Live Your Best Lives
Explore the stone-village architecture where houses, stairways, walls and even beds, tables, stoves are carved from rock; Walk through its narrow alleys and climb stone steps to enjoy panoramic views of the Jinsha River valley; Visit the irrigated terraced fields and observe how local Naxi villagers farm the land below the stone village; Hike trails around the village toward viewpoints and riverside, including descending toward the golden-colored river and terraces; Stay overnight in a local guesthouse to experience starlit skies and dawn views; Photograph sunrise, sunset, mist and the textures of stone structures.
Kasi Village is the entrance to Hell Valley and a must-see. Located southwest of Kasi Town, Changning County, Yunnan Province, it's home to a mixed population of Han and Bulang peoples. It boasts convenient transportation, including electricity, roads, television, and telephones. Farmers rely primarily on crop production for their income. While most tourists won't pass through here, if you're hiking into Yading, you'll definitely encounter this small village, a popular stop for hikers.
Plateau mountain climate;
Best time to visit in spring and autumn
free
All day
Baoshan Stone Village (宝山石头城) was built in the early Yuan dynasty, around 1264–1294. It sits atop a giant rock pillar along the Jinsha River valley, with cliffs on three sides and the river on the remaining side. It was once the seat of “Baoshan State / Baoshan Prefecture” under the old administrative divisions (丽江路所辖宝山州) In 1993, it was designated a Yunnan provincial-level protected site; in 2006 it became a national key cultural relic protection unit. As a traditional Naxi settlement, it uniquely preserves architectural and living techniques of stone carving, water management, and local customs in an extremely rugged location. It is also listed among the first batch of China’s traditional villages.
It is located in Baoshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province, more precisely in Kasi (卡斯 / Kasi) Township, Changning County under Baoshan administrative area. The village lies ~110 km north of Lijiang, in the Jinsha River valley, hidden in a rugged canyon. To reach it:
There is no widely reported fixed “opening hours” — being a remote village, access is more flexible, but visitors usually go during daylight. The best times to visit are spring (March–April) when blossoms, and autumn (September–October) when rice is golden, offering good visual contrast. Avoid heavy rainy season (June to early October) when roads become muddy and river water is murky.
I could not find confirmed recent information about an entrance fee exclusively for Baoshan Stone Village. Some tours including this site as part of a trek or route may include a local access fee. In past travel blogs, an approximate fee of ~¥190 was cited (for a route connecting to this area) — but it's unclear whether that's for just this village or a combined route. Tickets (if required) are usually purchased on site (offline) via local “entry station” or via your tour operator.
Because this is a remote, less commercialized site, you generally do not need to book far in advance. If included in a guided tour, the tour operator may handle permissions or entry scheduling. But if traveling independently, it is wise to notify local guides or lodging in advance, especially for overnight stays, to ensure someone is available and the path is passable.
Typically 2–4 hours is enough for exploring the core stone village and immediate surroundings. If hiking trails, descending to river, or staying overnight, you may spend half a day to a full day.
The internal stone staircases and alleys connecting houses; Stone-furniture (tables, beds, stoves, basins) carved from rock in situ; The vantage point overlooking the Jinsha River valley; The terraces of farmland below the village; The “north gate” and “south gate” entries (the village historically has just two access gates)
Formal audio guides are rarely mentioned, likely because it is a low-infrastructure site. Many visitors go via guided trekking tours that include storytelling in English or Chinese. A local guide (Chinese / bilingual) is advisable to help you navigate and understand local culture.
The top of the rock ridge where the village sits, looking down toward the river valley; From the external trail on the cliff side to capture the full façade of the stone village; Sunrise or sunset lighting casting shadows on the stone walls; The terraces beneath the village; Views looking down onto the village from the hillside across the canyon.
Enter via one gate (south or north), then follow the main stone stair alleys through the village; Reach the highest viewpoint inside the village; Walk to the outer rim path to view the valley; Descend (if safe) toward terraces and river, then return to the village; For those staying overnight, pause at sunset, enjoy evening quiet, and get up for sunrise views.
There is no known light show or formal night‐tour program. Overnight stay in guesthouses allows stargazing in this remote dark-sky location. Some guided itineraries may include night photography or cultural storytelling by locals.
It is relatively off the beaten path, so crowds are minimal compared to mainstream scenic spots. The least crowded times are weekdays outside peak tourist season; avoid national holidays. Early morning or late afternoon visits often see fewer people.
Basic facilities exist: simple toilets and rest spots in or near village. A few guesthouses/inns in the village provide meals (local home-style cooking). No large shops or commercial food courts; bring snacks, water, and essentials.
Access involves climbing steep stone stairs and uneven paths — not ideal for wheelchair or mobility-impaired visitors. Elderly or children with good fitness may manage with care. For those less mobile, stay in lower parts of village and avoid the steepest climbs.
Since this is a remote area, cash is safer and more reliably accepted. Some guesthouses may accept mobile payments (WeChat Pay / Alipay) if they are connected, but do not rely on it.
Inside the village, small local guesthouses provide meals (Naxi home cooking). No formal cafes; in nearby towns down valley there may be simple shops or eateries.
Food is typically local and may include meat; vegetarian options may be limited but possible (stir-fried vegetables, tofu). Halal options are unlikely unless prearranged or in larger nearby towns.
Basic guesthouses (inns) are available in the village itself — simple, rustic. For more comfort, one can stay in a larger town or in Lijiang and travel in for day trips.
The First Bend of the Yangtze (长江第一湾) viewpoint is often combined on routes in this region. Tiger Leaping Gorge treks and routes may pass nearby. Nearby villages, scenic river valleys, and terraces in the Jinsha River canyon region.
There may be small local shops in guesthouses selling handicrafts, local textiles, and small stone carvings. Typical souvenirs: Naxi ethnic crafts, stone-carved small items, embroidery, local herbal products.
Return by the same mountain road by car or minibus to the main highway. From nearby towns or villages, connect to buses toward Lijiang or onward destinations. If going further into Yunnan, you may continue toward Tengchong, Dali, or border routes to Myanmar via Baoshan.
