There are many ancient towns and villages in Yunnan with very different styles. Some are sparsely populated; some are ancient and contain the vicissitudes of history; some are exotic and have a unique flavor… Life in these ancient towns plays out slowly, like in an old movie. It is worth every visitor taking their time to watch and savor. I hope this article on the Yunnan ancient towns will be of help to you on your travels.
To learn more about Yunnan’s tourist destinations, please read the Yunnan homepage.
1. Xizhou Ancient Town
Highlights
Xizhou is known for its unique Bai architecture, which features elaborate wooden carvings and ornate decorations. The town is also famous for its historical and cultural significance. It was once a major trading hub on the ancient Tea Horse Road, which connected Yunnan with Tibet and other parts of southwestern China.
The streets of Xizhou are lined with traditional courtyard homes, many of which have been beautifully preserved and converted into shops, galleries, and guesthouses. Visitors can explore the town’s winding alleys and narrow lanes, admiring the intricate woodwork and colorful murals that adorn the buildings.
One of the most popular attractions in Xizhou is the local market, which takes place every Monday and is a bustling hub of activity where visitors can sample local foods, purchase handicrafts, and mingle with the locals.
Jia Ma woodblock print with handmade paper
JIa Ma is a generic term for the various types of engraved printing used by Chinese folk religions to burn during rituals to pray for good fortune and eliminate disasters. The content of the prints generally includes images of gods and spirits, birds and animals, natural mountains and rivers, buildings, etc. It is a precious folk cultural heritage.
Jianchuan Wood Carvings
When the Jianchuan Bai people get married, wood carvings are often used for furniture and wedding room decoration. They are used to bless the newlyweds with motifs such as “a unicorn sending a son,” “a mandarin duck playing in the water,” and “a dragon and a phoenix presenting good fortune.” In addition, wood carvings also convey symbols of good fortune and prosperity.
Bai tie-dye
Bai tie-dye has a wide range of motifs, but the most common is to use local mountains and rivers as the theme. These motifs are auspicious and have important aesthetic value and practical functions.
Ancient Paper Making
Ancient Paper Making: The hand-made paper-making techniques here have a long history of heritage and have properties such as softness, resistance to kneading, aging, insect resistance, good water absorption, and resistance to discoloration.
Food
Xizhou Baba, Milk Fan Soup, Flower Cake, Hot and Sour Fish, Taro Soup with Sea Vegetables
Public transport
The Xizhou Ancient Town can be reached by medium-sized buses traveling north on Dali Road or National Highway 214. These buses stop at the beck and call.
2. Heshun Ancient Town
Highlights
Heshun Ancient Town is a town with a Chinese ink painting atmosphere. Small bridges and flowing water, wooden beams and green tiles, and red paper lanterns are all part of the rustic atmosphere of life.
Food
Heshun Tounao, Tu Pot, Dajiujia, Thin Bean Flour Baba, White Mochi, Oat Noodle Quanzhou
Public transport
Take the No. 6 bus from Tengchong County to Heshun Ancient Town
3. Shuanglang Ancient Town
Highlights
The most scenic ancient town by the Cang Mountains and the Erhai Lake
Food
Eight White Bowls, Spicy and Sour Fish, Shredded Bait, Rice noodles, Rolled noodles and Rice Cake
Public transport
A chartered bus from Dali Old Town takes about 40 minutes and costs about RMB 100-150; a shuttle bus from the northern passenger station in Dali Old Town runs every 40 minutes and takes an hour and a half.
4. Heijing Ancient Town
Highlights
Heijing Ancient Town is a historical and mysterious salt capital with a thousand-year history. Nestled in the mountains and surrounded by water, it is a town that has long been sealed in the valley of the Longchuan River.
Food
Salt Casserole Chicken, Grey Tofu, Stone Fish, Shaofu, Thin Bean Flour Baba, Beef Dried Bar, Fried Pomegranate Flowers
Public transport
Take the train from Kunming to Panzhihua and get off at Heijing station. After getting off the train, you can take a small horse-drawn carriage or go on foot.
5. Nayan Ancient Town
Highlights
Nayun Ancient Town is the last Dai Ancient Town in China. Legend has it that during the Southern Song Dynasty, more than 700 years ago, the prince of the Dai people fled after a failed struggle for power. After much hardship, he finally found a beautiful river valley where he built a Dai royal town, Nayun.
Food
Beef Sapie, Sour Cow’s feet, Dai Hand-held Rice, Dai Beef
Public transport
You can take a direct flight to Pu’er, and there are buses to Menglian County from the Pu’er Bus Terminal every hour, which takes 6-7 hours to get to Menglian. The town of Nayun is within walking distance of Menglian County.
6. Shaxi Ancient Town
Highlights
Shaxi Ancient Town is the only surviving ancient marketplace on the ancient Tea Horse Road. The town has fine Bai residential architecture. Walking along the stone streets, you pass villagers carrying bamboo baskets on their backs.
Food
Goat’s Milk Cake, Cold Noodles and Hand-Cut Bait Shreds
Public transport
Take a bus from Dali Ancient Town North Railway Station to Jianchuan, about a 3.5-hour drive, and then take a minibus from the entrance of Jianchuan County Station to Shaxi Ancient Town, about a 45-minute drive.
7. Nuodeng Ancient Town
Highlights
The ancient town of Nuodeng is a village of the Bai people with a thousand-year history, preserving many Ming and Qing dynasty buildings and the famous Yuhuangge Taoist complex.
Food
Naodeng Ham, Naodeng Chicken
Public transport
Take a shuttle bus from Dali Xingsheng Road Bus Station to Yunlong, which is about 3 hour drive. Then change to a three-wheeled motorbike.
8. Baisha Ancient Town
Highlights
Baisha Ancient Town is the birthplace of Naxi culture and was also the residence of the Mu Tusi more than 300 years ago. The town sells local specialties such as copperware, hand-made tie-dye, embroidery, wood carvings, and pine cones along the streets.
Food
Naxi Pot Dishes, Baisha Baklava, Oil Sesame crisp, Stuffed Tofu, Tofu Dregs Soup, Sweet Potato Wine
Public transport
Take bus no. 6 in Lijiang and get off at Baisha junction.
9. Bixi Ancient Town
Highlights
The ancient town of Bixi was once an important post station on the ancient Tea Horse Road. The old buildings have been well preserved throughout history, and when you step on the stone streets, you can feel the procession of horse gangs carrying goods through the town.
Food
Fine Rice Noodles, Fireweed Baba, Purple Rice Baba, Cold Noodles, Tofu, and various Hani-style snacks
Public transport
There are daily direct buses to Mojiang County from the southern Kunming bus station. Once you arrive in Mojiang County, take a taxi to Bixi Ancient Town.
10. Guanglu Ancient Town
Highlights
Guanglu Ancient Town is one of a quiet and completely uncommercialized Yunnan ancient towns. After seeing the history of the old town, you will understand almost the entire history of Yunnan Province.
Food
Mushroom Hotpot, Rose Flower Sauce, Fried Eggs with Lotus Flowers, Stinky Tofu Casserole with Rice Noodles, Yaoan Pretzel Cake
Public transport
Guanglu Ancient Town is 230 km from Kunming. Take a bus from Kunming Western/Northwestern passenger station, Yao’an/Dayao direction to Guanglu Ancient Town.
