Written by Veronica |
Also known as Baisha Old Town,Ā Baisha VillageĀ in Lijiang,Ā YunnanĀ is the birthplace of Naxi culture and one of China’s historic and culturally significant towns. As the origin place of the Mu family, the ruling Tusi clan of Lijiang, this town is the most pristine Naxi village, featuring not only ancient architectural styles but also unique Naxi customs and splendid murals.
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- Baisha Village Facts
- History of Baisha Village
- Why Choose Baisha: The Most Authentic Naxi Village
- What to See and Do in Baisha Village
- Recommended Local Cuisine
- Best Time to Visit Baisha Village
- Getting to Baisha Village
- Attractions Nearby Baisha Village
- FAQs about Baisha Village
- Contact China Xian Tour to Plan a Yunnan Tour with Baisha
Baisha Village Facts
- Location: Baisha Town, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang City; 10 kilometers north of Lijiang Old Town
- Opening time: All day long
- Time needed: Half a day
- Best time to visit: Spring and autumn
- Ticket: Free
- Suited to: History enthusiasts, art or mural lovers, and those interested in Naxi culture
History of Baisha Village
Baisha VillageĀ was once the political, economic, commercial, and cultural center of a world-class “Ancient Naxi Kingdom.” It has a long history. As early as the Tang Dynasty, when the Nanzhao King designated Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as the “Northern Mountain,” the ancestors of the Mu family began building Baisha Street and the Beiyue Temple here.
From the Song and Yuan dynasties until the early Ming Dynasty in 1383, the Mu family resided in Baisha Old Town. The town’s commerce and craftsmanship were highly developed, contributing a lot to its position as a center for copper forging, weaving, and embroidery.
Why Choose Baisha: The Most Authentic Naxi Village
Baisha Village is the birthplace of Naxi Culture. In Tang and Song Dynasties, Baisha Village was already prosperous and its history is even longer than Lijiang Ancient Town. The Baisha murals can only be found here. Unlike the bustling and well-developed Lijiang Ancient Town and the Shuhe Ancient Town with a moderate commercialization level, Baisha Village is quiet and simple with a strong life atmosphere, just like a hermit living under Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The houses there are original ecological Naxi folk houses where the Naxi people have lived for several generations. It is an alive Naxi Museum. Besides, the village faces the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain directly. You can savor a cup of coffee in a cafe, meanwhile appreciating the scenery of the snow mountain.
What to See and Do in Baisha Village
1. Marvel at Baisha Murals
As one of the ethnic ancient townsĀ in Yunnan,Ā Baisha VillageĀ attracts tourists a lot with its famous murals, which have been includedĀ in theĀ UNESCOĀ World Cultural Heritage sites and are a must-visit during your travel to Lijiang in Yunnan. Most of the muralsĀ were created during the Ming and Qing dynasties, blendingĀ the flowing and colorful style of Tibetan Buddhist painting,Ā and are considered treasures of mural art.
- Where to see: Dabaoji Palace and Liuli Hall
- Fee: CNY 20 – 30
2. Visit the Dabaoji Palace
Dabaoji Palace of Baisha VillageĀ houses the largest scale of murals in Lijiang, which were created during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. There are 12 murals in total, featuring 167 individual figures. The content is religious, but what is unique is that within the same mural, there are not only figures from Han Buddhism and Daoism but also Lamaism. It is quite rare to find religious murals that combine elements from different sects in this way.
- Location: Beside the Baisha Township Government, inside the village
- How to get to: Take bus line 6 or tourist shuttle bus to the Baisha Village and then walk there.
- Opening hours: 08:30-17:30
- Fee: CNY 20
3. Discover Dongba Culture
Baisha Village in YunnanĀ has a richĀ NaxiĀ cultural heritage. When visiting thereĀ on your Yunnan toursĀ to Lijiang, you can see Naxi women wearing traditional attire, and find craft shops selling exquisite embroidery and hand-painted artworks. Besides, Naxi music and dance are also must-see, such as the “Dongba Dance” and “Lebba Dance,” which are traditional performances during festivals and celebrations.
4. Explore the Naxi Architecture
Baisha OldĀ TownĀ mainly features wooden houses with the distinctive Naxi style of flying eaves and curved corners. In the middle of the eaves, there are tile cats, which are meant to ward off evil spirits. Nowadays, tile cats are recreated in various shapes, some with mouths wide open, and some with sharp teeth. Start to explore Naxi architectureĀ there during your Yunnan Lijiang tours, and you’ll understand the philosophy behind it.
5. WanderĀ through the Village Streets
There are many ancient streets for you to explore, and the most remarkable one is Sifang Street. The Sifang Street in Baisha OldĀ TownĀ was once a bustling trading hub along the Tea Horse Road and is the prototype for Sifang Street in both Shuhe Ancient TownĀ and LijiangĀ Old Town. Besides, you can take a leisurely walk along the street, explore the workshops for handicrafts, and enjoy specialty foods such as grilled fish, butter tea, and clay pot chicken.
6. Admire Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Located at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Baisha VillageĀ allows you to see the snow-capped peaks, especially when standing on the main street near the paifang. Particularly, on sunny days, the snow mountain range is lined up in clear weather, contrasting with the ancient architecture and blue sky, creating a stunning view.
Recommended Local Cuisine
The local cuisine perfectly combines the Naxi characteristics and the creative petty bourgeoisie taste. Though the village is not big, there are also some reputed restaurants. The Yak beef hot pot of Yunweiji Restaurant and Niutanqing Restaurant are very famous and suitable to enjoy as a big dinner. About snacks, the chickpea bean jelly is a very traditional local snack. The Flower Steamed Buns are not only beautiful, but also tasty. Cafes there are also a highlight of the village. The second-floor terraces of 7 sea bar and Yiwatang Cafe are classic spots for the scenery of the snow mountains. If you want to try something special, the yak fresh milk tea of Naxi Princess milk tea shop is worth tasting.
Best Time to Visit Baisha Village
Baisha VillageĀ in ChinaĀ welcomes visitors all year round, and you can appreciate the murals and architecture anytime. But the best time to visit there is in spring and autumn for the mild climate and enchanting landscapes. If you are interested in local customs, visit there during festivals like the Bangbang Festival on January 20thĀ or the Torch Festival on June 24th-26th in the Chinese lunar calendar. >> Learn more explore Lijiang Weather
Getting to Baisha Village from Lijiang
From Lijiang Sanyi International Airport to Baisha
Take the Lijiang Airport shuttleĀ to the Civil Aviation Blue Sky Hotel, then transfer to Bus No. 8, 11, 16, 9B, or 9A, and then switch to Bus No. 6 to reach the Baisha Township Government. Finally, walk about 60 meters to reach the village. The total journey takes approximately 2 hours.
If you choose to take a taxi, it will take about 1 hour and cost approximately CNY 100.
From Lijiang City to Baisha
Take Bus No. 16 and transfer to Bus No. 6 or the Baisha Ancient Town Special Line;
Take Bus No. 104 and transfer to the Baisha Ancient Town Special Line.
If you want to save time and energy, a taxi is the best means of transportation. The expense range is about CNY 30 – 50.
Another popular way among young tourists is to rent an electro car. You can enjoy free time to ride and appreciate the rural scenery along the way. The journey takes about 40 minutes to one hour. The rental fee is CNY 50 per day.
Attractions Nearby Baisha Village
- Lijiang Old Town: Located 10km from Baisha Old Town, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that mainly features ancient architecture, winding lanes, and Naxi culture.
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: As a vast snowy field of winter and spring,Ā this snow mountain is a paradise for hiking, cable car riding, and skiing. Visiting there, you can explore the vast grasslands, clearĀ lakes, and the beautiful Blue Moon Valley.
FAQs about Baisha Village
Is Baisha Ancient Town worth visiting?
Yes. As the living area of Naxi people, Baisha Village has a primitive charm and a strong life atmosphere, which the Lijiang Ancient Town can not offer. The quiet and leisurely life pace and the snow mountains will make you feel at ease. The village is also a world cultural heritage site.
Is Baisha crowded with tourists?
Compared with Lijiang Ancient Town, it is not crowded. The average daily number of tourists is about 4,000 only.
How much time should I allocate for visiting Baisha Village?
Half a day is a reasonable period.
Can I see the Dongba pictographic script in Baisha Village?
Yes. You can also experience making the Dongba Paper and writing the Dongba hieroglyphics in the workshop opened by the inheritor.
What kind of accommodation is available near Baisha Village?
There are about 100 hotels inside and outside the village, which vary from economical inns and luxury resort hotels.
Contact China Xian Tour to Plan a Yunnan Tour with Baisha
As a tourist, you wonāt want to feel the tranquility of Baisha Village only. The bustling ancient towns and majestic snow mountains also have a great appeal to you definitely. So follow China Xian TourĀ to explore one by one and leave some unforgettable memories in not only Lijiang, but also other famous tourist cities in Yunnan. We can tailor an itinerary to cover the cities and cultural activities you love. Your travel experiences will be more diverse with us. So contact us right now.
