[2025 Jianchuan Attraction] Travel Guide for Yujin Bridge (Updated Oct)

The Heihui River flows through Shaxi Ancient Town, and the Yujin Bridge spanning the river has become a vital passage for entering and exiting the town. Don't underestimate this elegantly curved stone arch bridge—it carries a significant historical legacy! Yujin Bridge was first built during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. Over the centuries, it has endured collapses and the ravages of war, being destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. At the apex of the arch, there is a stone carving of a turtle head gazing over the upper reaches of the Heihui River, while the other side features a turtle tail carving connecting to the lower reaches of the Heizhan River. At the ends of the bridge's railings, you'll find four stone sculptures of Chinese giant salamanders. For generations, the Bai ethnic people living in Shaxi have used this bridge as a crucial route to their fields and for trade. It bears the weight of Shaxi Ancient Town's rich history. Today, with modern roads providing access, Yujin Bridge has become a popular spot for tourists to take photos and enjoy its unique charm.

My dears, if you are also looking for a quiet and poetic ancient town to let your soul rest for a while, Shaxi Ancient Town will not disappoint you. I spent two days in Shaxi. Time passed as slowly as a poem, and the sweetness of life was hidden in every corner. - 📸【Photograph】Internet celebrity camera position Day 1️⃣: 🌉Yujin Bridge: The morning mist in winter is amazing, and the branches of the trees are sprouting tender green buds in this season. The ancient bridge spans the Heihui River, with mountains and water as its backdrop. The river reflects the trees and cattle and sheep on the shore, and any photo taken looks like an oil painting. 🎭Ancient stage: In the morning, the sun shines on the wood carvings, and the upward shot shows their grandeur; in the afternoon, the light and shadows are charming, and sitting on the steps will give you a full sense of atmosphere. 📚 Pioneer Bookstore: In the afternoon, sit by the window in the store, with coffee and books as your companions, and get the same seat as Li Xian. - Day 2️⃣: 🌄Beilong Village Observation Deck: Get up early and overlook the panoramic view of the ancient town, which is shrouded in morning mist and smoke, with scattered houses and a wide-angle view to capture a dreamlike scene. 🛣Sifang Street, Sideng Street: The evening afterglow sprinkles on the cobblestone road, and the center of the street rotates 360° to capture the shops, passers-by, flowers and plants, and the atmosphere is full of fireworks. ☕Youfeng Restaurant: You can check in the words "Shaxi" at the door. 🏡Mountain Breeze Courtyard: A tree house in a fairy tale. - 🛏About accommodation This time we stayed at the "Dao Xiangban Villa" near the ancient town. We could see large areas of rice fields and rapeseed flowers outside the window, as well as scattered villages at the foot of the mountain, which was very photogenic.

During the trip, record the small moments of happiness in life📸 The old couple taking pictures of each other in the Begonia Sea in Guizhou📷 The little friends playing in the cherry garden in Pingba, Guizhou The cartoon tree house in Shaxi, Dali and the lazy dog lying under the tree house🐶 The Shaxi Chaplin dancing alone in front of the ancient stage in Shaxi, Dali Grandma A'Rui in Shaxi has been sitting outside the shop sewing for ten years The Yujin Bridge in Shaxi under the clear sky The eye-catching moment waiting for the torch festival in Dali Ancient City People sitting under the trees by the Erhai Lake to cool off Or the people returning by the Erhai Lake in the sunset. The small moments of happiness in ordinary life are all those memorable moments✨

🏨【Accommodation Recommendation】Pioneer Poetry House - Shaxi International Writers' Writing Center Pioneer Poetry House 📚【About the Poetry House】 The seeds of poetry and song quietly sprout and break through the soil, Flourishing like a banner, Calling out to travelers from afar. In the vast wilderness, Books, coffee, and residency creation are embedded and integrated, Creating a natural, unpolished third residence for creators. The wind and clouds flow by, the calls of birds and insects feel familiar, Safe and comfortable, Just like the posture of writing, Then calm and peaceful, allowing inspiration to open up. 🕰️【Business Hours】 10:00—18:00 📍【Poetry House Address】 No. 12, Hualong Village Committee, Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, Pioneer Poetry House - Shaxi International Writers' Writing Center Pioneer Poetry House 【Transportation】 🚄Public Transport: After arriving at Dali Airport / Lijiang Airport / Dali Station / Lijiang Station, you can book a ticket to Shaxi via the WeChat public account "Caiyun Tong" and inform the driver to go to "Hualong Village Viewing Pavilion." 🚗Self-driving: Navigate to "Shaxi Town Banshan Coffee" and contact the Poetry House staff for pick-up and drop-off. 🗺️【Nearby Adventures】 1. Shaxi Ancient Town: An ancient market on the Tea Horse Road, walk on the time-worn bluestone slabs, and listen to the past at the ancient theater stage, Xingjiao Temple, and by Yujin Bridge. 2. Pioneer Shaxi Bai Bookstore: Former granary, now a book repository, a cultural hall on the Tea Horse Road, and a poetic sanctuary on the spiritual plateau.

**Escape the city hustle! 6 hidden gem small towns favored by autumn colors, live in the scenery to heal your body and mind🏡** 🍂 Let's have a spontaneous autumn romance~ These fairy-tale small towns are practically tailor-made havens for introverts! 1️⃣ **Songyang, Zhejiang｜A Time Capsule in the Fragrance of Rice** 🌾 📍 Address: Yangjiatang Village, Songyang County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province 💖 Love the terraced fields' morning mist at 6 AM, like falling into a fairyland! Don’t miss the cliffside bookstore in Chenjiapu Village, holding "Walden" while listening to the pine waves—best way for introverts to recharge🔋 🍜 Must-eat: Old Street’s "Wang Ji" gray juice cake + hand-ground soy milk combo, the rice fragrance mixed with brown sugar sweetness warms your heart✨ 📸 Photo spot: Cycling through Damushan Tea Garden chasing the wind, pick a handful of fresh tea buds in September and warm your hands, 100% refreshing and healing! 2️⃣ **Shaxi, Yunnan｜Slow Philosophy in the Sound of Horse Hooves** 🐎 📍 Address: Shaxi Ancient Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province 🌄 The 94-year-old Grandpa Ma Guotou’s copper bell sound is so touching! After rain, hiking Shibao Mountain you might meet Yi grandmas picking matsutake mushrooms~ 🍄 Mushroom hotpot must have wild chicken oil mushrooms! Paired with grilled milk fan for a sweet and salty combo that’s absolutely amazing, can’t get enough after three plates😋 🎨 Experience: Play with plant dyeing at Zhoucheng Tie-dye Workshop, the moment the indigo juice spreads, the Cangshan Nineteen Streams flow on the cloth💙 3️⃣ **Xiapu, Fujian｜Mudflat Light and Shadow Magician** 🌅 📍 Address: Xiapu County, Ningde City, Fujian Province 📷 Photographers rejoice! The silhouette of the purple seaweed racks at Beiqi mudflat is stunning, and the backlit sand patterns in Xiaohao Village at 3 PM are perfect for casual shots! 🦞 The old boatman’s tide chant is super practical: "New moon and full moon at noon tide," follow it to guarantee a full catch when beachcombing~ 🍳 Must order at the food stalls: shrimp oil drizzled mixed stew, razor clams + oyster omelet’s fresh flavor bomb will make your tongue burst with freshness! 4️⃣ **Bishan, Anhui｜A Secret Realm of Books and Tea** 📚 📍 Address: Bishan Village, Yi County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province ♟️ The chess game under the old locust tree at the village entrance is full of flavor! Bishan Bookstore hides the wisdom of "self-cultivation and family harmony" in its Republic of China textbooks~ 🐟 Stinky mandarin fish with chili sauce is amazing! The fermented aroma bursts in your mouth, and the fish meat is so springy it could play ping pong🏓 👗 Hanfu fans, take note! Find a master to custom-make indigo homespun shirts, the bamboo leaf embroidery on the cuffs is true ancient-style fairy magic🧚‍♀️ 5️⃣ **Qingshen, Sichuan｜Bamboo Sea Breathing Therapy** 🎋 📍 Address: Qingshen County, Meishan City, Sichuan Province 🎍 Bamboo weaving "Ruyi Basket" is addictive! Even if your fingers get scratched by the bamboo strips, you can’t stop, the sense of accomplishment beats promotion and raise~ 🐔 Bamboo charcoal slow-roasted Hanyang chicken skin is as crispy as chips! Dip it in a sauce made from wild mountain garlic + freshly ground green Sichuan pepper, so finger-licking good👅 🚂 Hanyang Ancient Town superstition: The third bamboo chair on the east side can see the Buddha light on Emei’s Golden Summit! (Believe it or not hhh) 6️⃣ **Yanshan, Jiangxi｜A Thousand-Year Ink Fragrance Ancient Street** 🖋️ 📍 Address: Yanshan County, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province 📜 The 700-year-old ginkgo tree at Ehu Academy is spectacular! When the leaves fall, you can almost hear Zhu Xi lecturing, the cultural atmosphere is full~ 🍡 Maji rice cake can stretch! The lamp wick cake breaks open with a hidden "Fu" (fortune) character pattern, elders say it’s a talisman for travelers✨ 🌙 The paper-making technique of the Lian Si paper craftsmen is amazing! Bamboo mats dipped in water turn fibers into silk, thinner than moonlight! The intangible cultural heritage experience is totally worth it~ 💫 These fairy-tale small towns are truly healing paradises tailor-made for introverts! Fewer people, beautiful scenery, and rich culture—quickly save and check them out~

When the clouds of Cangshan fall into the embrace of Erhai Lake, and the ancient city's ginkgo trees gild the blue stone paths, autumn in Dali gently sketches a poetic scene of wind, flowers, snow, and moonlight. From September to November, this thousand-year-old ancient city enters its most pleasant season—golden rice fields, translucent clouds, mountains and sea embracing, all your distant dreams come true here. 📍 Five Autumn Secret Spots ❶ Erhai Ecological Corridor "Oil Painting Gallery" 🚴 Cycling experience: 23 km barrier-free path through golden rice fields 📸 Perfect photo spot: Wait for the "Jesus rays" at Caicun Pier at 7 AM 🐦 Special spectacle: Siberian red-billed gulls arrive in late October as the advance team ❷ Cangshan Jade Belt Road "Cloud Walk" 🍁 Autumn color index: Late October from Ximatan to Gantong, the forest is ablaze with color 🚠 Lazy option: Take the Gantong cable car for a panoramic view of the hundred-mile Erhai 🧺 Picnic recommendation: Enjoy a Bai-style bamboo basket lunch at Zhonghe Temple platform ❸ Xizhou Ancient Town "Rice Field Concert" 🌾 Golden ocean: October rice field café offers limited-time "Rice Fragrance Latte" 🎵 Rural notes: Field jazz nights every Wednesday and Saturday at Zhou Café 🎨 Handmade experience: Join the autumn plant dyeing class at the Blue Continuation Tie-Dye Workshop ❹ Jizhao Nunnery "Zen Autumn" 🍵 Buddhist time: Taste Cangshan snow tea in the succulent courtyard and admire century-old ginkgo 🥗 Vegetarian legend: Line up at 11:30 for the "best vegetarian meal" 📿 Spiritual healing: Participate in morning chanting and pick wild autumn fruits with the master ❺ Shaxi Ancient Town "Time Capsule" 🐎 Tea Horse Road legacy: Buy freshly harvested walnuts from Yi villagers on Friday market day 🌌 Stargazing: Autumn constellation identification event by Yujin Bridge 🏮 Secret feast: Bai family dinner "Eight Bowls and Three Dishes" by reservation at Ouyang Courtyard 📅 Dali Autumn Festivals ▪️ September: Erhai Opening Festival (Millennium fishing lights reappear) ▪️ October: Bai Harvest Festival (Three Spirits folk activities) ▪️ November: Wuwei Temple Ginkgo Festival (Millennium ancient tree leaf-falling celebration) 🍁 Limited Flavors 🔸 Roushan Autumn Pear Roll: Fresh roushan wrapped in snow pear and baked 🔸 Erhai Osmanthus Fish: Fishermen’s fresh catch steamed with Cangshan wild honey 🔸 Yangbi Walnut Paste: Walnuts from century-old trees ground on site 🔸 Xizhou Crispy Baba: Autumn limited rose brown sugar filling 🏡 Autumn Stays ✅ By Erhai: Mingyue Songjian·Erhai (Terrace for gull watching) ✅ In the rice fields: Xilinyuan·Rice Field Branch (Window view of Cangshan) ✅ Inside the ancient city: Jixia Mountain·Dali (Immersive cultural experience) 📸 Photo Guide ▪️ Ethnic style: Rent Bai costumes and shoot in Zhou Ancient Courtyard ▪️ Cinematic feel: Shoot the "Heavenly Road" to Erhai on Hongsheng Road ▪️ Cultural lens: Early market scenes capturing local elders with bamboo baskets 💡 Helpful Tips ❗ Day-night temperature difference: Bring a light down jacket (summer clothes at noon/winter clothes early and late) ❗ Upgraded sun protection: UV index remains high, SPF50+ needed ❗ Travel tip: Rent new energy vehicles (easy charging around the lake) ❗ Cultural etiquette: Do not step on thresholds or point at statues in temples 🌾 When the autumn wind stirs waves in the rice fields, you will understand—every journey is to find your own poetry and distant place between Cang and Erhai.

🌄Day 1: Journey through a thousand years of Bai culture classroom 📍 Butterfly Spring Study Base (rush before 9 AM! Avoid study groups) ✅ Immersive experience: Bai grandmother teaches tie-dyeing scarves, kids use rubber bands to tie butterfly shapes, dip them in indigo dye vats, and when unwrapped, the blue and white patterns make the little ones scream with delight. At the butterfly breeding base, you can see the full process from larvae to chrysalis and even make butterfly specimens by hand (remember to book the workshop in advance). ✅ Hidden fun: The cormorant fishing show is super impressive, kids stare at the water without blinking, and after the show, they can take photos with the cormorants. 🍜 Lunch: Bai farmhouse dishes next to the "Puzhen Tie-Dye Museum" in Zhoucheng Village, must-try is the sour and spicy small fish tofu soup, the broth is so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows fall off, kids drank three bowls straight. 🚲 Afternoon: Cycling along the Erhai Ecological Corridor (Caicun Pier → Longkan Ancient Ferry) ✅ Family must-have: Rent a four-person bike with a sunshade (60 RMB/hour), the front basket is perfect for kids and super cute! Along the way, there are wetlands where egrets rest, kids excitedly count ducks “1, 2, 3…”. ✅ Instagram hotspot: The redwood boardwalk at Longkan Pier, after 4 PM the light is soft, perfect for stunning backlit family photos. 🏨 Accommodation: Kaiyuan Manju Dali Erhai Hotel (3-minute walk to the pier) ✅ Family highlights: Children’s themed rooms with slides and tents, bathrooms equipped with child toilet seats and toiletry kits. The hotel offers free kids’ meals (porridge, steamed eggs, cartoon-shaped rice balls), kids are super happy eating. 🌌Day 2: Slow time on the Ancient Tea Horse Road 🐎 Morning: Deep tour of Shaxi Ancient Town (avoid the midday sun) ✅ Caravan culture experience: Ride a pony by Yujin Bridge (50 RMB/lap), kids wear cowboy hats and become “little riders,” hearing the sound of hooves echoing on the stone road. In front of the Ming Dynasty murals at Xingjiao Temple, the guide brings history to life with stories. ✅ Family time at Vanguard Bookstore: Wooden stairs, sunlight streaming through skylights, kids holding picture books sitting in corners, moms taking photos at the same spot as actor Li Xian. 🍚 Lunch: Copper pot braised rice at "Mabang Restaurant," the aroma of cured meat mixed with soft potatoes, kids can eat a whole bowl by themselves. Don’t forget to order grilled milk fan with rose sauce, sweet but not greasy. 🎨 Afternoon: Intangible Cultural Heritage Jiama woodblock print making (inside Shaxi Ancient Town) ✅ Family interaction: The teacher guides kids hand-in-hand to print zodiac totems with carved blocks, kids don’t mind getting ink on their hands, the finished product can be framed as a souvenir (50 RMB/family). 🌙 Evening: Learn to brew three-course tea at Shaxi Old Teahouse, kids frown tasting the bitter tea but can’t stop drinking the sweet tea, and finally get to wear Bai costumes and dance the Bawang Whip dance. 🏨 Accommodation: Xizhai Astral・Qingtian Wild Fun (opening in 2025) ✅ Surprise bonus: The courtyard has a children’s sandpit and pet rabbits, kids chased rabbits for half an hour. The room is stocked with picture books and puzzles, and at night you can watch stars from the terrace. 🌿Day 3: Nature laboratory at the foot of Cangshan Mountain 🚠 Morning: Cangshan World Geopark (take the Gantong Cableway up) ✅ Geological exploration: On Yudai Road, every 300 meters there are illustrated knowledge boards, kids hold the "Cangshan Plant Guide" and find 10 types of ferns, also discover a squirrel’s nest. ✅ Family challenge: Hike about 2 km from Qingbixi to Zhenlong Chessboard, the stream is clear along the way, kids catch small fish with nets, dad takes photos to record. 🍜 Lunch: "Duan Gongzi" restaurant at the foot of the mountain, the steamed chicken in a steam pot is fragrant and rich, kids drank two big bowls of soup. Recommended to try jasmine flower scrambled eggs, the floral aroma blends uniquely with the egg. 🎨 Afternoon: Huayu Ranch rainbow slide + tie-dye experience ✅ Playtime: The rainbow slide (30 RMB/ride) is super thrilling, kids scream sliding down and want to go again. Wearing bright clothes in the flower sea for photos, the little train chugs by, like being in a fairy tale. ✅ Creative craft: The farm offers tie-dye experiences, kids choose their favorite fabric, use wooden clips to tie wave patterns, after dyeing and drying it becomes a unique souvenir. 🏨 Accommodation: Dali Yuelian Villa Mid-mountain Sea View Resort Hotel ✅ Family facilities: The family suite with a slide into the bathtub, kids slide straight into the tub and have a blast. The rooftop cloud starry terrace has swings and bubble machines, perfect for watching the Erhai sunset at dusk. 🐬Day 4: Magical journey in the ocean world 🐠 Morning: Dali Ocean World (enter before 10 AM) ✅ Must-see show: The dolphin knight performance is stunning, dolphins leap out of the water balancing balls, kids clap along with the rhythm. In the underwater tunnel, rays swim overhead, as if you could reach out and touch them. ✅ Science class: The jellyfish exhibit has staff explaining bioluminescence, kids use microscopes to observe hydra, learning new knowledge. 🍛 Lunch: "Dolphin Restaurant" inside Ocean World, kids’ meals include cartoon-shaped rice balls and fries, plus dolphin stickers as gifts. 🚣 Afternoon: Erhai Lake cruise (Xiaguan Pier → Xiaoputuo) ✅ Family time: On the top deck enjoying the breeze and taking photos, kids feed seagulls and have endless fun. During the Bai three-course tea performance, after tasting the sweet tea, kids voluntarily pour tea for mom, very heartwarming. 🏨 Accommodation: Yunqi Dali Seaview Hotel (opening in 2025) ✅ Design highlights: Rooms with natural wood style and 180-degree panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, kids lean on the window watching Erhai in a daze. The hotel offers free children’s Hanfu rental, perfect for stylish photos in the courtyard. 🛍️Day 5: Market treasure hunting + return trip 🛒 Morning: March Street Market (Lunar calendar days 2, 9, 16, 23) ✅ Local life experience: Holding kids’ hands wandering through stalls, buying fresh fruit, handmade milk fans, and tie-dye dolls. Kids are especially interested in sugar painting stalls, choosing butterfly shapes and eating happily. ✅ Intangible heritage experience: Bai grandmothers teach how to make tile cat clay sculptures, kids’ crooked creations are loved dearly, and can be taken home as decorations after drying. 🍜 Lunch: "Cuiluye Bai Courtyard Private Kitchen" (West Gate of Dali Ancient City) ✅ Family meal: Wood ginger pepper chicken is mildly spicy and appetizing, sour and spicy small fish tofu soup is incredibly fresh. Kids gnaw on corn cakes and play with the owner’s puppy for a while. ⚠️ Pitfall avoidance guide: 1. Choose morning for Erhai cycling, afternoon UV rays are strong and easy to sunburn (SPF50+ sunscreen essential). 2. Rush to Butterfly Spring before 9 AM! After 10 AM study groups flood in, greatly reducing the experience. 3. Book Cangshan cableway in advance on Trip.com, onsite queues may exceed 1 hour. 4. Buy souvenirs at small shops in the ancient city, over 30% cheaper than at scenic spots. 5. For family car hire, choose a 7-seat business vehicle (with child seats), 600-800 RMB/day for more comfort. 🎁 Recommended family souvenirs: ✅ Zhoucheng tie-dye scarves (50-100 RMB) ✅ Xizhou baba (freshly baked rose flavor is super fragrant) ✅ Jiama woodblock print rubbings (30-50 RMB) ✅ Milk fan with rose sauce (20 RMB/bottle) 🌼 The charm of family travel in Dali lies in blending education with the everyday romance of flowers, snow, and moonlight: the fish in Erhai are biology lessons, the rocks of Cangshan are geography lessons, farm work is life lessons, and ancient town architecture is history lessons. Slow down here with your kids, and you’ll find the best growth happens on the road.

Spanning the Huihe River in Shaxi Ancient Town, Yujin Bridge stands as a significant landmark along the ancient Tea Horse Road. Originally built during the Qing Dynasty, this stone arch bridge is constructed from red sandstone and paved with flagstones, exuding a sense of timeless history. Below the bridge, clear waters flow gently, while lush trees shade both banks, creating a picturesque scene. Having witnessed the comings and goings of horse caravans for centuries, it carries the imprints of time and remains a vivid symbol of Shaxi's history and culture. #mytraveldiary

Sharing the best photo route for your trip!✨ The photos I took last time in Shaxi got crazy compliments on social media🔥 Today, I’ve painstakingly put together this stunning photo guide Grab this magical route that makes everyone look great in photos! 📍 Scenic spot address: Shaxi Ancient Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province ✨ Opening hours: Open all day To truly enjoy Shaxi, you have to explore it right to discover the hidden charms tucked away in the alleys! This guide takes the road less traveled, unlocking hidden photo spots even locals don’t know about～ Remember! You must! Explore! The! Alleys! So many story-rich little shops are hidden deep in the alleys😍 🚗 Parking guide: Navigate directly to "Shaxi Ancient Town Benzhu Temple" 🔹 Address: Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province There’s a parking lot right at the temple entrance🅿️ (The parking lots in the commercial area of the ancient town are too crowded; this spot is less busy and more scenic) P2-P3 passenger seat shots are super cinematic～ 🌟 Complete must-shoot route breakdown: 1️⃣ Creekside path (P5-P6) After parking, walk to the path by the creek White walls, black tiles, and greenery all around Every snap looks like an artistic masterpiece!✨ 📌 Best time: 4-6 PM for the most beautiful light and shadows 2️⃣ Yujin Bridge (P7-P8) Keep walking forward to the town’s iconic landmark Locals often play guitar and sing in the square🎸 Creek water + white horses + weeping willows Instantly get the perfect cover photo loved by artsy youth! 3️⃣ Liu Yifei’s famous big tree (P9) [Where the wind blows] The prime check-in spot! The place where Liu Yifei’s character set up a stall in the drama Now a must-shoot attraction～ Avoid shooting during harsh midday sunlight 4️⃣ Ancient town street shots (P10-P14) Everywhere you’ll find big "Shaxi" character walls Various unique shops’ entrances are great for photos Outfit tips: light-colored dresses/ethnic style✅ 5️⃣ Rose tree on Sideng Street (P15-P17) Absolutely stunning! Saying it three times for emphasis! Spin your dress! Press the shutter! You’ll fill your phone’s memory in no time💥 (I took over 100 photos and still not enough...) 💡 Travel tips: ▪️ Recommended duration: half a day to one day is enough ▪️ Golden hours: 9-11 AM / 4-6 PM ▪️ Outfit guide: light colors + ethnic style for best shots ▪️ Avoid crowds: skip popular influencer spots if too busy! 📸 Editing tips: Use VSCO A6 filter + increase exposure Get that artsy vibe instantly!

Hello everyone! As a travel blogger deeply in love with the Southwest charm, I have carefully planned a high-quality, light luxury five-day, four-night travel guide for Dali, with a budget controlled within 5000 RMB. It blends natural scenery, Bai culture, hidden gems, and slow life aesthetics, perfect for couples, best friends, families, or solo travelers. It will truly help you "slow down" and understand the romance of Dali. 🌿【Dali · Five Days Four Nights Light Luxury Slow Travel】 > Theme: Cangshan Mountain as an eternal painting without ink, Erhai Lake as an ancient stringless zither > Budget: ¥4980 per person (single) > Best seasons: March-May (spring blossoms) | September-November (crisp autumn) 🗓️ Day 1: Arrive in Dali | First encounter with the romance of wind, flowers, snow, and moon ✈️ Transportation: Flight to [Dali Fengyi Airport] Or high-speed train to [Dali Station] (Kunming → Dali about 2 hours, ¥145) Airport/Train station → Dali Ancient Town: Taxi about ¥50 | Shared ride ¥20 ✅ Transportation cost: ¥200 (round-trip high-speed train + local transport) 🏨 Accommodation: - Stay at [South Gate of Dali Ancient Town · Designer Guesthouse “Shanyueli” or “Jijian·Hua”] Converted Bai courtyard, terrace with views of Cangshan, 5-minute walk to Renmin Road Price: ¥580/night (breakfast included) ✅ Accommodation cost: ¥580 🌆 Afternoon itinerary: Stroll around [Dali Ancient Town]: Walk along Renmin Road, Foreigner Street, Fuxing Road Check in at the “Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon” archway, Wuhua Tower night view Shop for handmade silver jewelry and tie-dye fabrics in small stores 🍵 Dinner: In the ancient town at [Duan Gongzi · Bai Cuisine] Recommended: Sour and spicy fish, Rushan cheese, Nuodeng ham fried rice, plum wine ✅ Meal cost: ¥80 🌙 Overnight in the ancient town, listen to the wind through the courtyard, watch stars fall on the rooftops 🗓️ Day 2: Cycle around Erhai Lake | Encounter the most beautiful coastline 🚴 Transportation: - Rent an electric scooter ¥80/day (ID required, helmet must be worn) Or charter a car for a day tour ¥300/car (more comfortable, can stop at hidden spots) 🌊 Classic Erhai Lake route (clockwise): 1. Longkan Pier🌅 - 6:30-8:00, watch the sunrise over Erhai Lake, stunning photos on the redwood plankwalk 2. Caicun Pier Erhai Lake gently brushing, egrets flying low, perfect for quiet sitting and daydreaming 3. Xizhou Ancient Town Check in at [Corner Tower] Eat [Xizhou Baba] (savory and sweet combo) ¥10 Visit [Yan Family Courtyard] (representative Bai residence, ticket ¥30) 4. Haishi Ecological Park (free) Erhai Lake S-bend, the couple trees guarding for a thousand years, a drone photography hotspot 5. Shuanglang Ancient Town View Nanzhao Style Island from afar Have afternoon tea at [Yang Liping’s Sun Palace Café] (reservation required) Recommended: Jijian·Mountain or Haidi Life, ¥48/cup, unbeatable view 🍜 Lunch: - Shuanglang [Little Fisherman · Erhai Fish Restaurant] eat bow fish, shrimp paste scrambled eggs ¥60 🏨 Overnight in Shuanglang: [Shuanglang Seaside Guesthouse · Above the Clouds] or [Haidi Life] Window view of Erhai Lake, private balcony, ¥680/night (breakfast included) ✅ Accommodation cost: ¥680 🍷 Dinner: Guesthouse custom dinner or Shuanglang small restaurant [Hua Chi Le Na Jiu] ✅ Meal cost: ¥70 🗓️ Day 3: Climb Cangshan Mountain | Touch the sea of clouds and forest 🚠 Transportation: Shuanglang → Ancient Town ¥50 (taxi or shared ride) ⛰️ Cangshan Scenic Area: Ticket + Gantong Cableway (Zhonghe Temple line) ¥120 Suggested route: Cableway up → walk Yudai Cloud Tour Road (7.5 km flat) → pass Qingbi Stream, Zhonghe Temple → descend 🌿 Highlights: - Traverse the primeval forest, listen to the babbling creek - Overlook Erhai Lake like a blue ribbon spread out - After rain, the sea of clouds surges, like a fairyland 🍜 Lunch: - Bring your own simple meal or mountain snack shop simple meal ¥40 🏨 Overnight in Dali Ancient Town (same guesthouse as Day 1) ✅ Accommodation cost: ¥580 🍽️ Dinner: Ancient town [Drunken Glaze · Creative Yunnan Cuisine] Recommended: Rose flower fried chicken, matsutake mushroom stewed chicken, Dali beer ✅ Meal cost: ¥90 🗓️ Day 4: Shaxi Ancient Town | The forgotten Tea Horse Road secret 🚗 Transportation: Dali Ancient Town → Shaxi Ancient Town (about 2.5 hours) Round-trip charter ¥400/car (can share, about ¥200 per person) ✅ Transportation cost: ¥200 🏯 Shaxi Ancient Town (free): The only surviving market on the Tea Horse Road Core attractions: Ancient stage: century-old wood carvings, silently watching Yujin Bridge: morning mist, horse hoof sounds Shideng Street: stone slabs, old oil mill, Pioneer Bookstore ☕ Experience recommendation: Read a poem and drink a hand-brewed coffee at [Pioneer Bookstore · Shaxi Branch] Find a small courtyard to eat farmhouse meal: cured ribs + bitter buckwheat cake ¥50 📷 Photo tips: 6:30-8:00 Yujin Bridge morning mist, 99% chance of great shots 🍽️ Dinner & Accommodation: Stay at Shaxi Banshan · Wuqing or Shijiushanfang boutique guesthouse - Price: ¥560/night (breakfast included) ✅ Accommodation cost: ¥560 ✅ Meal cost: ¥60 🗓️ Day 5: Return | Take away a piece of cloud 🌅 Early morning optional: Morning walk in Shaxi, buy a handmade Rushan cheese souvenir ¥20 🚗 Return: Charter car back to Dali Station/Airport ¥200 (per person) ✅ Transportation cost: ¥200 🛍️ Souvenir recommendations: Tie-dye scarf ¥80 Eryuan plum wine ¥60 Shaxi coffee beans ¥50 ✅ Souvenirs: ¥190 ✅ Total budget breakdown (per person) | Item | Cost | | Round-trip transportation (high-speed train + local) | ¥400 | | Accommodation (4 nights) | ¥2380 | | Attraction tickets + cableway | ¥240 | | Meals (9 dinners, 4 breakfasts) | ¥450 | | Vehicle rental/charter | ¥400 | | Souvenirs + emergency | ¥300 | | Total | ¥4970 ✅ 🌟 Travel blogger’s private tips 1. Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Dali’s UV rays are very strong, SPF50+ is a must 2. Respect local culture: Bai people don’t like random photos, take off shoes when entering homes 3. Avoid holidays: National Day/Spring Festival are crowded, prices double 4. Book in advance: Shuanglang seaside guesthouses and Sun Palace café require 3-7 days advance booking 5. Slow down: Don’t rush attractions, sitting by Erhai Lake daydreaming is the true essence of Dali > 🌄 Travel blogger’s sincere words: > Dali, > is not just a check-in spot, > but a lifestyle attitude. > It teaches you— > The wind need not be chased, flowers will bloom on their own, > Snow mountains silently stand for millennia, > And you just need to sit down, > Drink a cup of tea in the wind, > Listen to Erhai Lake say: > “Walk slowly, life is long.” 🎒 Pack your bags and go to Dali! Let the clouds of Cangshan rest on your shoulders.☁️🏔️🌊

🎒 A Solo "Small Town Healing Spot" Pick a weekend, turn off WeChat, and leave your worries at the high-speed rail station— --- 1️⃣ Anhui · Chaji Ancient Town 📍 Keywords: No commercial filters｜Sketching paradise｜Hui-style alleys 🚅 Arrival｜High-speed rail to Jingxian Station → Taxi 30 min (¥40 carpool) 🌿 Solo exclusive schedule - 06:30 Morning mist at Honglou Bridge, watch the creek blur the white walls and black tiles into ink wash - 09:30 Tea party in the courtyard of the artist’s guesthouse, sneak a cup of osmanthus rice wine - 14:00 Xianfeng Bookstore Chaji branch, read half an old book and take a nap - 19:00 Old street’s stinky tofu + steamed egg with qinyu fish, the night snack stall lights only one gas lamp 🏡 Stay｜Chaji Art Sketching Base ¥120/night, the owner often cooks meals 💡 Tips｜Almost private on weekdays; rain and fog make it even more magical --- 2️⃣ Yunnan · Shaxi Ancient Town 📍 Keywords: Snowy meadows｜Ancient theater stage｜Morning mist over Heihui River 🚗 Arrival｜Dali/Lijiang → Jianchuan Bus Station → Minibus 40 min (¥30) 🌿 Solo exclusive schedule - 07:00 Wait for morning mist at Yujin Bridge, caravan bells as BGM - 10:00 Drink salty milk tea on Sideng Street, learn Bai knot tying from grandma - 14:00 Xianfeng Bookstore Shaxi branch, flip to page 77 and use it as a bookmark - 18:30 BBQ by the rice fields, look up to see the Milky Way 🏡 Stay｜Ancient Road Inn ¥100/night, window overlooks a whole threshing ground 💡 Tips｜Friday market day is lively; other times the whole town is yours --- 3️⃣ Guangxi · Huangyao Ancient Town 📍 Keywords: Karst springs｜800 years of fermented black bean aroma｜No night entrance fee 🚅 Arrival｜High-speed rail to Hezhou Station → Ancient town shuttle 1 h (¥30) 🌿 Solo exclusive schedule - 05:30 Exclusive morning mist and ancient banyan reflection at Dailong Bridge - 08:00 Watch the three-eyed spring at Xianren Ancient Well, dividing tasks for washing vegetables, clothes, and drinking water - 12:00 Fermented black bean pork ribs rice ¥15, owner serves a bowl of Qingbuliang soup - 20:00 Lanterns light up, only your footsteps and cricket sounds remain on the stone slab street 🏡 Stay｜Guesthouse on the outskirts of the ancient town ¥80/night, open the window to see the dragon claw banyan 💡 Tips｜Free entry after 17:30, night tours are even more healing --- Save these three small towns in your memo, Pick a sunny day, Bring only a book, a backpack, and a mood to hide away— The town is small, just enough to hold all of one person’s thoughts.

#chinatravel Located beside the cobbled lanes of Shaxi Old Town, the Yujin Bridge (玉津桥) is more than just a crossing — it’s a living piece of the ancient Tea Horse Road. Built in the Ming Dynasty, this elegant stone arch once welcomed mule caravans carrying tea, salt, and silk between Yunnan and Tibet. Today, it’s a peaceful spot where locals wash vegetables in the river, children play, and travelers pause for golden-hour photos under the whisper of history. With the Cangshan Mountains in the background and centuries under its stones, this bridge is a quiet icon of Shaxi’s timeless charm. 📍 Just a few steps from Sideng Square, Shaxi Ancient Town 📸 Come at sunset for the dreamiest reflections and a touch of the past. #ShaxiBridge #YujinBridge #TeaHorseRoad #ShaxiOldTown #HiddenGemsChina #CulturalHeritage #AncientBridge #YunnanTravel

The filming locations of "Meet Yourself" have made this ancient town a must-visit destination! ▪️After binge-watching "Meet Yourself" with my little one curled up on the couch, we were both completely enchanted by the charming town and heartwarming story in the drama. ▪️Every frame was so beautiful that we couldn't resist taking screenshots. My child couldn't stop talking about the rice field paths and the "Windy Courtyard." Without hesitation, we packed our bags and headed to Dali to visit the same filming locations for a "windy" adventure🌈 💓Together with my child, we continued our own "windy story" in Dali! 【Main Filming Locations of "Meet Yourself"】 ✨The rice fields of Xizhou Ancient Town, where Xu Hongdou once walked. Standing here with my child, the golden rice fields against the blue sky and white clouds made for stunning photos🌞 ✨The Windy Courtyard in Fengyangyi Village, a thousand-year-old ancient village. Walking along the stone paths and earthen walls with my child, we felt the traces of time. My kid was thrilled to visit the courtyard. ✨Shaxi Ancient Town, where Grandma set up her stall. Strolling with my child among the red walls, blue tiles, and lush flowers, we experienced the authentic life of Dali. ✨The horse ranch at Tian Deng Hai Ping, where Xu Hongdou and Xie Zhiyao first met. This paradise-like spot was perfect for watching herds of cattle and sheep and running across the vast grasslands with my child—pure joy. 🍃Fengyangyi Village 🍃Filming Location: The Windy Courtyard, the inn where Xu Hongdou stayed Book in advance and take your child into the courtyard. Sit on the swing and share stories from the drama. Then, hike along the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, passing by Shuangzi Well and Guanyin Ancient Well. Let your child taste the fresh mountain spring water from a bamboo tube—refreshing and sweet💧 Remember to pack non-slip shoes for your little one, as the mountain paths can be rugged. 🍃Shaxi Ancient Town 🍃Filming Locations: Grandma’s stall and Yujin Bridge, where Xu Hongdou walked with her suitcase Dress your child in Bai ethnic clothing and capture stunning sunrise or sunset photos on Yujin Bridge🌅 Visit Sideng Street and explore Sifang Street. If you’re there on a Friday market day, let your child experience the lively atmosphere and try local snacks like chickpea jelly and fried potatoes—they’ll love it! 🍃Xizhou Ancient Town 🍃Filming Locations: Rice field paths, the Couple Tree, and Haishu Park Take your child on a mini train ride through the rice fields (¥35/person, free for children under 1.2m)—super fun🚂 Visit Yan Family Compound to admire Bai-style architecture, and pick up a tie-dyed souvenir at Sifang Street🎁 🍃Yunlong Tian Deng Hai Ping 🍃Filming Location: The horse ranch Go camping under the stars with your child. Lie in the tent and count the stars together, marveling at the Milky Way🌌 During the day, get up close with grazing cattle and sheep, or hunt for wild mushrooms in the Yunnan pine forests (a rainy-season exclusive activity)—endless fun! 🍃Erhai Lake 🍃Filming Location: The lakeside route where Hongdou drove Rent an electric bike and ride along Erhai Lake with your child. Feel the gentle breeze and the lake’s tranquility. Find a shallow spot by the shore for your little one to splash in the water and build sandcastles—pure happiness. 【Other Must-Visit Spots in Dali】 ▪️Dali Ancient Town: Wander the streets with your child and try local delicacies like Xizhou baba and rose-flavored pastries—a treat for the taste buds. ▪️Cangshan Mountain & Erhai Lake: Take the cable car up Cangshan for a panoramic view of Erhai, or enjoy a boat ride to soak in the scenic beauty. ▪️Chongsheng Temple: Teach your child about the history of the Buddhist kingdom and admire the ancient architecture. ▪️Weishan Ancient Town: Explore the legacy of the Nanzhao Kingdom and visit the hometown of Zhao Linger for a unique historical experience. ▪️Shuanglang Town: Stay in a Bai-style guesthouse by Erhai Lake. Watch the sunrise and sunset with your child for a relaxing getaway. ▪️Wuliang Mountain: Visit between February and March to see cherry blossoms blending with tea fields—a dreamlike sight. 【Must-Stay Lakeside B&Bs in Dali】 🌟Wuxiangjian · Dali East Shore Villa: Enjoy premium lake views with spacious rooms and thoughtful service—perfect for families. 🌟Dali Qingpu Hotel: Experience an eco-friendly island tour with your child and fall asleep to the sound of Erhai’s waves—utterly serene.

#chinatravel A historic hub along the ancient Tea Horse Road, Shaxi retains charm through centuries-old architecture, Sideng Market Square, and heritage sites like Yujin Bridge and Xingjiao Temple. Unlike more commercialized towns, it remains peaceful, with local markets, traditional inns, and cultural experiences that evoke the rhythms of ancient trade life. Activities include early fog photography, picking mushrooms, bonfire evenings, and artisan crafts. Best savored over several days to absorb its relaxed depth.

My first visit to Shaxi in 2023 was love at first sight Perhaps it's also my lucky place The casual accommodation guide I shared back then gained over 100k+ 👀 views Recently received many DMs from friends asking for updates Here's a fresh guide~ Shaxi Ancient Town is small, easily explorable in a day But if you prefer adventurous or intense travel You might find it slightly disappointing~ Shaxi's charm is best enjoyed slowly, savoring every moment Sharing several homestays I've stayed at least once Personal opinions only, no exaggeration~ Now Shaxi's electric cart service is booming Very convenient even without self-driving~ For countryside lovers, consider surrounding villages: 【Qingye】 In Changle Village - most memorable for its spacious rooms and large terrace facing wheat fields (but shower 🚿 water pressure fluctuates) 【Daoxiang Banshu】 In Hualong Village - open views with self-grown wheat fields, though rooms are average with some hygiene quirks... Bonus: farm-to-table breakfast veggies For pet lovers: 【Shiran·Mountain House】 Where Liu Yifei and Li Xian stayed during filming - fat cats 🐱 Zaizai and Adou are adorable! Sun-drenched design, though slightly aged 【Qixi·San'an】 Near granary - a real pet paradise with cats, Labradors, and ponies 🐎. Provides disposable toiletries, though courtyard feels compact For Chinese aesthetics: 【Yundu Shaxi】 Song Dynasty-inspired three-courtyard layout with ceremonial flow. Koi pond is stunning, exquisite details (even Raven-brand drip coffee!). Steep stairs - elders should book ground floor 【Kegongdi Cultural Hotel】 Neo-Chinese style blending local elements brilliantly (love the pony-shaped curtain hooks!). Flawless except price - luxury-grade facilities with genuinely warm staff. Amazing breakfast 😋, in-house café/tea room (almost excessive afternoon tea...) For cleanliness-focused: 【Maynian·Humanities】 My default choice when undecided. Impeccable hygiene, gorgeous flower-filled courtyard (summer rose walls!). Decor features owner's private collection (steep stairs again) Run by retired couple - if they're alone, please handle heavy luggage 🧳 yourself~ 【Tips】 1️⃣ Confirm nearby construction when booking; book early during peak seasons 2️⃣ Haggle for electric carts (usually 5-10 RMB/ride) 3️⃣ Sunscreen & hydration!

1. August Weather and Clothing Suggestions • Temperature: 15-29°C, with a large temperature difference between day and night. Short sleeves and sunscreen during the day, and a light jacket needed in the early morning and evening. • Precipitation: August is the end of the rainy season, with frequent light rain or showers. Be sure to bring a raincoat/folding umbrella and non-slip shoes. • UV Rays: Strong ultraviolet rays on the plateau, sunscreen SPF50+, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats are all essential. 2. How to Get There 1. From other provinces → Dali/Lijiang: Fly or take high-speed rail to Kunming, then transfer to a 2-hour high-speed train to Dali or a 1-hour flight to Lijiang. 2. Dali → Shaxi: ‑ Most convenient: Carpool or chartered car from Dali Ancient Town, 2 hours direct (one way about 120-150 RMB/car). ‑ Budget option: Bus from Dali East Bus Station to Jianchuan County, 1.5 hours; then transfer to a minibus at Jianchuan station for 40 minutes to Shaxi (total about 3 hours). 3. Lijiang → Shaxi: Chartered car 2 hours; or from Lijiang Bus Station to Jianchuan then transfer to minibus, total about 2.5 hours. 3. Transportation Inside the Ancient Town • Motor vehicles are prohibited in the core area of the ancient town. Rolling suitcases on stone-paved roads is inconvenient, so it is recommended to stay near the outer parking lots or arrange for the guesthouse to provide pick-up and drop-off. • It takes 15 minutes on foot to walk from Sideng Street to Yujin Bridge; you can also rent a bike for 20 RMB/day to ride along the Heihui River. 4. Must-Visit Spots 1. Yujin Bridge: Best photos at morning mist and sunset reflections, fewer people before 8:00 am; during low tide, you can go down to the river to shoot the "round arch bridge hole." 2. Sideng Street & Sifang Street: Friday market (live display of horse caravan culture), busiest from 3-5 pm. 3. Xingjiao Temple & Ancient Opera Stage: Yuan Dynasty ancient buildings; in the morning, you can listen for free to rehearsals of ancient music and scriptures on the opera stage. 4. Pioneer Shaxi Bookstore: One of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, with a third-floor terrace overlooking the ancient town, where you can get the "Windy Place" commemorative stamp. 5. Heihui River Meadow: The swing featured by Liu Yifei is still there; the meadow is greener after rain, perfect for picnics and photos. 5. Sample Itinerary (2 days 1 night) Day 1 09:00 Depart from Dali → 11:30 Arrive in Shaxi for lunch (recommended "Mint Coffee" hand drip + beef burger) 13:00 Check-in → 14:00 Explore Sideng Street, Xingjiao Temple → 15:30 Read poetry and drink coffee at Pioneer Bookstore 17:30 Wait for sunset at Yujin Bridge → 19:00 Bonfire party/folk music bar at Sifang Street Day 2 06:30 Morning mist cycling along Heihui River → 08:00 Breakfast with Xizhou Baba → 09:00 Light hiking in nearby villages (Duanjiadeng/Hualong Village) 11:30 Return to Dali/Lijiang, optionally stop by Jianchuan Qianshishan (half-hour drive). 6. Accommodation Recommendations • Inside the ancient town: ‑ Youfeng Courtyard Guesthouse (original model in the drama, book at least half a month in advance) ‑ Shaxi Qingjing Lanshan, Japanese-style courtyard, great for kimono photoshoots • Outside the ancient town: ‑ Guesthouses at the foot of Shibao Mountain, convenient parking, stargazing, average price 300-500 RMB/night 7. Special Experiences in August • Friday Market: The last living market of the Tea Horse Road, with fragrant melons and fruits in August, and fresh matsutake mushrooms and earth ginseng to try. • Post-rain "Sea of Clouds Terraces": Behind Shibao Mountain (20 minutes by car from the ancient town), clouds and mist swirl around the terraces like a fairyland. • Torch Festival Afterglow: If you encounter the end of the Bai Torch Festival (early August), you can join the bonfire dancing. 8. Pitfalls & Tips 1. Occasional landslides on mountain roads during the rainy season; confirm road conditions with the guesthouse owner before departure. 2. No ATMs in the ancient town; bring at least 300 RMB in cash, some guesthouses only accept WeChat/Alipay. 3. Respect Bai customs: remove hats when entering temples, do not step on door thresholds; ask for permission before photographing elders. 4. Sunscreen + Moisturizing: The plateau and post-rain evaporation are fast; face masks and lip balm are essential. Summary in One Sentence August in Shaxi is a dream of the Tea Horse Road in mist and rain—few people, fairy-like scenery, low prices. Just bring an umbrella, a camera, and a heart ready to slow down.

1️⃣ Shaxi, Yunnan | A Time Capsule on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road 📍Location: Jianchuan County, Dali ✅ Chill Vibes: - Watch morning mist drift over the Heihui River from Yujin Bridge, enjoy afternoon tea on Pioneer Bookstore’s terrace at dusk - Visit the Friday village market for fresh mushrooms and handmade rice cakes, learn tie-dyeing from local grannies 🚗 Transport: 2-hour carpool from Dali (¥80/person) or drive via Dali-Lijiang Expressway 🏨 Stay: "Lost Horizon·Shaxi" with skylight rooms (¥500/night in low season for stargazing) 🍜 Food: Must-try "Xibao Shangfan"'s chicken stewed with Litsea oil, paired with sour-spicy red rice noodles 💡 Tips: Linen dresses photograph beautifully, pack waterproof shoes for rainy season (Jun-Aug) 2️⃣ Zhaoxing Dong Village, Guizhou | Nature’s 20°C Air-Conditioned Haven 📍Location: Liping County, Qiandongnan ✅ Chill Vibes: - Morning hike through Tang’an Rice Terraces—July’s emerald fields resemble matcha cake, ethnic outfits make perfect photos - Sip bayberry juice by wind-rain bridges at dusk, listen to Dong folk songs over the river 🚗 Transport: 1.5-hour HSR from Guiyang to Congjiang Station, then 10-minute taxi 🏨 Stay: "Sky Escape" B&B with stilt-house views (¥100/person/night) 🍜 Food: "Liao Pangzi Sour Fish Soup"—freshly caught rice-field fish in spicy broth (3 bowls guaranteed!) 💡 Tips: Wild bayberries at lunar calendar 1st/6th market days (¥10/jin = fruit freedom) 3️⃣ Dongshan Island, Fujian | Your Private Jelly-Sea Paradise 📍Location: Dongshan County, Zhangzhou ✅ Chill Vibes: - Skip crowded Nanmen Bay, catch sunrise at Yanya Village, shoot moody photos on rocky shores - Feast on grilled squid at Tongling Night Market with icy "Four-Fruit Soup" (¥30/person = stuffed!) 🚗 Transport: 2-hour drive from Xiamen or HSR to Yunxiao Station + 40-minute taxi 🏨 Stay: "Deserted Island Aesthetics" cliffside sea-view rooms (¥200/person/night with bathtub) 🍜 Food: "Chenji Meatballs"' shark-fin soup will blow your mind, pair with volcanic-rock baked sweet potatoes 💡 Tips: Check for July’s bioluminescent "blue tears" at Tannan Bay 4️⃣ Songyang, Zhejiang | Jiangnan’s Last Hidden Wonderland 📍Location: Songyang County, Lishui ✅ Chill Vibes: - Paint on "Youmingtang Homestay"'s terrace amid centuries-old rammed-earth houses in Yangjiatang Village - Bike through Damushan Tea Plantation, rent Hanfu for tea-picking photos, sip Silver Monkey Tea at teahouses 🚗 Transport: 1.5-hour HSR from Hangzhou East Station + 10-minute taxi 🏨 Stay: "South of South" countryside rooms overlooking endless tea fields (¥300/night in low season) 🍜 Food: "Tianyuanlou"'s salt-baked chicken (tender with subtle saltiness) + Songyang whitebait soup 💡 Tips: Late May firefly season turns Biwu Dragon Pool into a fairy tale at night 5️⃣ Jingmai Mountain, Yunnan | Slow Living in Millennial Tea Forests 📍Location: Lancang County, Pu’er ✅ Chill Vibes: - Morning cloud-sea views over Brown ethnic stilt houses in Wengji Village, learn tea-picking from locals - Trek through Dapingzhang Ancient Tea Forest, retrace Tea-Horse Road, meet 1,000-year-old "Tea God Tree" 🚗 Transport: 2-hour drive from Pu’er Airport or bus to Huimin Town + shuttle uphill 🏨 Stay: "Jingmai Homestead" bamboo lodges (¥80/person/night with breakfast + tea-picking) 🍜 Food: "Brown Banquet"'s herb feast wrapped in banana leaves, paired with homemade rice wine 💡 Tips: Wear mosquito-proof pants! Tea forests are buggy—bring a mini fan for humidity 💡 Universal Tips: - Outfits: Linen/cotton for sun protection + photos - Book homestays with shuttle services—remote transport matters - Avoid holidays (Dragon Boat Fest/National Day), late May-early June offers fewer crowds & better prices ✨ True travel lets your soul catch up. These 5 gems slow time to 0.5x speed～

1. Overview at a Glance • Location: Southwest of Jianchuan County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province; the last millennium-old town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road • Features: No entrance fee, open all day, rustic architecture, slow pace, very low commercialization • Recommended Duration: 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights (best for a short stay and daydreaming) 2. Transportation 1. Getting There ① Airplane: Nationwide → Dali Fengyi Airport / Lijiang Sanyi Airport → Ride-hailing / Bus → Shaxi ② High-speed Rail + Bus: Kunming South → Dali Station (2h) → Dali East Station Bus → Shaxi Ancient Town Bus Station (42 RMB, two daily departures at 10:00/15:00, book one day in advance via the "Caiyun Tong" mini program) ③ Self-driving: Dali Ancient Town → Dali-Lijiang Expressway Dian South Exit → County Road 084 → Shaxi, about 2.5 hours; navigation to "Shaniu Road" can shorten the time 2. Internal Transportation Motor vehicles are prohibited in the ancient town; walking and renting bicycles (20-30 RMB/day) are sufficient. 3. Accommodation Recommendations | Area | Representative Guesthouse | Price | Features | |---|---|---|---| | Inside the Ancient Town | May Nostalgia Cultural Inn | 200-400 RMB | Bai ethnic wooden courtyard, 200 meters from Sifang Street | | Inside the Ancient Town | Jixia Mountain·Shaxi | 800-1500 RMB | Designer style, no air conditioning but great views | | Outside the Ancient Town | Shaxi Garden Hotel | 300-600 RMB | Accessible by car, convenient parking | Tip: During peak seasons (March-May, National Day), be sure to book rooms at least 2 weeks in advance. 4. Must-Visit Spots 1. Classic Landmarks • Sideng Street & Ancient Theater Stage: The heart of the ancient town, fewer people for photos early morning and evening • Yujin Bridge: Morning mist + sunrise/sunset, rapeseed flowers by the bridge (March) are stunning • Xingjiao Temple: Ming Dynasty murals + Atali Buddhist culture 2. Artistic and Niche • Matchstick Café: Overlooking the entire view from the top of Sideng Village • Shaxi Bai Ethnic Vanguard Bookstore: Yunnan’s only avant-garde bookstore, with stamp collection available • Universe Bread: Limited daily supply, sells out immediately after baking 3. Surrounding Extensions • Shibao Mountain: Stone caves + panoramic view of the ancient town, 2-3 hours hiking • Ancient Tea Horse Road Experience: You can ask the guesthouse owner to arrange a mule caravan (about 150 RMB/person/1.5h) 5. Shaxi Food Delights | Food | Shop/Location | Average Price | |---|---|---| | Shaxi Traditional Eight Bowls | San Niang Restaurant | 60 RMB | | Milk Cake & Ham | Sideng Street Street Stalls | 20-30 RMB | | Wild Mushroom Hotpot | Ancient Road Huifeng Restaurant | 80 RMB | | Rice Dumplings | Grandma A Rui’s Shop | 10 RMB | | Creative Coffee | Leaf’s Shop / Banshan Coffee | 25-35 RMB | 6. Classic 2-Day Itinerary Day 1: Arrival → Check-in → Stroll Sideng Street → Lunch at San Niang Restaurant → Photo at Ancient Theater Stage → Sunset at Yujin Bridge → Listen to music at Le Pub Day 2: 6:30 Morning mist at Yujin Bridge → Breakfast → Xingjiao Temple → Light hike at Shibao Mountain → Lunch and return trip 7. Pre-Trip Checklist • Documents: ID card (required for registration at some guesthouses) • Clothing: Light spring/summer jacket + thick autumn/winter jacket, temperature difference over 10°C between day and night on the plateau • Sun Protection: SPF50 sunscreen + sunglasses + sun hat • Shoes: Non-slip hiking shoes (stone slabs can be slippery) • Others: Power bank, cash (some small shops have no mobile payment), portable humidifier (dry climate) 8. Notes 1. No ATMs in the ancient town; withdraw cash in Dali or Jianchuan in advance. 2. Bargaining is possible for wood carvings and bamboo weaving; He’s Wood Carving and Master Zhang’s Bamboo Weaving have good reputations for experiences. 3. Respect Bai customs: remove hats when entering temples, do not step on thresholds; ask permission before taking photos. 4. Carry your trash with you to keep this "windy place" pure. Wishing you a wonderful time wasting time on beautiful things in Shaxi!

**🌿 Dali Hot Travel Guide｜Explore the Romance of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon with Just 1k per Person, Secret Spots That Will Blow Up Your Social Feed!** ✨ **【3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary, Save Money and Get Great Shots!】** **Day 1: Immerse in the Ancient Town + Romantic Erhai Lake** - Morning: Stroll around **Dali Ancient Town**, check out the artsy shops on Renmin Road, try roasted milk fan and erkuai (recommended "Yang Ji Po Su Baba") - Afternoon: Rent a **colorful Beetle convertible** (150 RMB/day) to circle Erhai Lake, must-stop at **Panxi Village S Bend** and **Xizhou Ancient Town** (rice fields + corner towers are super photogenic!) - Evening: Watch the sunset at **Shuanglang Ancient Town**, stay at a beachfront homestay (recommended "Wake Up Erhai", off-season around 200 RMB per person) **Day 2: Cangshan Secret Spots + Off-the-Beaten-Path Activities** - Morning: Take the **Cangshan Gantong Cableway** to the top, overlook Erhai Lake, hike the Yudai Road (ticket + cable car 110 RMB) - Afternoon: Visit **Jizhao Nunnery** (the most beautiful nunnery), enjoy a 20 RMB vegetarian meal, check out the succulent garden - Night: Explore **Dali Bed Sheet Factory Art District** for handmade crafts, listen to street singers live, full of vibe! **Day 3: Shaxi Ancient Town｜Same Spot as "To the Windy Place"** - Drive or carpool 1.5 hours to **Shaxi** (filming location of Liu Yifei’s crew), visit Pioneer Bookstore, ancient theater stage, ride a horse under **Yujin Bridge** (50 RMB/person), instantly become the heroine of a healing movie! 💰 **【Money-Saving Tips】** ✔️ Use shared bikes around Erhai Lake, cheaper than chartering a car ✔️ Buy Cangshan tickets online in advance for discounts ✔️ Avoid peak season in July-August, March-May springtime is warmer and more cost-effective 📸 **【Top Photo Spots】** 1️⃣ Xizhou rice fields + orange café (navigate to "Zhou Café") 2️⃣ The "Tree in Water" by Erhai Lake (navigate to "Langqiao Lonely Tree") 3️⃣ Morning mist in Shaxi Ancient Town (shoot before 8 AM for stunning views) 🍜 **【Food List】** - Must-try: sour and spicy fish, raw skin, rose jam yogurt, Weishan pork er si - Hidden menu: Beimen Vegetable Market’s "Jiu Niang Thin Bean Noodles" 3 RMB for a full meal! 🌟 **"In Dali, time is meant to be wasted."** Like and save, tag your travel buddy, let’s chase the wind together!

"Shaxi Ancient Town" is the ancient town I have visited so far. It has less commercial atmosphere and is well preserved. I personally like this place ❤️. Every corner, every wall, and every store is good to take pictures. The alleys here feel narrow and thin because of the old houses. "Yujin Bridge" is very quiet after the rain. Old trees, arch bridges, and ancient temples. If you can see the sunrise and sunset here, it will definitely be beautiful~

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. ✨

Yujin Bridge in Shaxi Location and Historical Background Yujin Bridge is situated at the southeastern corner of Shaxi Ancient Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, spanning the Black Hui River. It is a significant relic of the ancient Tea Horse Road. Originally built during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the current bridge was reconstructed during the Kangxi era. The bridge is constructed from bluestone, featuring arched structures adorned with carved stone turtle heads and auspicious animals. The bridge corridor bears inscriptions by the Qing Dynasty calligrapher Zhao Fan, bearing witness to Shaxi's historical prosperity as a bustling marketplace. The cobblestone path at the bridgehead and the riverside Bai ethnic houses create a picturesque scene, making it one of Shaxi's "Four Scenic Spots," known as "Iron Bridge Locking the River." 🕘 Opening Hours and Travel Tips Opening Hours: Open 24 hours with no admission fee. Best Times to Visit: Early morning 6:00-8:00 (misty and fewer tourists) and evening 17:00-19:00 (beautiful sunset). Recommended Duration: 1-2 hours, can be combined with nearby attractions like Sideng Street and Xingjiao Temple. Notes: The bridge is narrow; avoid lingering for photos. There's only one restroom on the east side of the bridge, so plan accordingly. 💴 Tickets and Expenses Admission Policy: Free entry with no additional charges. Nearby Dining: Snack stalls near the bridge average 15-25 RMB. Recommended: grilled rushan (8 RMB) and cold chicken rice noodles (12 RMB). For meals, try the homestyle restaurants in the alleys west of the bridge, with dishes like sour-spicy fish and water celery soup averaging 50 RMB per person. ⛺ Activities and Routes Cobblestone Path at Bridgehead: Best for capturing the full view of Yujin Bridge, especially during early morning or after rain when mist lingers. Riverside Below the Bridge: Feed wild ducks and enjoy the natural scenery. Exploring Bai Ethnic Houses: Nearby Bai ethnic homes are open for free visits, showcasing architectural details reflecting Tea Horse Road culture. Sunset Viewing: The bridge's changing light at dusk is perfect for photography; bring a tripod. 🚌 Transportation Guide Self-Driving: From Dali Bus Station, take the Dali-Lijiang Expressway to X084 Road, leading directly to the destination. Free parking is available near the scenic area but fills quickly; arrive before 9 AM or park 1 km away and walk. Non-Driving Options: Scenic Area Shuttle: From Dali or Lijiang, walk 10 minutes from the terminal to Yujin Bridge. Shared Taxi: From Dali's Caicun to Shaxi Ancient Town, about 80 RMB/person, 2-hour ride. E-bike Rental: Available near the scenic area for 30 RMB/day, ideal for short trips. 👉 Itinerary Suggestions One-Day Trip: Yujin Bridge → Sideng Street (Ancient Stage, Square Street) → Xingjiao Temple → Pioneer Shaxi Bai Ethnic Bookstore. Two-Day Trip: Day 1: Morning mist at Yujin Bridge → Stroll through Shaxi Ancient Town → Shibaoshan Song Festival (held from the 27th day of the 7th lunar month to the 1st day of the 8th lunar month). Day 2: Shadengqing Grottoes → Chenghuang Temple → Experience Bai ethnic tie-dye or "Bawangbian" dance. Accommodation Recommendations: Xiaosu Homestay (Yujin Bridge Branch): 5-minute walk to the bridge, includes free breakfast and bedtime milk, rooms average 300-500 RMB/night. Dengfeng Qingjing Lanshan Bieyuan: Offers balcony views of the Black Hui River, ideal for those seeking tranquility. 🧡 Pre-Trip Checklist Clothing: Short sleeves + sun protection during the day, light jacket at night (temperature difference up to 10°C). Sun Protection: High-SPF sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses. Essentials: Wear backpacks in front to prevent theft, bring a power bank (no charging facilities in the scenic area). Other: Rain gear (frequent showers during rainy season), comfortable walking shoes (lots of cobblestone paths). 📌 Pitfall Avoidance Tips During holidays, commercial photography teams occupy the bridge; visit during off-peak times or choose less crowded spots. Nearby horseback riding (50 RMB/round) is overpriced; walk to the riverside for free instead. Accommodation prices surge during holidays like Dragon Boat Festival; book 1 month in advance or stay 3 km away. Yujin Bridge, with its serene river views and rich history, is the soul of Shaxi Ancient Town. Whether you're walking alone in the morning mist or pausing under the sunset, it offers a poetic and lively glimpse into the legacy of the Tea Horse Road.

The atmosphere is peaceful, the air is good, the sun is bright and the breeze is gentle. The Bai people are kind, simple and friendly. The scenery is extremely beautiful. The restaurant food is exquisite, delicious and cheap. #Go to a windy place

🍱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.

In recent years, Shaxi has become popular due to the TV show "Where the Wind Blows" starring the "Fairy Sister." Actually, I had known about this ancient town long before, but because of the long journey and lack of other attractions nearby, I gave up visiting. This time, I was driving through Yunnan from Kunming to Lijiang, and made a special detour to this ancient town. Unlike the ancient towns of Dali and Lijiang, even though Shaxi has become famous, there aren't too many tourists here, which adds to the tranquility of the ancient town. The uneven stone-paved roads with deep and shallow cart tracks everywhere showcase the once bustling prosperity of the ancient Tea Horse Road; the dark yellow adobe houses and weathered wooden walls silently tell stories from long ago; while the stylish cafes scattered around and rows of advertising signs at street corners inject new life into the ancient town... I regret not coming to Shaxi earlier, a place with peace and harmony etched into its very core. Walking on Yujin Bridge in the early morning, both people on the bridge and the curved arches form reflections, creating harmonious and peaceful images on the river surface. The ancient town hasn't yet awakened, with just a few pedestrians strolling along the streets, very leisurely and relaxed. I love this slow-paced lifestyle, walking around casually, not rushing for time, free from the burden of paperwork. It's quite nice to let time pass slowly while doing nothing.

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.

🐲 Visit Shaxi Ancient Town, following the series Meeting Yourself 🤩 Shaxi Ancient Town is located between Lijiang and Dali. It is an ancient town with historical significance on the Tea Horse Road, which connects China with Tibet and Central Asia. Currently, Shaxi Ancient Town still preserves its original city very well. 🏡 Inside the ancient town, there are shops, restaurants, and cafes along the way. The highlight of the town is the Yujin Bridge across the Heihui River, very beautiful!!! ‼️ It is recommended to walk past the bridge. There will be a way down to the river. During low tide, you can go down to take pictures of the bridge. You will see the reflection of the bridge in the river in a circle. It is very beautiful. 🚗 How to get to Shaxi Town: Private car or buy a Day Trip tour is more convenient than taking public transportation (many buses and takes a long time). We rented a car with a driver from Lijiang. ❤️ Shaxi Town is a small, lovely town. When we went, there were not many people. It was peaceful. There was both an old town atmosphere and nature. There were many photo spots. It was very beautiful, especially the Yujin Bridge. The atmosphere was very good. If anyone has time, I recommend coming here. We stayed here for about half a day. Because there are many photo spots and we stopped for lunch at the restaurant in the series. It was like following the series. ☺️ When you go to Shaxi City, don't forget to stop by the bookstore that is said to be the most beautiful. It is a small shop near Shaxi City. #TravelChina

### **1. Natural Beauty & Poetic Living** - **🏞️ Shaxi Ancient Town, Yunnan's last "Shangri-La"! Quieter than Lijiang, more beautiful than Dali!** - **🌿 On the banks of the Heihui River, with ancient bridges reflected in the water, every frame of Shaxi is like a movie scene!** - **✨ Shaxi in the morning mist, shrouded in clouds and fog, is like stepping into a Chinese ink painting!** - **🌄 The setting sun casts a golden glow on the Sifang Street's red sandstone slabs, as if time slows down here…** ### **2. Culture & History Exploration** - **🏛️ The only surviving ancient market town on the Tea Horse Road, Shaxi holds the stories of millennium-old caravans!** - **📜 Xingjiao Temple, the ancient stage, Yujin Bridge… every brick in Shaxi tells a story of history!** - **🎭 Bai ethnic group's Bawangbian dance and Dongjing ancient music, encounter the most authentic folk customs in Shaxi!** - **🖋️ The Pioneer Shaxi Bai Bookstore, with 40,000 books and the aroma of coffee, is a paradise for literary and artistic youth!** ### **3. Slow Living & Soul Healing** - **☕ Daydream in a mountainside cafe, in Shaxi's afternoon, even the wind is lazy…** - **🏡 Stay in a century-old house, listen to the rain and boil tea, this is the true "hermit" life!** - **🌌 Shaxi's night has no neon lights, only starry skies and the chirping of insects, healing all anxieties!** - **🚶‍♂️ Stroll along the bluestone roads, encounter cats basking in the sun, Shaxi's slow pace makes people want to settle down!** ### **4. Niche Experiences & In-depth Exploration** - **🍄 Mushroom picking in the rainy season, matsutake stewed chicken, Shaxi's wild delicacies are unforgettable!** - **🐎 Ride a horse along the Tea Horse Road and listen to the elders of the Bai ethnic group tell the legends of the caravans!** - **🎨 Jiama woodblock printing, fresh flower cake DIY, Shaxi's handmade experiences are more interesting than internet-famous shops!** - **📸 Spring plowing in Hualong Village, rapeseed flower fields, every shot is a National Geographic masterpiece!** ### **5. Emotional Resonance & Travel Call to Action** - **"Shaxi, once is never enough! Half poetic, half earthly!"** - **"In Shaxi, I found a slower pace of life that is more healing than Dali!"** - **"If Yunnan has a paradise, it must be Shaxi!"**

Stop working and go to a windy place 🏡The core location of the ancient town: 📍Banxi Mingyue B&B is located at No. 11 Sideng Street, Shaxi Ancient Town It is only 220 meters away from the center of the ancient town and only 3 minutes' walk to Yujin Bridge, making travel very convenient. 🎈There are many attractions around: The hotel is close to Bailongtan, Shibaoshan, Qianshishan, Jianchuan Ancient City and other scenic spots. It is only a 0.5-1 hour drive, making it convenient for tourists to visit surrounding attractions. 🏘️ Overall style coordination: The renovation of the B&B took more than a year, integrating local characteristics with modern design. Both the architectural appearance and interior decoration show a unique charm, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere, and any shot you take will be a blockbuster. Attention to details: From indoor furniture placement and lighting design to outdoor landscape layout, every detail has been carefully crafted, reflecting the pursuit of quality and care for guests, bringing guests the ultimate visual enjoyment and living experience. ✨Free trial activities: The homestay provides guests with breakfast, afternoon tea, goodnight sweet soup, etc. It also organizes activities such as Jiama making, allowing guests to deeply experience local cultural customs. In addition, the homestay also provides free laundry service, which is really considerate.