Zhoucheng Village of Dali: Experience Yunnan Minority Culture

Written by Catherine | Updated October 23,2025

Zhoucheng Village in Dali is a Bai ethnic village in Yunnan Province, China, located 23 km (14 miles) north of Dali Ancient Town. It is home to more than 1,500 Bai residents, making it the largest Bai village in Dali and China. The village quietly sits amongst Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain, and Butterfly Spring, has the most serene natural landscape.

Zhoucheng Village is most famously known as the “living fossil of Bai folk culture.” Ethnic customs such as weaving, embroidery, tie-dyeing, and the three-course tea have been handed down from generation to generation in this small village. Many people travel to Dali to witness the ingenuity of Bai folk arts.

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• Fast Facts about Zhoucheng Village
• What to See and Do in Zhoucheng Village
• Best Time to Visit Zhoucheng Village
• How to Get to Zhoucheng Village
• Dali Attractions nearby Zhoucheng Village
• FAQs about Zhouzhuang Village
• Plan a Dali Tour with Zhoucheng Village with China Xian Tour

Fast Facts about Zhoucheng Village

• Location: Zhoucheng Village, Xizhou Town, Dali, Yunnan Province, China
• Opening time: All day
• Ticket price: Free
• Recommended visit time: half a day
• Best time to visit: All year round, especially spring and fall
• Suited to: Anyone who is interested in ethnic minority culture and lifestyle

What to See and Do in Zhoucheng Village

Learn about Bai Tie-Dyeing Art

Zhoucheng Village has had a thriving textile industry since Tang Dynasty. Bai people consider their tie-dye art a gift of the beautiful nature surrounding them. A saying goes “Water streams down the 19 peaks of Cangshan Mountain into the 3,000 homes of Dali, each practicing their own weaving and dyeing.” Tie-dye is every child’s first gift, every bride’s wedding present, and the link between generations.

Bai tie-dye mainly focuses on indigo-dye using vegetations like isatis root and Lithospermum as natural dye. People first sew the design onto the white cloth and tie a series of knots to make certain patterns. They then put the cloth into the vat for repeated soaking and dyeing, during which different patterns are formed. Finally, they dry the cloth in their homes or near the streets.

Experience the Art at Puzhen Tie-Dye Workshop

In Zhoucheng Village, you can experience local tie-dyeing art for yourself. Puzhen Tie-Dye Workshop is a large local workshop with a long history. There’re three sections including an exhibition on the history and artifacts of tie-dye, a section for experiencing the process, and a section showcasing finished products.

You can be involved in the process yourself learning from local elders. Admire the beautiful blue fabrics drying in the wind while having a coffee in the sun. You can make a purchase to support the local community and bring them home as meaningful souvenirs of your Yunnan Dali trip.

• Good to Know:For the tie-dyeing experience, it will take about 1.5 – 2 hours for simple patterns, like a small handkerchief. The complex pattern and large item, such as a dress, may need 3 hours or even longer. The cost varies according to the size and complexity. Usually, a small item costs CNY 80 – 150 and a large one costs about CNY 150 – 300.

Appreciate Bai Architecture

There’s a saying that sums up Zhoucheng village nicely, “Stone walkways are paved in front of every house, and water flows before every door.” Traditional residential houses are connected by quiet alleyways. Life in Zhoucheng village is simple and authentic.

The liveliest part of the village is the old theater stage area. Built in 1895 in Qing Dynasty, its architecture is full of antique charm that reflects the rich culture of Bai people. The two large trees in front of the stage are the feng shui trees of Zhoucheng Village. Under them is the square where important public events take place. People gather there to celebrate festivals, to sing and dance, and put up markets.

Bai Architecture Materials and Features

During the tour, you will find the layout of most local residences is composed of three houses and one screen wall. The screen wall is built to keep out the wind and reflect the sunshine, so that the courtyard can be warmer and brighter. Dali is rich in stone material, so the local architecture is mostly constructed with stone. Sometimes, even the lintel uses a single piece of stone, making the whole building extremely sturdy. There is a common saying among local people that “Dali has three treasures: a wall built with stones will not fall.” The Bai architecture itself is an open art gallery. For the sake of beauty, the gate tower and screen wall are designed with many delicate decorations. And there are many vivid wood carvings on the lattice doors, window frames and beams.

Experience the Bai Three-Course Tea Ceremony (San Dao Cha)

The Bai Three-Course Tea is not just a tea drink. It consists of three cups of tea, and each one has a distinct flavor and symbolizes the three different stages of life.

The first one is a cup of bitter tea. It implies that “To establish a career, one must first endure hardships”. This tea is usually only served in half a cup, allowing guests to savor it in small sips. It tastes refreshing fragrant amid the bitterness. From this tea, you can feel the hardships of the beginning of life.

The second one is a cup of sweet tea. The brown sugar, unique sliced milky fan and other rich ingredients are added to the tea, enhancing a sweet flavor to it. Its symbolic meaning is “after suffering comes happiness”.

The third cup is called aftertaste tea. The recipe for this tea is particularly special, because it includes honey, Sichuan pepper, ginger slices, cinnamon and some other seasonings. So you can taste sweetness, sourness, bitterness and spiciness in this small cup of tea. It reminds people that after experiencing the ups and downs of life, they need to calm the mind and think about the true meaning of life.

Best Time to Visit Zhoucheng Village

The pleasant Yunnan weather makes it suitable for visits all year round. Zhoucheng Village is especially beautiful in spring and fall. In the spring, the vast rapeseed fields in the village are in full bloom. The tie-dye cloths are gorgeous against a sea of yellow flowers. And Dali in the fall has a lot of clear days with comfortable temperatures.

The best time of the day to visit is during 14:00 – 19:00. Around 15:00, the villagers will set up stalls one after another on the square or along the street, selling all kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits, local specialties, handcrafted fishing nets and gear, etc. At sunset, the stalls are closed gradually, the villagers gather on the square again to have a rest or chat with others. You will feel like experiencing the authentic local life if traveling during this period.

How to Get to Zhoucheng Village

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 Zhoucheng Village

The best way to get to Zhoucheng Village from is by taxi or private car which takes about an hour from the city center.

Dali Attractions nearby Zhoucheng Village

Dali Ancient Town is a historic town with rich minority culture. Take some time to explore the ancient city wall, historical landmark buildings, and the historic streets.

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.

Butterfly Spring is the gathering place of thousands of beautiful butterflies every spring. It is a gorgeous spot with natural sceneries and a romantic Bai legend.

FAQs about Zhouzhuang Village

Is there an entrance fee to walk around Zhoucheng Village?

No, there is no entrance fee, you can enter freely and visit throughout the day.

How long does the tie-dye workshop experience usually take?

The duration varies from 1.5 – 3 hours, depending on how complex your work is.

Can visitors buy tie-dye products directly from the Bai families?

Of course, you can buy it from villagers, formal dyeing workshops or street shops。

Is it necessary to hire a local guide to explore Zhoucheng Village?

It is not very necessary. The village is not big and the scenic spots are clearly marked. It is not hard to explore. Without a guide, you can arrange your pace at will and save more money to experience the local handicrafts. But if you are interested in the local culture, it is also a good choice to hire a local guide.

What is the significance of the “Three Houses and One Screen Wall” in Bai architecture?

The “Three Houses” refer to a main house and two side rooms, where the elders and the younger generations live, respectively. It symbolizes the familial hierarchy of respect for elders. And the functions of the Screen Wall are to prevent wind and reflect sunlight, making the room brighter and warmer. So the architecture shows the cultural connotation and wisdom of Bai people.

What other handicrafts, besides tie-dye, are practiced by the villagers?

Wood carving, embroidery and bamboo weaving are also local traditional handicrafts.

What is the easiest and cheapest way to travel from Dali Ancient Town to Zhoucheng Village?

The most economical way is to take the bus to Eryuan or Butterfly Spring at the East Gate or West Gate of Dali Ancient City and get off at Zhoucheng Village. It takes about 30 minutes and costs about CNY 7 – 8.

Can travelers stay overnight in Zhoucheng Village?

Yes, there are economic, comfortable and high-end guesthouses and most of them are transformed from traditional Bai ethnic dwellings. So living there itself is a cultural experience.

Plan a Dali Tour with Zhoucheng Village with China Xian Tour

During a tour in Dali, every tourist wants to try the tie-dyeing or purchase the tie-dye products as a souvenir. Follow China Xian Tour, we can tailor a Dali trip with the experience according to your needs. If you want to buy it directly and do not know what to choose, you can also ask our local guide for help. Of course, our guide will introduce the local culture for you during the trip. Your travel experience will be more abundant if travelling with us. So contact us right now.