August in Shaxi is truly beautiful

1. August Weather and Clothing Suggestions

• Temperature: 15-29°C, with a large temperature difference between day and night. Short sleeves and sunscreen during the day, and a light jacket needed in the early morning and evening.

• Precipitation: August is the end of the rainy season, with frequent light rain or showers. Be sure to bring a raincoat/folding umbrella and non-slip shoes.

• UV Rays: Strong ultraviolet rays on the plateau, sunscreen SPF50+, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats are all essential.

2. How to Get There
1. From other provinces → Dali/Lijiang: Fly or take high-speed rail to Kunming, then transfer to a 2-hour high-speed train to Dali or a 1-hour flight to Lijiang.
2. Dali → Shaxi:

‑ Most convenient: Carpool or chartered car from Dali Ancient Town, 2 hours direct (one way about 120-150 RMB/car).

‑ Budget option: Bus from Dali East Bus Station to Jianchuan County, 1.5 hours; then transfer to a minibus at Jianchuan station for 40 minutes to Shaxi (total about 3 hours).
3. Lijiang → Shaxi: Chartered car 2 hours; or from Lijiang Bus Station to Jianchuan then transfer to minibus, total about 2.5 hours.

3. Transportation Inside the Ancient Town

• Motor vehicles are prohibited in the core area of the ancient town. Rolling suitcases on stone-paved roads is inconvenient, so it is recommended to stay near the outer parking lots or arrange for the guesthouse to provide pick-up and drop-off.

• It takes 15 minutes on foot to walk from Sideng Street to Yujin Bridge; you can also rent a bike for 20 RMB/day to ride along the Heihui River.

4. Must-Visit Spots
1. Yujin Bridge: Best photos at morning mist and sunset reflections, fewer people before 8:00 am; during low tide, you can go down to the river to shoot the "round arch bridge hole."
2. Sideng Street & Sifang Street: Friday market (live display of horse caravan culture), busiest from 3-5 pm.
3. Xingjiao Temple & Ancient Opera Stage: Yuan Dynasty ancient buildings; in the morning, you can listen for free to rehearsals of ancient music and scriptures on the opera stage.
4. Pioneer Shaxi Bookstore: One of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, with a third-floor terrace overlooking the ancient town, where you can get the "Windy Place" commemorative stamp.
5. Heihui River Meadow: The swing featured by Liu Yifei is still there; the meadow is greener after rain, perfect for picnics and photos.

5. Sample Itinerary (2 days 1 night)

Day 1

09:00 Depart from Dali → 11:30 Arrive in Shaxi for lunch (recommended "Mint Coffee" hand drip + beef burger)

13:00 Check-in → 14:00 Explore Sideng Street, Xingjiao Temple → 15:30 Read poetry and drink coffee at Pioneer Bookstore

17:30 Wait for sunset at Yujin Bridge → 19:00 Bonfire party/folk music bar at Sifang Street

Day 2

06:30 Morning mist cycling along Heihui River → 08:00 Breakfast with Xizhou Baba → 09:00 Light hiking in nearby villages (Duanjiadeng/Hualong Village)

11:30 Return to Dali/Lijiang, optionally stop by Jianchuan Qianshishan (half-hour drive).

6. Accommodation Recommendations

• Inside the ancient town:

‑ Youfeng Courtyard Guesthouse (original model in the drama, book at least half a month in advance)

‑ Shaxi Qingjing Lanshan, Japanese-style courtyard, great for kimono photoshoots

• Outside the ancient town:

‑ Guesthouses at the foot of Shibao Mountain, convenient parking, stargazing, average price 300-500 RMB/night

7. Special Experiences in August

• Friday Market: The last living market of the Tea Horse Road, with fragrant melons and fruits in August, and fresh matsutake mushrooms and earth ginseng to try.

• Post-rain "Sea of Clouds Terraces": Behind Shibao Mountain (20 minutes by car from the ancient town), clouds and mist swirl around the terraces like a fairyland.

• Torch Festival Afterglow: If you encounter the end of the Bai Torch Festival (early August), you can join the bonfire dancing.

8. Pitfalls & Tips
1. Occasional landslides on mountain roads during the rainy season; confirm road conditions with the guesthouse owner before departure.
2. No ATMs in the ancient town; bring at least 300 RMB in cash, some guesthouses only accept WeChat/Alipay.
3. Respect Bai customs: remove hats when entering temples, do not step on door thresholds; ask for permission before photographing elders.
4. Sunscreen + Moisturizing: The plateau and post-rain evaporation are fast; face masks and lip balm are essential.

Summary in One Sentence

August in Shaxi is a dream of the Tea Horse Road in mist and rain—few people, fairy-like scenery, low prices. Just bring an umbrella, a camera, and a heart ready to slow down.