Wilder than Dali Old Town, more primitive than Shaxi! Xizhou is Yunnan's last Bai ethnic secret!

🌟 Xizhou Ancient Town: A Timeless Haven of Bai Culture in Dali | Complete Travel Guide

◎ Location & Transportation

Located 18km north of Dali Old Town, nestled between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, Xizhou is a living museum of Bai culture.

• From Dali: Take a minibus (10 RMB/person) or taxi (~40 RMB) from the old town to Zhengyi Gate (30 mins).

• External transport: From Dali Airport, take shuttle bus to downtown then transfer to Xizhou; from Dali Railway Station, taxi costs ~50 RMB.

◎ Tickets & Opening Hours

• Admission: Free entry! Core attractions require tickets: Yan Family Compound Museum (25 RMB adults, 12 RMB children).

• Opening: 24/7 for town; Yan Family Compound 08:30-17:30.

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⛩️ Must-See Attractions

1. Yan Family Compound Museum

◦ Highlights: Pinnacle of Bai architecture! Century-old complex featuring "Three Rooms One Screen Wall" layout with live Bai song/dance + Three-Course Tea ceremony.

◦ Tip: Afternoon performance starts at 14:00 - arrive early!

2. Sifang Street & Xizhou Baba Origin

◦ Highlights: Town center! Stone-paved lanes with elderly Bai vendors selling fresh baba (sweet/savory, 10 RMB each).

◦ Tip: Try "Fuxing Posu Baba" - famously flaky!

3. 500-Year-Old Banyan Tree & Zhengyi Gate

◦ Highlights: Western entrance gate leads to giant banyan (5-person circumference), featured in "Meet Yourself" drama - perfect for wishes.

4. Bai Residential Architecture

◦ Highlights: Wander alleys to discover Yan/Yang family compounds - carved walls, grey tiles, perfect for cultural photography.

5. Haishi Ecological Park (Free)

◦ Highlights: 2km from town, Erhai-formed peninsula with dead trees/wetlands. Bike or take horse cart (20 RMB/person).

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🍜 Food Guide

• Xizhou Baba: Crispy pastry with rose sugar/meat filling. Try "Suxiangyuan" at Sifang Street.

• Bai Three-Course Tea: Experience at Yan Compound (included in ticket) with performances.

• Rushan & Spicy Fish: Fried dairy rolls with sugar; Erhai fish cooked with plums.

• Qingliang Xiaowu: Artisanal ice cream - Pu'er tea flavor (9 RMB/scoop).

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🏠 Accommodation

• Town guesthouses:

◦ Linden Centre (Yang Pinxiang's mansion): 600+/night, heritage building + rice field views.

◦ Gujina No.28: 300+/night, Bai courtyard + mountain-view terrace.

• Lakeside hotels:

Miwan Qinglv (near Haishi): 500+/night, 270° lake views.

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📅 Itinerary

One-Day Highlights:

Zhengyi Gate → Banyan Tree → Sifang Street (baba) → Yan Compound (show) → Alley photography → Haishi cycling.

Two-Day Immersion:

• Day1: Town core (Yan Compound + tie-dye workshop) → Rice field café sunset → Stay at Linden.

• Day2: Morning market → Zhoucheng village tie-dye (intangible heritage) → Haishi picnic.

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💡 Tips

• Best seasons: Mar-May (rapeseed flowers), Sep-Nov (golden rice).

• Outfits: Light linen dresses + straw hats, pair with Bai indigo bags.

• Avoid:

✅ Yan Compound afternoon tea includes show - better value!

❌ Skip overpriced horse rides.

• Etiquette: Don't touch carvings/photo elders without permission.

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Xizhou's charm lingers in baba oven aromas, century-old wood grains, and fluttering indigo fabrics. Wilder than Wuzhen, quieter than Lijiang - it's "a pristine Bai ethnic fossil suspended in time".