Wilder than Dali Old Town, more primitive than Shaxi! Xizhou is Yunnan's last Bai ethnic secret!

🌟 Xizhou Ancient Town: A Timeless Haven of Bai Culture in Dali | Complete Travel Guide ◎ Location & Transportation Located 18km north of Dali Old Town, nestled between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, Xizhou is a living museum of Bai culture. • From Dali: Take a minibus (10 RMB/person) or taxi (~40 RMB) from the old town to Zhengyi Gate (30 mins). • External transport: From Dali Airport, take shuttle bus to downtown then transfer to Xizhou; from Dali Railway Station, taxi costs ~50 RMB. ◎ Tickets & Opening Hours • Admission: Free entry! Core attractions require tickets: Yan Family Compound Museum (25 RMB adults, 12 RMB children). • Opening: 24/7 for town; Yan Family Compound 08:30-17:30. ------ ⛩️ Must-See Attractions 1. Yan Family Compound Museum ◦ Highlights: Pinnacle of Bai architecture! Century-old complex featuring "Three Rooms One Screen Wall" layout with live Bai song/dance + Three-Course Tea ceremony. ◦ Tip: Afternoon performance starts at 14:00 - arrive early! 2. Sifang Street & Xizhou Baba Origin ◦ Highlights: Town center! Stone-paved lanes with elderly Bai vendors selling fresh baba (sweet/savory, 10 RMB each). ◦ Tip: Try "Fuxing Posu Baba" - famously flaky! 3. 500-Year-Old Banyan Tree & Zhengyi Gate ◦ Highlights: Western entrance gate leads to giant banyan (5-person circumference), featured in "Meet Yourself" drama - perfect for wishes. 4. Bai Residential Architecture ◦ Highlights: Wander alleys to discover Yan/Yang family compounds - carved walls, grey tiles, perfect for cultural photography. 5. Haishi Ecological Park (Free) ◦ Highlights: 2km from town, Erhai-formed peninsula with dead trees/wetlands. Bike or take horse cart (20 RMB/person). ------ 🍜 Food Guide • Xizhou Baba: Crispy pastry with rose sugar/meat filling. Try "Suxiangyuan" at Sifang Street. • Bai Three-Course Tea: Experience at Yan Compound (included in ticket) with performances. • Rushan & Spicy Fish: Fried dairy rolls with sugar; Erhai fish cooked with plums. • Qingliang Xiaowu: Artisanal ice cream - Pu'er tea flavor (9 RMB/scoop). ------ 🏠 Accommodation • Town guesthouses: ◦ Linden Centre (Yang Pinxiang's mansion): 600+/night, heritage building + rice field views. ◦ Gujina No.28: 300+/night, Bai courtyard + mountain-view terrace. • Lakeside hotels: Miwan Qinglv (near Haishi): 500+/night, 270° lake views. ------ 📅 Itinerary One-Day Highlights: Zhengyi Gate → Banyan Tree → Sifang Street (baba) → Yan Compound (show) → Alley photography → Haishi cycling. Two-Day Immersion: • Day1: Town core (Yan Compound + tie-dye workshop) → Rice field café sunset → Stay at Linden. • Day2: Morning market → Zhoucheng village tie-dye (intangible heritage) → Haishi picnic. ------ 💡 Tips • Best seasons: Mar-May (rapeseed flowers), Sep-Nov (golden rice). • Outfits: Light linen dresses + straw hats, pair with Bai indigo bags. • Avoid: ✅ Yan Compound afternoon tea includes show - better value! ❌ Skip overpriced horse rides. • Etiquette: Don't touch carvings/photo elders without permission. ------ Xizhou's charm lingers in baba oven aromas, century-old wood grains, and fluttering indigo fabrics. Wilder than Wuzhen, quieter than Lijiang - it's "a pristine Bai ethnic fossil suspended in time".