Xizhou Ancient Town (喜洲古镇), located in Dali, is nestled between the eastern shores of Erhai Lake and the western slopes of Cangshan Mountain. It stands as an important settlement for the Bai ethnic group in the Dali region, attracting numerous tourists with its unique historical heritage, rich cultural significance, and stunning natural scenery.
The history of Xizhou Ancient Town can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty when it was part of the Nanzhao Kingdom. During the Song Dynasty, Xizhou became a part of the Dali Kingdom and served as a significant node along the Ancient Tea Horse Road, fostering prosperity in trade and frequent cultural exchanges. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Xizhou Ancient Town flourished as a vital market for commerce, attracting wealthy Bai merchants to settle and engage in trade, leaving behind numerous exquisite ancient buildings and distinctive cultural heritage.
The architecture within the ancient town boasts a unique style, predominantly showcasing Bai ethnic architecture. The residential buildings are intricately crafted, adorned with carved beams, painted rafters, overlapping brackets, upturned eaves, as well as colorful decorative arts on gateways, screen walls, and mountain walls, fully reflecting the architectural prowess and artistic creativity of the Bai people. Among them, the Yan’s Compound Museum is a representative structure, constructed during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, featuring the typical layout of “three sections with one screen wall, five courtyards with four-side walls,” serving as a microcosm of the traditional Bai residential architecture in Xizhou Ancient Town.
Moreover, Xizhou Ancient Town offers a wealth of cultural experiences. In spring, visitors can enjoy vast fields of rapeseed flowers, while autumn presents picturesque views of rice paddies. The Bai Workshop Museum integrates over twenty local crafts, including Bai ethnic fabric dyeing, silverwork, leatherwork, copperware, folk clay sculpture, earthenware roof tiles, and wood carving, showcasing the beauty of integrating Dali’s intangible cultural heritage with contemporary art. The Harvest Museum provides insights into agricultural culture, exhibiting agricultural tools from the farming era and showcasing the relationship between land and people, allowing visitors to deeply experience the agricultural heritage.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | The town is free, but you need to buy tickets for the various attractions |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0872-2453966 |
Location and Transportation
Xizhou Ancient Town is located approximately 18 kilometers north of Dali Ancient City in Dali City, Yunnan Province, China. It is situated along the eastern shores of Erhai Lake and nestled against the western slopes of Cangshan Mountain.
To reach Xizhou Ancient Town from Dali Ancient City or Xiaguan, travelers can take a minibus bound for Xizhou. These minibuses can be found at Dali Ancient City or Xiaguan and operate along the Dian-Zang Highway. Simply flag down one of these minibuses, and they will stop to pick up passengers along the way.
