What is Xizhou Village
The village is located to the north of Dali Old Town and has over 100 Bai residences that were built during and after the Ming Dynasty, showing influences from multiple time periods. This can be seen in courtyard homes decorated with paintings, colourful leaves and traditional tie-dye cloth produced in local workshops. The village provides a contrast to the Old Town, offering a more local feel, with farmland surroundings and morning markets bringing together local farmers.
History of Xizhou Village
Xizhou has a history of over 1000 years and was a part of the Tea Horse Road, a network of caravan routes transporting tea, horses, salt and other goods. The town has influences from Northern China and Central Asia with a large Muslim population that settled in Dali during the Mongolian Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). During the Ming Dynasty, merchants from Xizhou travelled along the Tea Horse Road trading their tea, marble and crafts. During this time, Xizhou gained a reputation for academia, with a tradition of writing the names of residents who achieved academic success, which continues today.
What makes Xizhou Village unique
Xizhou Village stands out for its Bai community that can be seen in the architecture, food and crafts of the. The culture can be seen in the daily life, where you can watch traditional tie-dye being made, participate in a three-course tea ceremony and spend time at the local morning markets. The setting adds to the experience, with wheat and rice fields surrounding the town and views of Cangshan Mountain.
Time at Xizhou Village
Mornings at the town often start by wandering through the daily market where farmers in the region gather to sell fresh vegetables, fruits, dried spices and local snacks. The folk building complex offers traditional Bai architecture with colourful landscape paintings and decorations along the doorways and eaves. Sifafang Street is a small square located at the centre of Xizhou with small local shops and buildings decorated with the Bai tie-dye fabric. The three-course tea ceremony is a specialty in Xizhou often used to welcome guests. The first cup is bitter, the second is sweet and the third focuses on the aftertaste combining sour, sweet, bitter and spicy flavours.
When to visit
Due to Dali’s generally mild weather, Xizhou can be visited throughout the year. Autumn Harvest (Late August-September) is one of the best times to visit Xizhou Village as the rice fields turn golden. Spring is also a good time to visit with clear weather and golden wheat fields around the village. Mornings usually offer clearer views of the surrounding scenery and daily morning markets in the town.
Is Xizhou Village right for your trip?
Xizhou suits travellers who are interested in learning about Bai culture in a more everyday setting with town walks, relaxed activities and rural landscapes. Because it is close to Dali Old Town, it is often visited as a half or full day trip. Many travellers start in the morning to see the daily markets and spend the later part of the day wandering the historic buildings and enjoying the three-course tea ceremony.
Xizhou Village with Wonders of Yunnan
Time in Xizhou Village is often connected to nearby destinations in Dali such as Zhoucheng Village and time at Erhai Lake. This allows travellers to experience the traditions and architecture of a Bai community in a more peaceful and rural setting. If you are planning a journey in Yunnan, you are welcome to explore how Xizhou Village fits into time in Dali.
