Winter Reverse Destinations | Lesser-Known Winter Getaways - Xiangyun Ancient Town, Dali

Yunnan is undoubtedly a great choice for a warm winter getaway. If you want to experience the beauty of Dali but want to avoid the crowds and high prices, we recommend Xiangyun, a reverse destination near Dali. Here, you can enjoy the warm sunshine and delicious local food. This is also the first place to be called "Yunnan". The colorful clouds and Xiangyun are the epitome of Dali's beauty. Main Attractions 1. Xiangyun Bell and Drum Tower Located in the center of Xiangyun Ancient Town, the tower was first built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty. It is the center of the four streets in the east, south, west, and north. The entire bell and drum tower is exquisite and heavy, with bright colors. The four streets connected to the bell and drum tower are built in the style of Ming and Qing architecture. 2. Zhenyang Gate Xiangyun was once an important stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road in Yunnan. Zhenyang Gate is located at the east end of the ancient town. It is very grand and is a testament to the history and culture of the area. Outside the gate, there are two small temples, Cangsheng Pavilion and Dongyue Palace, with flying eaves and upturned corners, which are typical of traditional Bai architecture. 3. Shuimu Mountain Scenic Area A 30-minute drive from Xiangyun County, this is an outdoor pilgrimage site composed of Maitreya Hall, Shuimu Temple Mahavira Hall, Puxian Temple, Relic Pagoda Forest, and Baohua Temple. It still retains a thousand-year-old ancient camellia tree from the Tang Dynasty. 4. Yunnan Yi Ancient Town Yunnan Yi, the southwestern fortress of the ancient Silk Road, is about 20 km from Xiangyun County. We recommend renting a car or driving yourself. The area is largely undeveloped, and you will rarely see outsiders, let alone internet-famous shops and cafes. This highlights the simplicity and purity of Yunnan Yi, making it a great reverse travel destination. Useful Information 🚄Transportation: From Kunming, it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes by high-speed rail to reach Xiangyun. After leaving the station, you can ride a shared bike to explore the area or take a taxi to the Bell and Drum Tower. The county is small, so you can find food, entertainment, and accommodation nearby. 🎫Tickets: All attractions in the ancient town are free. 🍕Food: While exploring, you can try local snacks and handicrafts, such as fried potatoes, roasted rice cakes, handmade tofu, milk tea, and roasted beef jerky. The Bell and Drum Tower is quaint during the day and brightly lit at night. Locals like to take a walk there in the evening, enjoying the slow pace of life in the small town.