao Kingdom. Avoid tour groups and have a private moment with thousand-year-old Buddha statues, feeling the weight of history. • Afternoon: ◦ Yujin Bridge Sunset: Shaxi's landmark and an important post on the Tea Horse Road. After 4 PM, the setting sun gilds the ancient bridge, with the Heihui River sparkling below and rice fields and villages creating beautiful silhouettes on the opposite bank. Bring a tripod for "long exposure water flow + ancient bridge" shots. • Evening: ◦ Night Reading at Pioneer Shaxi Bai Nationality Bookstore: Join the bookstore's "Fireside Talks," listen to the owner's stories about Shaxi's horse caravans, or spend the mountain evening with a good book by the gentle light of the fire pit. Day 2: Deep Experience, Be a "Horse Caravan Leader" for a Day • Early Morning: ◦ Heihui River Cycling: Rent a bicycle (30 yuan/day) and ride along the Heihui River to Shibaoshan. Along the way, you'll pass rice fields, Bai villages, and shepherds—truly feeling like "walking in a painting." • Morning: ◦ Ouyang Mansion Exploration: The best-preserved Qing Dynasty Bai residence in Shaxi, with "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" stone carvings at the entrance and poetic paintings on the screen wall, hiding mysteries everywhere. Ask locals quietly, and you might hear secrets about "the Ouyang family once having horse caravan leaders." • Noon: ◦ Stone Pancakes & Free-range Chicken Hot Pot: Enjoy an authentic lunch at "First Sight Shaxi" guesthouse. Stone pancakes are crispy outside and soft inside, while the chicken hot pot, simmered with mountain spring water, is incredibly delicious. • Afternoon: ◦ Shaxi Surroundings Hiking: Choose the "Changle Village—Hualong Village" route, passing through terraced fields and walnut forests. Visit a tie-dye workshop to experience Bai tie-dyeing firsthand (about 80 yuan/person). III. Must-Do Experiences in Shaxi: Insider Tips to Avoid Tourists 1. Attend an Authentic Rural Market Every Friday is Shaxi's traditional market day, when local Bai and Yi people bring mountain goods and herbs to trade. Buy wild mushroom dried goods, ham, or try freshly grilled rushan cheese (5 yuan/skewer). 2. Stay in a Century-Old Horse Inn Recommended guesthouses include "Jixia Shan" or "Wuyue Nian," converted from Qing Dynasty horse inns that preserve stable relics, with rice fields just outside your window. Fall asleep to insect sounds at night and wake up to folk songs sung by descendants of horse caravan leaders. 3. Participate in Bai Folk Customs If you happen to visit during the Third Month Fair (lunar calendar), join in making Jiama paper or learning Bawang Whip Dance. Intangible cultural heritage inheritors will teach you to use carving knives to print blessing patterns on wooden boards as souvenirs. IV. Practical Guide: Transportation, Accommodation, and Tips Transportation • Main Routes: ◦ Kunming → Jianchuan Station (2 hours by high-speed train, 145 yuan), then taxi to Shaxi for about 40 yuan. ◦ Dali → Shaxi (200 yuan for private car round trip, 60 yuan/person for shared rides). • Surrounding Areas: Shibaoshan and Jianchuan Ancient Town are within 1 hour by car. Accommodation • High-end: Jixia Shan SUNYATA Hotel (converted from stables, pool overlooking Yujin Bridge, about 1,500 yuan/night) • Value for money: Wuyue Nian · Jixia Shan (horse caravan-themed guesthouse, about 400 yuan/night) Food • Must-eat List: ◦ Free-range Chicken Hot Pot (Shibaoshan farmhouse restaurants, 60 yuan/person) ◦ Shaxi Rice Noodle Rolls (A-Peng Snacks, 5 yuan/bowl) ◦ Matsutake Chicken Rice Noodles (limited supply during May Day, 20 yuan/bowl) • Warning: "Bai Eight-Course Meal" restaurants in scenic areas are overpriced. Better to find private kitchens recommended by locals. Important Notes 1. Shaxi has large temperature differences between day and night. For May Day, bring light jackets and sun protection clothing, plus a folding umbrella for the rainy season. 2. Respect local customs: Don't step on thresholds when entering Bai courtyards, and ask villagers before taking photos. 3. For morning photography at Yujin Bridge, arrive before 6 AM, or the best spots will be "occupied" by locals doing morning exercises. V. Why Shaxi Is Worth a Special Trip In Shaxi, time isn't meant to be chased but to be "wasted." You can spend half a day squatting by Yujin Bridge watching ants work, listening to elders tell stories about their horse-driving youth; or you can sit on the second floor of Pioneer Bookstore, watching farmers working in rice fields through floor-to-ceiling windows, unable to tell whether you're in 2024 or in the horse caravan era a century ago. There's no anxiety about "must-see attractions" here, only authentic life itself. When you share a pot of Pu'er tea with sunbathing elders under the old locust tree in Sifang Street, you might suddenly understand: true travel was never about checking off coordinates on a map, but about letting another way of life take root in your heart. Pre-departure Checklist: • Documents: ID card (prepare Yunnan health code in advance) • Equipment: Comfortable hiking shoes, folding umbrella, camera (even smartphones can take great photos) • Mindset: Slow down, and be ready to be "healed" by Shaxi.

📍Location: Shaxi Ancient Town, Jianchuan, Yunnan (between Dali and Lijiang) 🚗Transportation Guide ▫️From Dali: 2 hours by car/80 RMB for a shared ride ▫️From Lijiang: 120 RMB for a shared ride (we recommend taking the Niusha Line, the mountain views are stunning!) 📸Must-Visit Spots ✅Ancient Theater Square: Drink tea and sunbathe under the thousand-year-old locust tree, and listen to the sound of horses' hooves on the red sandstone slabs ✅Yujin Bridge: At sunrise, the morning mist lingers, and the horse herders pass through the water under the bridge, creating a cinematic feel ✅Xingjiao Temple: The only surviving Ming Dynasty Bai Tantric temple, with stunning murals ✅Librairie Avant-Garde: Poetry and distant places in the rice fields, the view from the second-floor window is breathtaking ✅Half Mountain Coffee: Li Xian's favorite spot, overlooking the entire ancient town 🍜Food List ▪️Milk Cake and Ham Pot: A must-try at Longfeng Ruiying Halal Restaurant ▪️Freshly Baked Flower Cake: Xiang 12 Western Restaurant (reservation required!) ▪️Matsutake Chicken Pot: Hot pot in the courtyard of Creek Coffee 🏡Accommodation Tips ▫️We recommend staying in an old house in the core area of the ancient town (Tangting/Shiran Mountain House) ▫️The deserted streets at 7:30 am, enjoy the tranquility of the entire ancient town ⚠️ Best Season: September to October when the rice fields are golden, and March when the pear blossoms are in full bloom Bring a light jacket! The temperature difference between day and night is large, and the UV rays are strong!

Shaxi Ancient Town, a pearl on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, was once a key hub for trade. The ancient road has witnessed countless caravans carrying goods, with the crisp sound of horse bells weaving a symphony of prosperity. The ancient town's Sideng Street is full of history. Every stone on the cobblestone road of Sifang Street bears the weight of history, having witnessed the bustling scenes of caravans resting. Xingjiao Temple stands quietly like an old man. Built in the Ming dynasty, this ancient temple is a treasure of Bai Buddhist architecture. The murals inside the temple are exquisite, and despite the erosion of time, they still vividly tell the Buddhist stories and Bai customs of the past. The ancient theater stage, though the hustle and bustle of the past has faded, seems to still echo with the sound of music and applause in the winter sunset. It is a stage for Bai traditional opera culture, carrying the emotions and memories of the local people.

"Beautiful Dali, Bai people build fresh houses." This is why I want to visit Dali. When I approached Shaxi, I thought of a poem by Ouyang Xiu. One line goes: "I love the beautiful things in Jiangxi, and I often boast about them to people in the north." Ouyang Courtyard | Mint Cafe | Avant-garde Bookstore | Take photos Everywhere you look, you see ancient towns and the strong atmosphere of ordinary people. It is a popular place for people who love the atmosphere of ordinary people. · 🚗Transportation: Set your destination to Shaxi ⌚Recommended time: 1 day 🕰Duration: 1 day - 🔎Detailed guide · ✅One-day itinerary: Shaxi Service Center → Ouyang Courtyard → Mint Cafe → Grandma A Rui's Shop → Ancient Stage → Xingjiao Temple → Yujin Bridge → Avant-garde Bookstore → Poetry Tower → Return (Image 2 is a detailed map guide, you can check it out if you need it) 1⃣Ouyang Courtyard: The driver will drop you off at Shaxi Ancient Town Service Center. Walk along Siteng Street for a few minutes to reach Ouyang Courtyard, where you can take photos at the same spot as the fairy sister. 2⃣Mint Cafe: Continue walking along Siteng Street to reach Mint Cafe, which is the Windy Cafe in the drama. You need to make a purchase to take photos inside. The Shaxi Wall next to it is also a great photo spot (Image 5). 3⃣Grandma A Rui's Shop → Ancient Stage → Xingjiao Temple: Walk a few more minutes and turn right to reach the Ancient Stage. There are many attractions here, such as the Big Locust Tree, Grandma A Rui's Shop, Xingjiao Temple, and Youli Grocery Store. They are all great photo spots. You need to make a purchase to take photos at Grandma A Rui's Shop (Images 6, 7). 4⃣Yujin Bridge: After taking photos at the Ancient Stage, follow the navigation and walk for a few minutes to reach Yujin Bridge. Sitting by the bridge and enjoying the breeze is very comfortable. It really feels like a windy place. 5⃣Avant-garde Bookstore → Poetry Tower: After crossing the bridge, there are many yellow bikes by the roadside. Bargain for a round trip for CNY 15 to the Avant-garde Bookstore, where you can take photos at the same spot as Li Xian. You can also take photos at the Poetry Tower opposite. The view from the tower is also beautiful. Finally, return to the ancient town and enjoy some food and drinks. The ancient town is not big, and you can finish exploring it in half a day. Although this place became popular because of the TV drama "Meet Yourself," when you come here, the simple folk customs of the ancient town will deeply touch you and make you fall in love with this place! 🔸If you have any questions, let me know in the comments...

In my first trip to Yunnan in 2012, I heard about Shaxi Ancient Town and was attracted by the photos of the theater in the town. After many years, Shaxi is now well-known and has completed its commercialization process as an ancient town. But for the sake of this ancient theater, I am still willing to make the trip. The Sideng Street Theater is located in the center of the ancient town and the existing structure was built during the Guangxu period. With its soaring shape, exquisite decorations, and ancient appearance, it is the most beautiful ancient theater I have ever seen. (p1-p4) The Xingjiao Temple opposite the theater is also worth a visit. The outer wall of the main hall in the temple preserves murals from the Ming Dynasty. (p5-p10) As a small town deep in Dali, Shaxi indeed has the charm of a paradise. Of course, the core area of the ancient town has been occupied by shops and guesthouses. (p11-p14) From Dali to Shaxi, I didn't take the highway this time but chose the shorter Niusha Line. Along the way, you need to climb over a high mountain, reaching an altitude of over 2500 meters, and my smart watch started to alert 'Plateau Care'. There are viewing platforms along the road where you can see the Haixi Reservoir landscape.

⛰【Travel Guide】 📍Detailed address: Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province 🚗Transportation Guide: Self-driving is the first choice, as car rental is very convenient. The next best option is to hire a car. Public transportation is not easy to access. Take a bus from Lijiang or Dali bus station to Jianchuan bus station (1.5-2h), then take a rural green minibus to Shaxi Ancient Town (40min-1h) 🌟Highlights: 1. Ancient Opera Stage The most characteristic landmark of Shaxi, built for the entertainment of gods through opera, with a three-story hip-and-gable roof and a three-sided viewing pavilion that is very elegant. It is also a landmark of Shaxi. 2. Xingjiao Temple A rare Bai ethnic minority Vajrayana Buddhist temple in China, with the main hall and secondary hall being Ming Dynasty relics. The 16 frescoes on the outer wall of the main hall are very precious. 3. Ouyang Courtyard A century-old residence built by a caravan leader surnamed Ouyang during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, very well preserved. 4. Dongzhaimen Today, the gates leading north and south from Sifang Street are all reconstructed works, only Dongzhaimen is the original historical piece. 5. Yujin Bridge A semi-circular stone arch bridge, an excellent spot for photography. In the old days, caravans would cross the Huacang Mountain from Niu Street, and crossing this bridge meant entering Shaxi. 6. Pioneer Shaxi Bai Ethnic Bookstore Located 2 kilometers northeast of the ancient town in Beilong Village, it is the fifth rural bookstore of Nanjing Pioneer Bookstore, transformed from a commune granary. 7. Sideng Street The most central street, with interesting shops concentrated here. 8. Grandma Arai's Shop Next to the ancient opera stage, there is a workshop run by a local grandmother, where all the handicrafts are handmade by her. 9. Jian Lake A wetland with good natural scenery, revered by locals. 10. Mid-Mountain Coffee Take a sightseeing yellow cart from 【Yujin Bridge】 to reach this place, located on a hillside. Before the wheat harvest, you can see vast golden fields~ 📌Little Tips: Don't miss the Shaxi market gathering time: every Friday morning from 8:00-12:00. The market is not just a small commodity market~ You can see local specialty products & handicrafts, and fully experience the authentic cultural scenery. Market recommendations to buy: wild mushrooms, fresh sheep milk, milk cakes, local homemade cured meat, bamboo crafts, etc. 🌟When tired, just sit in front of a stall, buy a bowl of sweet rice wine or mixed pea powder with sour papaya juice, cheap and delicious Universe Bread: Alkaline water European bread is delicious Crow Coffee: Shaxi coffee shop ceiling, signature hand-brewed Longfeng Ruiying Halal Restaurant: Beef and beef offal hot pot is very tasty and affordable Pioneer Book House: Former granary, today's bookstore, referring to this bookstore located on the ancient Tea Horse Road. Inside, in addition to books, there is also a café and a poetry tower. Love and Old Food: Not big but extra cozy, ingredients are bought fresh from the morning market, sold out means no more. Chew Chew Small Restaurant: It is said that Liu Yifei has visited, a shop loved by fairies, must be stunning enough. Pick a good weather, order a tiramisu & latte, even the wind is sweet~

| Be a passerby on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. In a place called Jianchuan in Dali, Yunnan, there is an ancient town, which is an important post on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. It is so quiet that it is almost forgotten. In recent years, because of a TV series 'Go to the Place with Wind', it has become famous. I have been here a few years ago, and it is not an exaggeration to say that this ancient town is still my favorite ancient town, without one. I thought that the heat of the TV series would make this simple and pure ancient town commercialized, but I didn't expect that when I visited again a few days ago, I found that it was still the same as a few years ago, without catching up with the trend, still so simple and quiet. . 📍Shaxi Ancient Town 🚗Shaxi Ancient Town, Jianchuan County, Dali City, Yunnan Province (recommended self-driving, the whole journey is accessible by expressway, the ancient town has a parking lot) 🎫Free admission . Stepping into Shaxi Ancient Town, it seems to have passed through the gate of time and space, and came to an ancient world. The winding stone road winds past, and the bluestone houses on both sides stand tall. After hundreds of years of wind and rain, they still reveal the breath of history. In the square in the center of the ancient town, an ancient stone well quietly guards this land, witnessing countless pedestrians' departures and returns. . 📸Must check-in ✅ Ancient stage The ancient stage is the most distinctive building on Sifang Street. It is located in the central street-facing position of the building group on the east side of Sifang Street. It has a history of over a hundred years. Because of its long history and pure wooden construction for a hundred years, it can now only be visited under the stage ✅Ancient temple The Xingjiao Temple opposite the ancient stage is an ancient temple that has existed in Shaxi for hundreds of years. It is very quiet inside, and it is now open for visit ✅Yujin Bridge The Yujin Bridge spans the Heihui River. The Heihui River is the mother river of Shaxi Ancient Town. It is clear and soft, and the Yujin Bridge is the first bridge to Dali. It is the only way for all horse teams from the south to the north in the past ✅Pioneer Bookstore This is a Bai bookstore. In addition to a large number of books available for reading in the bookstore, there are also many unique ethnic cultural peripherals of the Bai people in Shaxi. The scent of books and the originality of the ancient town are combined. It is the most comfortable in the life of the ancient town to draw half a day of leisure, pick a book you like, find a corner to sit down and quietly read the story in it. ✅Coffee shop There are many coffee shops in Shaxi, each with its own flavor and style. Just find a place to sit down, drink coffee and bask in the sun, it's all healing time . Shaxi is a very small ancient town. Although it is not big, it can make people linger. It is a place where people can calm down, stare in a daze, taste quietly, and think quietl

Shaxi Ancient Town in Yunnan, a town with a long history and profound cultural heritage, is definitely worth a visit! Compared with the famous ancient towns of Dali and Lijiang in Yunnan, Shaxi Ancient Town is less noisy and more quiet and simple. Here is a town with a history of 600 years, walking on the street can make people feel very comfortable. Among all the attractions in Shaxi Ancient Town, I prefer the Yujin Bridge in winter. Around 8 o'clock in the morning, as the sun slowly rises, the ground temperature gradually rises, and the surface of the Yujin River also begins to rise fog. The Yujin Bridge before and after sunrise is completely different, before sunrise it is quiet and blue, after sunrise it is warm and brilliant. If you come to Shaxi, don't miss Yujin Bridge, the ancient stage and Sideng Street. You can reach Shaxi by self-driving or carpooling, or by ordering a bus through the Caiyun Tong applet. The best shooting time for Yujin Bridge is at sunrise, the morning fog rising from the river and the warm sun are a beautiful combination. Shaxi Ancient Town is a place where people linger. If you also want to go to a quiet place to relax, why not come to Shaxi to feel the simplicity and tranquility here!

Shaxi Ancient Town 🏮 The only surviving thousand-year-old town on the Tea Horse Road, the bluestone slabs and ancient buildings full of traces of time, still retain their original appearance compared to other ancient towns, without too much restoration or construction of many imitation buildings🗼 Simple and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle, sitting under a big tree 🌲, the sun ☀️ is warm, the breeze 💨 is blowing on your face, and you can enjoy the leisure and comfort～☺️ 📍Location: Shaxi Ancient Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province Autumn in the small town is full of tawny colors, azure blue sky, and sunshine that warms the whole body. Even strolling in the small town, walking in the bumpy alleys, or sitting down to enjoy the autumn sunshine, is a rare enjoyment on weekdays. Check-in 📸 🔻Ancient stage The core ❤️ attraction of the ancient town, opposite is Xingjiao Temple🛕, it is beautiful to see it in the morning☀ or evening🌃😍 🔻 Temple Street The main road of the ancient town, with many restaurants and shops selling small items along the way 🔻Yujin Bridge🌉 You can't see the sunrise here 🌅, there are mountains on the opposite side ⛰️, and it was almost eight o'clock when the sun came out from the clouds ☁️, but in the morning, the village opposite 🏡 was shrouded in morning mist, and the sun ☀️ sprinkled out from the gaps in the clouds, which was very beautiful~ 🔻Market🛍️ Every Friday is the market day in the ancient town. It is very lively🔥. There are various mushrooms including matsutake🍄 and local snacks✌🏻 ⭐From Yujin Bridge 🌉 to the other side of the river, there are many yellow cars 🚕 waiting to pick up passengers (the price 💵 will vary depending on the peak and off-season, but if you have time, it is recommended to walk 🚶🏻‍♀️, which is basically a 20 to 30 minute 🕰️ journey, passing through the countryside and seeing different beauty), which can take you to several other attractions. Eat 😋 Sheep 🐏 milk pancakes, mushrooms 🍄, and ginseng are the specialties. You can also try the various coffee shops (it’s very pleasant to sit there for an afternoon ☺️) and Western restaurants 🍴. Among the local restaurants, "Chu Jian Shaxi Private Kitchen" is quite famous. Live There are many homestays to choose from inside and outside the ancient town OK 🚗It takes about 2 hours to drive from Dali. It is recommended to share a car, which costs 80💰 per person. You can also hitchhike, but the price is a little more expensive. The second half is basically a winding mountain road (not recommended for outsiders to drive rashly). There are buses between Xiaguan Bus Station and the ancient city, but the number of buses is small, so it is usually more convenient to share a car. If you have time, you can stay in Shaxi for a night and enjoy the slow life here. Maybe what makes you nostalgic is not the oil painting-like scenery here, but the leisurely ☺️life here!

Shaxi is the only thousand-year-old town on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. There is no noise of the city, no hustle and bustle of the crowd, only the singing of birds and the fluttering of leaves. The ancient stage is a must-visit place when you come here. It is the most distinctive building. It is located in the center of Shaxi Ancient Town and is also the soul of this place. Shaxi Ancient Town, Dali, Yunnan Location: County Road 0804, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province #Ancient Town