XiZhou Ancient Town is a gem of Yunnan Province, located approximately 20 kilometers from Dali’s old town. Nestled along the shores of the serene Erhai Lake, XiZhou offers a unique blend of rich Bai culture, stunning ancient architecture, and a tranquil environment, making it a must-visit for travelers seeking a more intimate and traditional experience.
Overview
Location: XiZhou is situated within the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and is renowned for its well-preserved Bai minority culture.
Famous For: Traditional Bai houses, ancient courtyards, folk performances, unique local cuisine, and vibrant markets.
Getting There
From Dali: You can take a bus or taxi from Dali Old Town (20-30 minutes).
From Kunming: XiZhou is about a 5-hour drive from Kunming. Buses to Dali are available, and from Dali, you can take local transportation to XiZhou.
Best Time to Visit: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October).
Top Attractions in XiZhou
Yan Family Courtyard (Yan Jia Da Yuan): The most famous ancient residence in XiZhou, showcasing traditional Bai architecture with beautiful wood carvings, white-washed walls, and murals.
Bai Minority Culture and Houses: Explore over 150 well-preserved traditional Bai houses with intricate designs and courtyards.
XiZhou Morning Market: A bustling market full of fresh produce, traditional snacks, and local crafts. Arrive early (7 AM – 9 AM) to experience the market at its liveliest.
Erhai Lake: A stunning lake where you can walk, cycle, or take boat rides to enjoy the natural beauty.
Shuanglang Town: A trendy nearby town famous for its artistic vibe and boutique guesthouses. A perfect day trip from XiZhou.
Cultural Experiences
Bai Minority Dress and Dance: Experience colorful traditional Bai clothing and catch performances of traditional dances during festivals or market days.
Tea Culture at XiZhou: Enjoy traditional tea-tasting experiences in local homes or guesthouses.
Local Delicacies
XiZhou Baba (喜洲粑粑): A crispy, savory (or sweet) flatbread made from wheat flour. Try it fresh from street vendors.
Dali Cheese (Rushan, 乳扇): A Bai specialty cheese, often grilled or fried, that you can find throughout the town.
Erhai Fish: Fresh fish dishes prepared from the lake's bounty, best enjoyed at lakeside restaurants.
Rose Petal Cake (玫瑰饼): A delicate pastry filled with rose petal jam. This treat is especially famous in XiZhou, where roses are grown locally. Its fragrant sweetness makes it a popular souvenir.
Where to Stay
Local Homestays: Family-run guesthouses, often in traditional Bai homes, offering an intimate experience of Bai culture.
Boutique Hotels: For more luxury, boutique hotels combine modern amenities with traditional architecture.
Tips for Visitors
Language: Most people speak the local Bai dialect, but Mandarin Chinese is sufficient for communication. English is not widely spoken.
Respect Local Customs: Dress modestly and ask permission before photographing people.
Shopping: Support local artisans by purchasing handmade textiles, embroidery, and silverware from the markets.
Nearby Attractions
Dali Old Town: A larger, more developed town known for its old city walls, temples, and lively atmosphere.
Cangshan Mountain: Offers hiking trails, cable cars, and panoramic views of Erhai Lake and Dali’s landscape.
Conclusion
XiZhou Ancient Town is an ideal destination for those wanting to immerse themselves in authentic Bai culture, ancient architecture, and the peaceful lakeside environment of Yunnan. Whether you're exploring ancient homes, tasting local delicacies, or enjoying the beauty of Erhai Lake, XiZhou provides a rich cultural experience in a relaxed setting.
ShuangLang ancient town is a charming and picturesque village located on the eastern shore of ErHai Lake, DaLi, Yunnan province. Known for its tranquil lakeside scenery, traditional Bai architecture, and vibrant arts scene, Shuanglang is an ideal destination for those looking to experience the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region.
Getting There
By Air: The nearest airport is Dali Airport (DLU). From the airport, you can take a bus or hire a taxi to Shuanglang, which is about 50 km away.
By Train: The nearest major train station is in Dali. From Dali, you can take a bus or taxi to Shuanglang, which takes about an hour.
By Bus: Direct buses run from Dali Ancient Town to Shuanglang, providing a convenient and scenic route along Erhai Lake.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Shuanglang is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild and pleasant. Summers can be hot and rainy, while winters are cooler but still enjoyable for sightseeing.
Main Attractions
Erhai Lake: Shuanglang is situated on the shores of Erhai Lake, offering stunning views and opportunities for boating, cycling, and lakeside walks.
Moon Palace: A popular landmark in Shuanglang, the Moon Palace is known for its beautiful architecture and panoramic views of Erhai Lake.
Yuji Island: Accessible by boat, this small island is home to a variety of art galleries, cafes, and boutique shops, making it a great spot for a day trip.
Jinsuo Island: Another nearby island worth visiting, known for its traditional Bai village and tranquil atmosphere.
Benzhu Temple: A historic temple dedicated to local deities, providing insight into the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Bai people.
Cultural Highlights
Bai Ethnic Culture: Shuanglang is predominantly inhabited by the Bai ethnic group. Explore their unique customs, traditional Bai houses, and vibrant festivals.
Art and Craft: Shuanglang is known for its thriving arts scene. Visit local art galleries, workshops, and boutiques to see the work of local artists and artisans.
Local Festivals: Experience traditional Bai festivals such as the Third Month Fair and the Torch Festival, which feature music, dance, and local cuisine.
Accommodation
Shuanglang offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury boutique hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses. Some recommended places to stay include:
Sky Valley Heritage Boutique Hotel: A luxury hotel offering stunning views of Erhai Lake and elegant, traditionally designed rooms.
Sea & Moon Inn: A mid-range hotel with comfortable rooms and a beautiful lakeside location.
Shuanglang Daxie Homestay: A budget-friendly guesthouse providing a cozy and authentic experience of local hospitality.
Dining
Local Cuisine: Shuanglang is known for its fresh lake fish, traditional Bai dishes, and local specialties. Don't miss trying Erhai Lake fish hotpot, Bai-style grilled fish, and various wild mushroom dishes.
Restaurants: Recommended eateries include Spring of Small Town, Qingyu Restaurant, and Yixiangxuan Restaurant.
Conclusion
Shuanglang Ancient Town offers a serene and culturally enriching travel experience. Whether you're exploring the scenic shores of Erhai Lake, delving into the rich Bai culture, or simply relaxing in a lakeside café, Shuanglang promises a memorable and peaceful retreat.
Traveling from Dali to Lhasa is an epic journey through some of China's most stunning landscapes. Here are two detailed scenic routes with notable stops along the way:
Beautiful and varied YunNan province, south central China, borders GuangXi, GuiZhou, SiChuan and Tibet, and the countries Vietnam, Laos and Myanma.
With State of Zan ...
A fascinating, hour plus documentary by CCTV's Travelogue (from the English language CCTV9 channel).
Dali is a four and a half hours drive from KunMing, the provincial capital of YunNan in south China, or forty minutes by air. By rail it is also connected to nearby LiJiang.
We haven't posted a Travelogue for a couple of years, but are very happy to say that it is back to its best - intelligent presenter and beautiful cinematography. Highly recommended.
Inhabited predominantly by the Bai and Yi ethnic groups.
1 : Dali Old Town
1/1 In this segment, presenter Katrina Yu tours the artistic cobblestone streets of the Old Town, meeting adventurous travelers along the way -- and shows where you can party with musical locals at night.
1/2 Katrina sails across the serenely beautiful ErHai Lake, enjoying a taste of ethnic Bai culture along the way. She also gets a lesson in an ancient handcraft and peeks inside a luxurious lakeside guesthouse.
1/3 Katrina strolls through the surrounding grounds of Dali's iconic Three Pagodas, and shows audiences the breath-taking view from the top of the soaring CangShan Mountains.
2 : The outskirts of Dali
2/1 Katrina hikes the holy paths of JiZu Mountain, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in China, and discovers the historic temples which have given the area the nickname of "scented wonderland"
2/2 Katrina visits the traditional ethnic Bai village of XinHua. Join her as she is treated to a colorful 'Eight bowl' Bai banquet and gets a lesson in an age-old handicraft from a master silver maker.
2/3 Katrina wanders through the ancient town of ShaXi. Join her as she savors the sights and tastes of the bustling weekly market, and finds out how this age-old center has succeeded in becoming a modern tourist destination while maintaining its old-world charm.
3 : The 'thousand year old' village of NuoDeng, deep in rural Dali
3/1 Katrina and the crew arrive at the hillside village. They get a taste of Nuodeng's famous salted ham and meet a local man whose character is just as interesting as the temple he guards.
3/2 Katrina visits a unique family museum, and has her pulse checked at a guesthouse where the owners offer holistic health treatments as well as accommodation.
3/3 Katrina plays teacher and student for a day, getting a lesson in local culture at Nuodeng's lively primary school.
Picturesque DaLi is located in YunNan province, south China, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) northwest of the provincial capital, KunMing.
DaLi is surrounded by the CangShan mountains to the east, west and south, with ErHai Lake to the north. In this part of YunNan one can find 25 ethnic minorities (primarily the Bai people), which has created a unique cultural heritage bringing a charm to everyday life and a wide range of festivities.
Famous attractions include the Butterfly Spring and the Three Pagodas of ChongSheng Temple. DaLi is also known for its highly prized marble, known as DaLi Stone.
The old town is quite separate from the new city (called XiaGuan) and many buildings here, including the city walls and moat, date from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
DaLi is a 20 minute flight from KunMing (75 minutes from ChengDu and ChongQing). There are also flights to ShangHai, BeiJing, ShenZhen, GuangZhou and GuiYuan. By rail, DaLi is connected to KunMing and LiJiang.
风景如画的大理位于云南省南部中国，约300公里的省会，昆明西北（185哩）。 大理是由苍山群山环绕，东，西，南，与洱海北部。在这部分云南人能找到25个少数民族（主要是白族人），这创造了一个独特的文化底蕴带来的魅力，日常生活和各种庆祝活动。
著名景点包括蝴蝶泉和崇圣寺三塔。大理也以其如获至宝大理石，被称为大理石。 老城区，距离新城区（称为下关）和许多建筑在这里，包括城墙和护城河，日期从明朝（1368-1644）完全分离。 大理距离昆明有20分钟的飞行（从成都和重庆75分钟）。也有航班到上海，北京，深圳，广州和桂圆。通过铁路，大理连接昆明和丽江。
The first film features KunMing and ShiLin (YunNan province), GuiLin and YangShuo (GuangXi province); the second LiJiang, Shangri-la and DaLi (YunNan province); and the third ZhouZhuang and SuZhou (JiangSu province) ...
The Three Pagodas of Dali are independent pagodas in Yunnan province.
Arranged on the corners of a equilateral triangle, the Three Pagodas are located about 1.5 km (0.9 miles) north of the picturesque ancient town of Dali and face the west shore of ErHai Lake.
The pagodas are made of brick and covered with white lime. The style is rather unique among China’s ancient Buddhist architecture and are a national treasure.
The main pagoda, known as QianXun Pagoda, was constructed between 823 and 840 AD. It is 70 meters (227 feet) tall, square shaped and composed of sixteen stories with a carved white marble sitting Buddha statue at the center of each façade.
The body of the pagoda is hollow from the first to the eighth story, surrounded by 3.3 meters (10 feet) thick walls. In 1978, more than 700 Buddhist antiquities, including sculptures of gold and silver, plus manuscripts, were found within during major reparations.
The designers of the pagoda are said to have come from Xi’An, the capital of the Tang Dynasty at that time and also the location of another pagoda, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, which shares a similar style but is about one hundred years older.
The other two sibling pagodas, built some one hundred years later, are 42.2 meters (140 feet) high. Unlike the QianXun Pagoda, these are solid and octagonal, with ten stories.
Behind the pagodas is a small lake called JuYing Chi (Reflection Pond), which provides a beautiful view of the Three Pagodas.
In 1925 a major earthquake flattened almost every structure in Dali, but the Three Pagodas were undamaged and have stood now for well over a thousand years.
The video is filmed by filmli08. We have simply tried to improve the video quality of the low-resolution original.
Filmed in summer 2009.
Places include:
1: BeiJing and the Great Wall
2: PingYao, Xi'An
3: XiaHe, ChengDu, LiJiang, ZhongDian, DaLi
4: ShiLin, YangShuo
5: YangShuo, Hong Kong
