Baisha Village
白沙古镇
The birthplace of the Naxi Mu chieftains and Lijiang's earliest political center. With its Baisha murals, snow-mountain farmland and craft workshops, it is the most authentic old street in Lijiang.
Baisha Village lies about 10 km north of Dayan Old Town, on the southern slopes of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. From the Tang and Song dynasties through the Yuan, it was the political center of the Mu clan chieftains of the Naxi, before they moved to Dayan. It is also one of the three areas that make up the Lijiang Old Town World Heritage Site.
Highlights include: the Baisha Murals, Ming-dynasty paintings in the Dabaoji Palace that blend Tibetan Buddhist, Taoist and Dongba elements (entry about 30 yuan, a precious relic of Naxi culture); the Liuli Hall; Baisha Old Street, a roughly 1 km stretch of flagstone lane full of local life, with Naxi tie-dye, handmade silverware and the Jinxiu Art Academy embroidery workshop; and, at the end of the old street, a photo spot facing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Baisha is quieter than Shuhe and the least commercialized of the three. It is ideal to explore by bike. Suggested route: from Dayan or Shuhe, cycle or take a taxi to Baisha, then walk the old street, visit the Baisha Murals and the Jinxiu Art Academy, and stop at a roadside shop for Naxi bing (flatbread) and butter tea. Allow about 2 hours. You can continue to Yuhu Village ('First Village of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain', with Naxi stone houses and snow views) or Wenhai Lake (a seasonal lake at the foot of the snow mountain).
Getting there: a taxi from Dayan Old Town takes about 30 minutes (about 40 to 50 yuan); cycling from Shuhe takes about 30 minutes; Bus No. 6 also goes to Baisha.
Notes: photography is forbidden inside the Baisha Murals. Shopping on the old street is better value than in Dayan, but be careful when buying silver. The snow mountain is backlit in the afternoon, so mornings are better for photos.
Opening hours
Open all day; Baisha murals 08:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Beiyue Temple
- Shuhe Ancient Town
- Yufeng Temple
- Jade Water Village
- Yuhu Village
- Wenhai Lake
- Puji Temple
- Dongba Valley
Places to eat nearby
- Fuxian Xiaoguofan Yunnan Folk Flavor Restaurant (Shuhe Ancient Town Store)
- Apoqing Cured Rib Hotpot (Old Town Flagship Store)
- No. 88 Snack Shop
- Xiaoxike Yunnan Specialty Restaurant (Naxi Courtyard Store)
- Erge Rice Noodles (Lijiang Store)
- Junziyou Wild Mushroom Hotpot & Specialty Courtyard Restaurant (Lijiang Old Town Store)