Shaxi Travel Guide
Shaxi is an ancient market town in China's Yunnan Province. It is an important stop on the well-traveled route between Lijiang and Dali. The Shaxi marketplace was inducted to the World Memorial Fund list a few years ago.
- Worth It?
- Shaxi is a rising star in Yunnan Province and offers one of the region's most authentic glimpses into an all but forgotten way of life.
- What to Do
- explore Sideng Market, view Xingjiao Temple.
- Best Time to Go
- from May to October, before winter snows set in.
- How Long?
- A day or two is enough for Shaxi.
- Trivia
- Shaxi is China's only surviving market town along the ancient caravan roads.
In old times, Shaxi was situated along an important trade route connecting Tibet with southern China's lowlands. Caravans came through on a regular basis, bringing salt along with other sundries. All of this traffic made Shaxi a thriving, international hub. Everything ground to a halt in the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution.
The upshot is that Shaxi was largely ignored in China's devastating destroy-and-rebuild campaign. Much of the original infrastructure remains to this day, and today's government understands the benefit of tourism. With the help of renowned conservation expert, Jacques Feiner, the city has restored the marketplace and temples that once hosted traders from across the continent.
Travel to Shaxi - Getting There
Shaxi is situated squarely between Lijiang and Dali, two better known (and more crowded) ancient cities. Minibuses connect from Jianchuan bus station (1 hour). The nearby airport in Xiaguan opened recently and offers quick service to the international hub in Kunming (45 minutes).
Shaxi Things to Do
Shaxi Attractions
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