Xizhou Ancient Town Travel Guide 2025: Authentic Bai Culture and Timeless Beauty in Dali, Yunnan

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Written by Celine Schneider | Updated: July 2025

Nestled along the serene western banks of Erhai Lake, Xizhou Ancient Town (喜洲古镇) unfolds like a lyrical scroll, each alley and courtyard echoing with stories of the Bai people. For travelers who yearn for authenticity beyond crowded landmarks, Xizhou offers a poetic journey through time, architecture, and living tradition.

Echoes of Centuries: The Origins and History of Xizhou

Over a thousand years ago, during the Sui and Tang dynasties, Xizhou began its life as a Bai settlement, close to the royal capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom. It once served as a seasonal palace and strategic base, infusing the town with a noble spirit.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, Xizhou blossomed into a commercial powerhouse, celebrated as the “Xizhou Merchant Guild.” Prominent local families — the Yan, Dong, Yin, and Yang clans — propelled trade and industry, creating a rich legacy still visible today in the town’s elegant mansions and peaceful courtyards.

Today, Xizhou is cherished not only for its architectural wonders but also for the soulful daily rhythms of its people, making it one of Yunnan’s most beloved cultural treasures.

A Living Gallery: Bai Architecture and Courtyards

Walking through Xizhou is like entering an open-air museum, where every detail speaks of refined craftsmanship and harmony with nature. Over 100 well-preserved traditional Bai homes line the cobblestone paths, many dating back to the Ming dynasty.

The renowned Yan Family Courtyard (严家大院) on Sifang Street stands as an emblem of this architectural poetry. Built more than a century ago, it embodies the signature “three rooms with one screen wall” and “four courtyards with five skylights” layout. Intricate wooden carvings, upturned eaves, and moon gates transform light and shadow into a living dance.

Other architectural gems include the Dong Jinhan Compound, a graceful blend of Bai tradition and subtle Western influences from the Republic era, and the Zhao Family Courtyard, still inhabited today, offering glimpses into an unbroken thread of daily Bai life. The Yin Fucheng Courtyard, known for its delicate moon gates and intricate lattice windows, reveals the subtle sophistication of Bai design.

Streets Alive: The Pulse of Xizhou

Xizhou’s charm lies in its living essence. Each morning, the town stirs to the hum of its vibrant market. From 8 a.m., local farmers and fisherfolk arrive, their stalls brimming with crisp vegetables, fresh lake fish, handmade tofu, and fragrant flower cakes. Bai women, dressed in bright embroidered attire, wander the market with an air of gentle confidence, their laughter mingling with the scent of steamed buns and wild herbs.

Stroll down Sifang Street, where the Title Arch whispers stories of old commercial glory. On Town East Road, the Round Corner Tower stands as a relic of the Republic era, a symbol of Xizhou’s layered past. Further along Caiyun Street, small cafes and boutiques invite you to pause, sip local tea, and watch the quiet theater of daily life unfold.

Celebrate the Bai Spirit: Festivals and Traditions

If your journey aligns with spring (April to May), witness the Raosanling Festival, one of the most sacred and lively gatherings of the Bai people. Over three days, locals dressed in radiant traditional costumes sing and dance from surrounding villages to the shores of Erhai Lake. The highlight on the second day transforms Xizhou into a jubilant stage of all-night songs and community rituals, offering visitors an intimate glimpse into Bai spirituality and joy.

The Art of Living: Crafts and Daily Rituals

In Xizhou, time flows like a gentle stream. Artisans carry on traditions of tie-dye, paper-cutting, pottery, silverwork, and embroidery. On quiet afternoons, you might see villagers weaving colorful ribbons into hair, shaping clay cats, or stitching delicate patterns under vine-shaded porches.

Food, too, becomes a poetic experience here. The revered Bai Three-Course Tea Ceremony unfolds like a story: the first cup, bitter as life’s hardships; the second, sweet as fleeting happiness; and the third, aromatic and lingering, echoing the long aftertaste of cherished memories.

When to Visit Xizhou

While Xizhou is beautiful throughout the year, the most poetic seasons stretch from March to November. Spring bathes the town in camellia blossoms and festival colors. From June to October, golden rice paddies ripple under late summer light, ideal for photographers and dreamers alike. Even in winter, Xizhou offers a tranquil retreat, with clear skies and quiet lanes dusted in soft morning mists.

How to Reach Xizhou from Dali

Located just 20 kilometers north of Dali Ancient Town, Xizhou is easily accessible by various means:

• Minibus: The most budget-friendly option, costing around 5–8 yuan and taking about 40 minutes.
• Public Bus & Minivan: A slower but immersive journey through local neighborhoods.
• Bicycle: For those in search of intimacy with the land, a 1–2 hour lakeside ride unveils shifting mountain views and lotus-dotted ponds.
• Private Transfer: LuxTourCN (LTC) offers private car services for a seamless and comfortable ride, ideal for visitors who wish to arrive relaxed and ready to explore.

Where to Stay and What to Eat

Xizhou’s accommodations reflect its spirit of quiet elegance. Historic courtyard hotels retain their Bai charm, while family-run guesthouses offer warmth and simplicity. Wake to the call of roosters and drift off to the lullaby of cicadas under a moonlit sky.

Culinary delights await at every turn. The flaky “Xizhou Baba” pastry, flower cakes scented with seasonal blossoms, and dishes crafted from fresh lake fish and mountain greens embody the Bai love for pure, harmonious flavors.

Suggested Three-Day Journey

Day 1: Xizhou Ancient Town
Wander courtyards and markets, savor local treats, and immerse yourself in centuries of Bai culture.

Day 2: Erhai Lake & Shuanglang Village
Drift along Erhai’s calm waters and stroll Shuanglang’s artistic lanes, embracing slow travel at its finest.

Day 3: Dali Ancient Town & Three Pagodas
Conclude your journey among Dali’s storied streets and the timeless silhouettes of the Three Pagodas.

Experience Xizhou with LuxTourCN (LTC)

LuxTourCN (LTC) invites you to uncover Xizhou as more than a destination — it is a living poem waiting to be recited, a tapestry of spirit and tradition ready to be woven into your own story. Through curated itineraries and local connections, LTC guides you beyond the surface, into the heart of this timeless Bai village.

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