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 (Shibaoshan / 石宝山), also known as Stone Treasure 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—including the famed Shizhongshan Grottoes (石钟山石窟)—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 & GPS Navigation: Shibao Mountain (Shibaoshan)
- Chinese Name: 石宝山 (Shí bǎo shān / Shibaoshan)
- Location: 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) southwest of Jianchuan County, 18 km north of Shaxi, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
- Elevation / Altitude: ~2,100 to 2,500 meters (6,890 – 8,200 feet) above sea level
- Opening Time: 08:00 – 18:00 (Ticket office closes at 16:30)
- Ticket Price: CNY 45 for park entry; CNY 40 for obligatory round-trip sightseeing shuttle bus
- Recommended Visit Time: Half a day (3 – 4 hours)
- Best Time to Visit: All year round, especially spring and fall; late August for the annual Bai Song Festival
- Suited To: Anyone interested to see Danxia landforms, ancient stone carvings, and mountain temples
🗺️ Key Spot GPS Navigation Coordinates (for Didi / Maps):
Landmark |
GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
Shibao Mountain Main Gate & Ticket Office |
26.3682° N, 99.8351° E |
Shizhongshan Grottoes Entrance (石钟山石窟) |
26.3615° N, 99.8410° E |
Baoxiang Temple / Hanging Temple (宝相寺) |
26.3720° N, 99.8315° E |
🛕 Hanging Baoxiang Temple
🏔️ Red Danxia Sandstone
🐒 Wild Tibetan Macaques
📖 Content Preview
What to See and Do at Shibao Mountain
1. Explore Shizhong Mountain Grottoes (Shizhongshan 石钟山石窟)
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 (during the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms), the grottoes contain 16 caves and 139 sculptures (as we know of so far) scattered across three main sites: Shizhongsi, Lion Guan, and Ahluo Guan. The sculptures depict a wide range of subjects, including Buddhist figures like Acuoye Guanyin, political life of the Dali Kingdom at the time (such as King Geluofeng), and merchants 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 unique Buddhist heritage in China. It is a must-visit site on your Yunnan tour to Dali.
2. Admire the Amazing Danxia Landforms
Shibao Mountain is one of the places in China where you can witness the unique Danxia landforms. 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 Elephant Rock, Lion Ravine, and Turtle Rock.
3. 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 red cliff next to a waterfall. A set of stone steps carved directly into the mountain 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 a resident troop of wild Tibetan macaque monkeys who have found a home on the temple grounds and upper terraces.
4. 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 of cypress and pine trees, the area appears removed from the rest of the world. It is peaceful and tranquil. The stone steps will lead you to an ancient bronze bell that once tolled in the main pavilion.
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.
Every late August or early September (from the 26th day of the 7th lunar month to the 1st day of the 8th lunar month), the annual Shibao Mountain Song Festival is held. Thousands of local Bai youth dress up in ethnic costumes to sing antiphonal love duets accompanied by the Sanxian (a three-stringed lute) in forest clearings—a tradition over 1,000 years old!
How to Get to Shibao Mountain
Getting to Dali, Yunnan
Most travelers reach Dali, Yunnan by high-speed bullet train or regional flights:
- By Air: If flying internationally, arrive at Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG), then take a 2-hour high-speed train to Dali. Alternatively, fly directly into Dali Fengyi Airport (DLU) from major cities like Chengdu, Chongqing, or Guangzhou.
- By Train: High-speed trains run frequently to Dali Railway Station from Kunming (2 hrs), Chengdu (6 hrs), and Guiyang (4 hrs)
Getting to Shibao Mountain
Shibao Mountain is about 140 km (87 miles) from Dali and 18 km (11 miles) north of Shaxi Ancient Town. Because public transportation is limited, hiring a private car or taking a local bus via Shaxi are the most convenient choices:
Starting Point |
Transport Method |
Distance |
Travel Time |
Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
From Shaxi Ancient Town |
Private taxi or local green minivan from Shaxi South Gate. |
18 km |
~25–30 mins |
CNY 50 – 80 per car |
From Dali Old Town |
Direct private vehicle hire OR bus to Jianchuan County station, then local minibus. |
140 km |
~2 to 2.5 hours |
CNY 350 – 450 (Private car); Bus: ~CNY 50/person |
Inside Scenic Area |
Mandatory sightseeing shuttle bus connecting Main Gate, Baoxiang Temple, and Shizhongshan Grottoes. |
N/A |
10–15 mins ride |
CNY 40 round-trip ticket |
Practical Travel & Safety Tips for Shibao Mountain
- Wild Monkey Caution: The Tibetan macaques along the steps to Baoxiang Temple can snatch visible food, snacks, water bottles, or plastic bags. Keep loose items secured inside a zipped daypack, avoid eye contact, and do not attempt to feed them.
- Footwear: Walking through Shizhongshan Grottoes and up the stone steps to Baoxiang Temple involves climbing several hundred stairs. Wear comfortable walking shoes or sneakers.
- Sun Protection: Shibao Mountain sits between 2,100m and 2,500m above sea level. UV radiation is strong; bring high-factor sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
- Combine with Shaxi: Since Shibao Mountain is only a 25-minute car ride from Shaxi, the best itinerary is to take a morning or afternoon trip to the mountain and stay overnight in Shaxi Ancient Town.
Dali Attractions nearby Shibao Mountain
- Shaxi Ancient Town is about 15 km (9.3 miles) away from Shibao Mountain. With over 2,400 years of history, it is home to many ancient temples, Bai residences, ancient theaters, shops, and the famous Friday morning market.
- Erhai Lake sits roughly 130 km (81 miles) from Shibao Mountain. As Yunnan’s second-largest freshwater highland lake, it features winding cycling shorelines, wetland parks, and authentic Bai fishing villages dotted along its banks.
- Cangshan Mountain is approximately 125 km (78 miles) from Shibao Mountain. This 19-peak UNESCO Global Geopark boasts waterfalls, wild azalea forests, ancient temples, and the flat Jade Belt hiking trail with panoramic lake views.
- Dali Ancient Town lies about 120 (75 miles) km southeast of Shibao Mountain. Once the royal capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, it preserves intact ancient city walls, Bai-style courtyards, and bustling cultural pedestrian streets.
- Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple is around 120 km (75 miles) from Shibao Mountain. Dali’s iconic Tang-Dynasty Buddhist landmark with grand ancient pagodas and quiet temple grounds full of historical relics.
- Xizhou Ancient Town is about 100 km (62 miles) from Shibao Mountain. Known as the “Museum of Bai Architecture”, it boasts well-preserved Ming & Qing Bai courtyards, lively morning local markets and signature Xizhou Baba snacks.
- Zhoucheng Village sits roughly 95 km (59 miles) from Shibao Mountain. A quiet ancient Bai village famous for thousand-year traditional tie-dye intangible cultural heritage and rural pastoral scenery.
- Shuanglang Village is around 95 km (59 miles) northeast of Shibao Mountain. A scenic lakeside hamlet on Erhai’s east bank, famous for unobstructed mountain-lake sunset views and stylish lakeside boutique homestays.
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, complete with private vehicle transfers, English-speaking guides, and handpicked hotels in Shaxi.
FAQs about Shibao Mountain (Shibaoshan)
What is Shibao Mountain (Shibaoshan) famous for?
Shibao Mountain (石宝山) is famous for the 1,300-year-old Shizhongshan Grottoes (“Southwest Dunhuang”), the cliff-hanging Baoxiang Temple, red Danxia sandstone formations, and the annual Bai Song Festival.
How far is Shibao Mountain from Shaxi Ancient Town and Dali?
Shibao Mountain is 15 km (9.3 miles) north of Shaxi Ancient Town (a 25–30 minute drive) and 120 km (75 miles) northwest of Dali Old Town (a 2 to 2.5 hour drive).
What is the elevation / altitude of Shibao Mountain?
Shibao Mountain sits at an elevation between 2,100 meters and 2,500 meters (6,890 to 8,200 feet) above sea level. Altitude sickness is extremely rare at this height.
Are the wild monkeys at Baoxiang Temple dangerous?
The macaques at Baoxiang Temple are accustomed to visitors but will grab visible food, water bottles, or plastic bags. Keep all snacks inside a zipped backpack while climbing the temple stairs.
