Baoshan Stone Village (宝山石头城) is nestled within the Jinsha River Gorge, northeast of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, covering an area of approximately 0.5 square kilometers. Built atop a natural mushroom-shaped rock formation, it derives its name from the surrounding terrain and is known as “Shitou Cheng” in Mandarin, or “La Bor Lu Pan Wu” in the Naxi language, meaning “Baoshan White Stone Fortress.”
Situated with the Jinsha River to the east, the Maoniu Ridge to the west, the Taizi Pass to the north, and the Yanke Du to the south, Baoshan Stone Village is encircled by terraced fields, forming a strategic location characterized by “three mountains as a screen, facing the river on one side.” Its southeastern, southwestern, and northwestern sides are sheer cliffs, while the eastern side descends steeply to the Jinsha River, with only two stone gates providing access.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Layout of Baoshan Stone Village
- Lengend about Baoshan Stone Village
- Vlog about Baoshan Stone Village
- Other Attractions in Lijiang Suburbs
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
Location and Transportation
Baoshan Stone Village is located in Baoshan Township, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China. Situated within the Jinsha River Gorge northeast of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it’s accessible by road from Lijiang City. There are no direct buses from Lijiang to Baoshan Stone Village, so travelers typically need to arrange transportation with a local driver in advance. The journey takes approximately 4 and a half hours by car, offering travelers the chance to enjoy scenic views along the way.
Layout of Baoshan Stone Village
The village consists of an inner and outer city. The dwellings within the inner city are typical examples of Naxi wooden beam and tile houses, representing the transition of the Naxi people from a nomadic to a settled lifestyle. Founded during the Yuan Dynasty (1264-1294), it served as a migration point for the descendants of the ancient Qiang people moving southward across Sichuan into Yunnan. Additionally, it was the first settlement of the Shu You ethnic group in Yunnan. Initially, only the inner city, located on the cliff, was inhabited due to the sparse population.
In the 1920s, to defend against bandits, residents fortified the settlement by adding walls, gates, watchtowers, cannons, and emergency escape routes, transforming it into a fortified village with comprehensive defense works. As the population grew and the village expanded, the development of the settlement was restricted by the inner city’s cliff sides. This led to a radial expansion pattern, with the inner and outer cities complementing each other.
Lengend about Baoshan Stone Village
The origin of the name “Stone Village” is shrouded in legend. According to one tale, during the Tang Dynasty, seven brothers of the Maoshis (Naxi people) journeyed here, each settling on a different hill, forming a village alliance centered around Baoshan Stone Village. Another legend recounts the emergence of a giant dragon on the west bank of the Jinsha River. The ruler of the Jade Dragon Mountain, Mutianwang, battled the dragon, eventually severing it into two parts. The head of the dragon turned into a giant stone, while its body formed the mountains. The ancestors of Stone Village settled and thrived on this giant stone, a tradition that continues to this day.
Baoshan Stone City – Taiziguan Hiking Route Round Trip Total distance: 26 km, Duration: 10 hours The Jinsha River looks incredibly stunning at this time of year. Two-day, one-night itinerary: Day 1: Depart Lijiang at 9:30 AM, arriving at Stone City in 3.5 hours. Arrive early enough to explore Stone City, and spend the night there. Day 2: Depart from Stone City at 8:00 AM to start hiking. Along the way, you’ll see the Jinsha River and the steep Tiger… Read more »
The entire village was designated as a cultural heritage site in 1980s, boasting a history of over a thousand years. About a hundred households are built on a mushroom-shaped rock, flanked by cliffs on three sides and a slope leading down to the Jinshajiang River. You can see the Naxi script here. Due to the extremely inconvenient transportation, vehicles can only reach the entrance of the village.
Transportation Guide – Bus: There are private minibuses at the intersection near Black Dragon Park Park in Lijiang. The ticket price is around 50 RMB, with departures from 8:00 to 8:30 AM. The journey takes approximately 3 hours. – Self-Driving: You can navigate directly to Stone City or hire a car for a direct trip from Lijiang. – By Boat: Take a bus from Lijiang to Ahai Power Station (阿海电站), and then ride a boat to Shitou City. The boat… Read more »
The Stone City is about 130 kilometers away from Lijiang, which takes roughly three hours to drive. The route is primarily mountainous, and part of the road is under construction, making the conditions very poor, which can damage your vehicle and pose risks. It is not recommended to drive yourself; if possible, you could hire a car, or you can take a bus from the Lijiang bus station. I suggest allocating three days for this trip. On the first day,… Read more »
Stone Village is a great place for simply zoning out. The transportation isn’t very convenient, so there aren’t many people here. Like most villages, the younger generation has gone out to work and earn money, leaving behind some elderly villagers to look after the town.
Baoshan Stone Village is the least commercially developed tourist village I have seen in the past decade. During my three-day stay, I encountered fewer than ten other tourists. The village is tucked away at the edge of Lijiang and takes over four hours to drive there. It is built against the mountains, with no roads or markets in the village; even motorcycles cannot get in, and everything relies on mules and donkeys for transport. The villagers are incredibly genuine, kind,… Read more »
Standing on the city wall of Stone City, I looked down at the roaring Jinsha River. The river surged through the canyon, showcasing its magnificent momentum.
Many villagers have transformed their own courtyards into homestays, all of which have the ability to accommodate guests. Due to the peak tourist season, accommodations are also nearing their limit, so it is recommended to make reservations in advance.
Currently, the village is almost non-commercialized, with only over 10 guesthouses and 2 small stores, making it particularly primitive and pure. The village has a higher proportion of older residents, and every night in the central square, residents gather to dance the Naxi ethnic square dance. Visitors can also join in, holding hands and singing and dancing together, creating a super amazing atmosphere!