[Yunnan · Shaxi Ancient Town] A place that is just perfectly slow

If you are tired of crowded ancient cities, try heading deeper into Yunnan to "Shaxi Ancient Town." Here, there are no noisy commercial streets, only bluestone paths, century-old houses, and cats lazily basking in the sunlight. In the morning, enjoy a cup of coffee by Yujin Bridge while watching Bai elders push small stalls selling fried dough cakes; in the afternoon, sit in a teahouse on Sideng Street and daydream while listening to the wind passing through the wooden carvings of the ancient stage. Shaxi was once an important post on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, but now it has become a place where time is most willing to pause. At night, the ancient town is so quiet that you can only hear the sound of the creek, making it perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle and rediscover the rhythm of life.

✨Tips:
•📍Recommended stay: 2 days and 1 night, slow travel during the day, and quietly enjoy the starry sky at night for the best experience.
•🍜Must-eat: Shaxi tofu feast, Bai-style sour and spicy fish.
•🏠Accommodation: Choose inns renovated from old houses to experience the authentic ancient town atmosphere.
•📸Photo spots: Yujin Bridge, ancient stage, Shaxi White Pagoda.
•🚗Transportation: You can charter a car from Dali, about 2.5 hours away.

There aren’t many "must-visit attractions" here because the whole of Shaxi is a journey that teaches you to "slow down."

Post by Jacques Predovic MD | Oct 17, 2025