introduce
Shaxi used to be an important station on the ancient tea-horse road. With the decline of the ancient tea-horse road, it was gradually forgotten. But because of this, now Shaxi is quieter and more primitive, and better retains the style of the tea-horse town in the past. There is a saying in northwestern Yunnan: when you pass Dali, you pass Lijiang, and don’t miss Shaxi.
tour route
Walk across the Yujin Bridge, an ancient stone bridge beside the Heihui River, and walk about 100 meters along the ancient road, you will arrive at the Dongzhai Gate, which is called "Jiezi Gate" by the villagers. The two horses passed through at the same time, retaining the original appearance of the gate on the ancient tea-horse road. Further inside, you will arrive at Sideng Street, which is the only surviving market on the Ancient Tea Horse Road and the center of Shaxi Ancient Town. The whole street is paved with red sandstone slabs. On the east side is the ancient stage facing west, and on the west is Xingjiao Temple facing east. The two echo each other and divide Sifang Street into two halves. There are many horse shops, and three ancient lanes extend to all directions of the ancient town.
What to watch in Shaxi: Xingjiao Temple
Xingjiao Temple is a major attraction in Shaxi. It is the only remaining Ming Dynasty "Atuoli" Buddhist temple of the Bai nationality in China. The murals and sculptures inside are worth savoring. You can enter for free if you register for an ID card. On national festivals, the Bai people in the whole town will dress up in festive costumes and play the dragon-head sanxian. They gather in Sifang Street to sing and dance on the stage. There are crowds of people on Sifang Street, and the faithful men and women in Xingjiao Temple worship gods and Buddhas. It is a happy and auspicious time . One of the most lively ones is the prince's meeting on the eighth day of the second lunar month every year.
accommodation and meals
The ancient town of Shaxi is not big, and it can be finished in an hour or two if you have enough time, but if you have plenty of time, it is recommended to stay here for one night, walk along the old street at will, and slowly enjoy the tranquility and comfort that Dali ancient city does not have . There are youth hostels and various inns in the ancient town where you can stay, and the prices are relatively affordable. Small roadside shops can solve the problem of dining, and there are also local characteristic ground ginseng, matsutake, milk cakes, etc. to choose from.
opening hours
The ancient town is open all day, and the opening hours of the scenic spots in the ancient town vary. For details, please refer to the announcement of the scenic spot.
