Yunnan Travel | Dali in Winter: How to Explore Xizhou Ancient Town

This Bai ethnic town with a history of over 1,000 years is located by Erhai Lake at the foot of Baihua Stream. Surrounded by mountains and water, the town is a miracle of the wind, flowers, snow, and moon. It was once a major town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, with a palace built for the Nanzhao King. In history, it was home to famous merchants, magnificent mansions, and countless stories and legends of famous people. Xizhou is a major settlement of the Bai ethnic group, with unique Bai-style residential buildings. "Three rooms and one screen wall" and "four courtyards and five patios" are the most typical courtyard layouts of Bai architecture. The most typical Yan Family Mansion was built by Yan Zizhen, the richest man in Xizhou at the time, in the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1906). Despite nearly a century of wind and rain, it is still well-preserved and is the most representative Bai-style mansion in Xizhou. Other check-in points: 1. Roadside Picnic Coffee Gallery: A coffee shop in a large rice field hut, with poetry written all over it. A casual photo looks like an art film. 2. Rice Field Orange Wall: The most photogenic place in the ancient town, with a large rice field and a characteristic orange wall. It's a great place to sit and relax. 3. Xitang: A coffee shop in the ancient town, with a gray brick wall and black Xizhou characters that are very stylish. 4. Chuntang Restaurant: A coffee shop and restaurant with an amazing view. If you have time, be sure to stop by. It's the most beautiful window in Xizhou, with a rice field train outside. 5. Windy Tree: The same tree that made Xu Hongdou cry, reminiscent of "Meet Yourself". The big banyan tree is very impressive! 6. Wheatfield Coffee: Near the Wheatfield Coffee parking lot, with colorful Xizhou characters on a blue background, giving a youthful and energetic vibe. 7. Corner Building: A landmark building in Xizhou Ancient Town, with a wooden retro attic at the corner. It's very crowded, so come early if you want to take photos. Recommended itinerary Zhengyi Gate - Yan Family Mansion - Woodcarving Heritage - Sanshui and Bai - Xizhou Old Street - Jiaqiangji - Xiqiang (next to Dong Jinhan Courtyard) - Corner Building - Xitang - Rice Field Train Track - Chuntang - Big Banyan Tree Practical information 🚌Transportation: Dali Ancient Town - Xizhou/Zhou Town 1. Outbound: Take a bus to Xizhou at Cangshan Gate (opposite March Street). Ask if it goes to Xizhou/Zhou Town. The fare is CNY 7 per person, or CNY 10 on holidays. 2. Return: Take a bus at Zhengyi Gate in Xizhou Ancient Town (see picture 3). In Zhou Town, stop a bus on the main street outside the market (no fixed stop) and ask if it goes back to Dali Ancient Town. 🍕Food: 1. Xizhou Baba 2. Crispy Baba 3. Three-Course Tea 4. Ersi: A specialty of Dali, with a soft and glutinous texture, and very delicious with various seasonings.