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.
This little town is perfect for an afternoon stroll. The sun shines down on the lush green rice fields. Although there are no waves of wheat or rapeseed flowers swaying in the wind, the view still feels quite expansive. The weather is simply wonderful, the people around me are friendly, and my mood is great!
Came at the wrong time, no wheat fields!
March / Green wheat fields
April / Green wheat fields turning yellow
End of April / Golden wheat fields
June / Harvest time
July-August / Green wheat fields
September-October / Golden wheat fields
In Dali, time really seems to slow down. Instead of visiting popular spots, I just strolled around, took photos, and enjoyed some rice noodles. As a person from Kunming, I recommend the crossing-the-bridge rice noodles at Sifang Street, which is called Nanzhao Kingdom (南诏国). Personally, I think it’s the tastiest I’ve ever had. Regarding Xizhou Baba, I personally don’t recommend the ones that cost 15 yuan each. Although the seller claims they are made using traditional methods, these are not… Read more »
Xizhou Ancient Town and Dali Ancient Town have bus services available.
After leaving Xizhou, just follow the signs.
I recommend visiting in the summer for a cool getaway. The sky is beautiful, and you’ll also see the wheat fields.
When I visited, the wheat fields had already been harvested, so the scenery wasn’t as beautiful. However, there is a small train you can take.
Xizhou Ancient Town is much more enjoyable to explore than Dali Ancient Town. In the ancient town, many of the stalls selling goods are run by local elderly gentlemen and ladies, who wear traditional ethnic clothing. The prices are very reasonable and they don’t inflate them. It’s a great place to eat, have fun, and stroll around.
I finally understand why so many people come to Xizhou to see the waves of rice in the wind. After wandering around the bustling and crowded ancient town for half a day, suddenly encountering the expansive rice fields creates a striking contrast that truly captivates the eye.
In July, there were too many tourists in Xizhou. The famous wheat fields were crowded with people, and the wheat was sparse, making it difficult to take good photos. We hired a yellow motor tricycle and negotiated with the driver, who took us around the ancient town for 35 yuan. He showed us beautiful spots, and we were able to get off the tricycle to take photos whenever we wanted. It was definitely worth it.
Crowded and narrow roads, two shopping streets, can be covered in 2 hours. If you enjoy bustling crowds, you can visit Xizhou Ancient Town. Transportation From Xizhou Ancient Town to Dali Ancient Town: Minibuses run until 9 p.m. Take a bus before 6 p.m. at the Visitor Center, and after 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Zhenyi Gate. Tips ⚠️ 1️⃣ Personally, I feel these ancient towns are more atmospheric when there are fewer people. If you have time, perhaps… Read more »