Shaxi Ancient Town

Opening Hours: 24 hours (some attractions open: 8:00-18:00)

Permission: Free, except 10 RMB for Xingjiao Temple & 10 RMB for Ouyang courtyard

Shaxi Ancient Town, nestled in the southwest of Jianchuan County within the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, stands as a historical gem with roots tracing back to the Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road. Functioning as a vital trading hub, Shaxi was a bustling center where locals traded a diverse array of homemade goods with passing caravans. The town’s inhabitants not only engaged in commerce but also opened their homes, providing food and hospitality to the travelers along the ancient route.

Shaxi Ancient Town holds significant cultural and historical importance, and its preservation has been recognized on a global scale. In 2001, it was included in the World Monuments Fund’s protection list of 101 endangered sites. This prestigious list also features renowned sites such as Pompeii in Italy and the Great Wall of China. This acknowledgment underscores the town’s unique heritage and the need for concerted efforts to safeguard its historical and architectural treasures. Shaxi Ancient Town remains a testament to the rich cultural exchange and trade that occurred along the ancient Tea Horse Road.