Xizhou Travel Guide

A bastion of the Bai people, Xizhou is an ancient city tucked away in Dali Prefecture of Yunnan Province. This is a classic place to learn about the Chinese way of life away from the Han-dominated east.

Worth It?: Xizhou is a reasonably daytrip option for anyone visiting Dali.
What to Do: tour a Bai house, visit Lake Erhai.
Best Time to Go: during the summer, especially between May and September.
How Long?: A daytrip is enough to enjoy Xizhou.
Trivia: Xizhou was temporarily home to the King of Nanzhao.

Xizhou was a major military stronghold at the height of the Nanzhao Kingdom (when Yunnan was distinct from China), and much of its impressive architecture dates back several centuries. Bai houses are the highlight, and most are painted in bright greens, golds and blues. The most impressive are built around courtyards.

Bai handicrafts make great souvenirs. Wax dying is used to color everything from tablecloths and tapestries to shoes and hats. Traditional dress is still an important part of life in Xizhou, and Bai women are easily identified by their large, colorful hats.

The local Tourist Bureau is trying to balance development with cultural preservation. A few of the roads in Xizhou have been widened to accommodate increased traffic, but this largely avoids the best architectural districts.

Travel to Xizhou - Getting There

Xizhou is only 15 miles from Dali, a much larger city with rail, bus and air connections to other cities in the region. Given Xizhou's close proximity to Dali, many visitors come and go in a single day. The new airport in Dali offers quick, 45-minute flights to Kunming's international airport.

Xizhou Things to Do

Xizhou Attractions

Bai architecture

there are more than 80 traditional Bai houses in Xizhou, with a courtyard flanked by three or four rooms and an optional screened-in wall.

Side trips from Xizhou

Lake Erhai: easily visited on a daytrip to or from Xizhou, Lake Erhai is the perfect venue for sightseeing cruises with snow-capped mountains looming in the background.

Events

Three Spirits Festival: the Bai are known for their festivals, and this event in April is the most popular. It features folk dances and traditional costumes.