Written by Ivy Dong |
Dali city in Yunnan is a place with rich historical heritage, local ethnic minority culture, and stunning natural landscapes. There’re plenty of Dali attractions worth visiting, from ancient towns, ethnic villages, to beautiful lakes and mountains. In this article, we would like to recommend you a destination that is not as famous among visitors but is definitely worth your time, Shibao Mountain in Jianchuan County.
Dali locals love Shibao Mountain mostly for two things, its national wonders and ancient Buddhist sites. You’ll be amazed at the Danxia landforms, a geological sight unique to China. There’re also ancient temple clusters and grottoes housing hundreds of Buddhist carvings. When you travel to Dali, you’ll find Shibao Mountain a hidden gem not yet discovered by many tourists.
Fast Facts about Shibao Mountain
- Location: 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) southwest of Jianchuan County, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
- Opening time: 8am-6pm
- Ticket price: CNY45; CNY 40 for round-trip sightseeing bus
- Recommended visit time: Half a day
- Best time to visit: All year round, especially spring and fall
- Suited to: Anyone interested to see Danxia landform and ancient Buddhist sites
What to See and Do at Shibao Mountain
Explore Shizhong Mountain Grottoes
The Shizhong Mountain Grottoes of Shibao Mountain are known as the “Southwest Dunhuang” and the “Gem of South Yunnan.” Built by ancient Bai People in Tang and Song dynasties, the grottoes contain 16 caves and 139 sculptures (as we know of so far). The sculptures depict a wide range of subjects, including Buddhist figures, political life of Dali Kingdom at the time, and people from other Asian countries.
The sculptures are vivid and creative. The artists used their imaginations while adhering to Buddhist teachings. These sculptures are not only important treasures of Chinese stone carving art, but also part of the Buddhist heritage in China. It is a must-visit site on your Yunnan tour to Dali.
Admire the Amazing Danxia Landform
Shibao Mountain is one of the places in China where you can witness the unique Danxia landform. After millions of years of weathering, the red sandstone peaks and rocks of the mountain have taken on strange shapes. As if sculpted by nature herself, they appear in shapes of objects and animals like elephants, lions, and arrows.
Walk about Haiyunju Ancient Temple
Haiyunju was first built in late Ming and early Qing Dynasty. It is the first temple structure you’ll encounter going into Shibao Mountain. Hidden in the ancient forest, the area appears removed from the rest of the world. It is peaceful and tranquil. The stone steps will lead you to an ancient bell that once tolled in the mountain.
Marvel at the Hanging Baoxiang Temple
Shibao Mountain is home to Baoxiang Temple, the “Hanging Temple of Yunnan.” Built in late Yuan and early Ming Dynasty, it sits on a steep cliff next to a waterfall. A set of stone steps will lead you up to the temple where you can admire traditional Buddhist architecture and the ancient wisdom of the locals. You’ll also see many wild monkeys who have found a home on the temple grounds.
Best Time to Visit Shibao Mountain
Shibao Mountain and Dali are suitable for visit all year round because of the mild climate of Yunnan. But the best time to travel to Dali is in spring and autumn, from March to May and September to November. During these months, Dali weather is ideal for going outdoors to Shibao Mountain with plenty of sunshine, fresh air, and little rainfall.
How to Get to Shibao Mountain
Getting to Dali, Yunnan
There’re two major ways to get to Dali, Yunnan, by flight and by train.
If you’re traveling to Yunnan directly from your home country, your best option is to fly into Kunming Changshui International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Yunnan. Then take a high-speed train to Dali. Dali Huangcaoba Airport, or Dali Fengyi Airport, is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Dali city center. It offers flights to and from many major Chinese cities.
You can also take a train to Dali Railway Station from other cities in China like Kunming, Chongqing, Guiyang, and Chengdu.
Getting to Shibao Mountain
Shibao Mountain is about 140 km (87 miles) from Dali. Because it’s still relatively underdeveloped for tourism, there’s little public transportation. The easiest way to get to Shibao Mountain is to hire a private car from Dali. Or you can head to Shaxi Ancient Town first, then take a local bus there.
Dali Attractions nearby Shibao Mountain
Shaxi Ancient Town is about 18 km (11 miles) away from Shibao Mountain. With over 2,400 years of history, it is home to many ancient temples, Bai residences, ancient theaters, and shops.
Erhai Lake is the most well-known landmark of Dali. It’s the best place to relax yourself and experience the life of a local.
Cangshan Mountain is a magnificent mountain range with many peaks and streams. You can hike up there to see temples, waterfalls, wildflowers, forests, and many rare plants and animals.
Our Top Recommended Yunnan Dali Tours
- 3 Days Dali Tour Package with Memorable Experience
- 6 Days Dali Lijiang Tour with Ancient Tea Horse Road Adventure
- 8 Days Classic Yunnan Minority Tour of Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangri-La
We can help you with a customized tour to Shibao Mountain and other places in China.
