归档： Attractions

Ancient Town Shaxi was once an important stop along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. As the route declined, it gradually faded into obscurity. However, this very isolation has preserved its tranquil, rustic charm, allowing it to retain the authentic atmosphere of its tea-trading past. Locals in northwest Yunnan say: “Visit Dali, pass through Lijiang, but don’t miss Ancient Town Shaxi.” Tour Route Crossing the ancient stone bridge over the Heihui River—Yujin Bridge—and walking about 100 meters along the old trail, you’ll reach the East Village Gate, locally known as “Jiezi Gate.” Built with rammed earth, this narrow gate allows only two horses to pass simultaneously, preserving its original appearance from the Tea Horse Road era. Beyond it lies Sideng Street, the sole surviving market along the Tea Horse Road and the heart of Ancient Town Shaxi. The street is paved with red sandstone slabs, flanked by an ancient opera stage facing west on the east side and Xingjiao Temple facing east on the west side, creating a symmetrical layout that divides the square into northern and southern halves. Surrounding the square are shops and horse inns, with three ancient alleyways extending in all directions of the town. Ancient Town ShaxiHighlights: Xingjiao Temple Xingjiao Temple is a major highlight of Ancient Town Shaxi. As one of the few remaining Bai ethnic “Atoli” Buddhist temples from the Ming Dynasty in China, its exquisite murals and carvings are worth savoring. Visitors can enter for free by registering their ID cards. During ethnic festivals, Bai people dressed in traditional costumes gather at Sifang Street, playing the dragon-headed sanxian and performing songs and dances on the stage. The bustling square fills with crowds while devotees worship at the temple, creating a joyous atmosphere. The liveliest celebration is the annual Prince Festival on the eighth day of the second lunar month. Accommodation and dining Ancient Town Shaxi is quite small and can be explored in just 1–2 hrs of casual strolling. However, if time allows, we recommend staying overnight to leisurely wander along the old streets and savor the tranquil charm that Dali Ancient Town lacks. The town offers affordable accommodations like youth hostels and various inns. You can grab meals at roadside eateries or try local specialties such as yacon, matsutake mushrooms, and milk cakes.

The Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple is located near Manting Park in Jinghong Town, serving as the spiritual center for Buddhist devotees in Xishuangbanna, with a continuous stream of worshippers visiting. The temple’s grand and majestic architecture features unique details in every corner, with exquisitely carved beams and pillars that offer visual delight. The Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple is connected to the Manting Imperial Garden, and visitors typically enter the temple through the garden. Visitors can first admire the magnificent exterior architecture, and if time permits, step inside to experience Buddhist rituals, quietly meditate, and listen to the sounds of nature. Known as “Waba Jie” in the Dai language, the Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple has long been the central pilgrimage site for local Buddhists. Before liberation, it was a sacred place where the region’s highest rulers and chieftains came to pray, and it remains one of the most prestigious Buddhist temples in Xishuangbanna.

The Colorful Yunnan Ancient City is found in Jincheng Town, Jinning County, Kunming City. It faces Dianchi Lake with Liangwang Mountain at back to demonstrate Yunnan’s multi-ethnic culture and ancient history and culture. With a clear blue sky and vibrant greenery, you can taste the fresh air and enjoy the beautiful view. You can also take a boat trip down the river, which is a great place for recreation.

Gudong Town is located in the northern part of Tengchong County and serves as the economic, cultural, and commercial center of northern Tengchong, earning it the reputation as the “Key Town of Northern Tengchong.” A 40 km drive from Tengchong County will take you to Yinxing Village in Gudong Town. With the rise of self-drive tourism, Jiangdong Yinxing Village is poised to become another new attraction in Tengchong. Mid-November to early December is the best viewing period for the ginkgo trees.The ginkgo trees in Jiangdong Village are not only ancient and naturally clustered, but also uniquely integrated with the village in a “village within the forest, forest within the village” harmony. Local houses are scattered around open spaces, surrounded by ginkgo trees of all sizes in front and behind, creating a scene of “golden carpets” when visiting this ancient ginkgo village. In recent years, villagers have continued cultivating young ginkgo trees, totaling about 33,000 across over 1,000 acres—likely one of Yunnan’s largest, most concentrated, and oldest ginkgo forests discovered to date. These ancient trees stand quietly majestic, hidden among mountain ranges and revealed through the village’s rustic charm.

Jiuxiang is located at Yiliang County in Yunnan Province; and though together with the renowned Stone Forest it is a vertical landscape of the karstic topography, the karst caves there are of its most characteristic feature. Numbering over a hundred in total, the caves in Jiuxiang are huge in scale and large in quantities; hailed as a “Museum of Karst Caves”, it is a must-see tourist attraction outside of Kunming. The main tourism sites include Yincuixia (the Valley of Shadowy Greenery), Jinghunxia (the Valley of Freightend Soul), Xiongshiting (the Lion Hall), Cixiong Feipu (the Waterfall of Androgyny), Shentian (the Heavenly Field), etc.