Naxi Culture and Slow Travel in Shaxi Ancient Town

Stay in Shuhe, visit Baisha murals and Yuhu Village, and add a day in Shaxi, the Tea Horse Road ancient town, for a slow-paced cultural trip.

Skip the big cable cars up the snow mountain. Spend your time on cultural sites such as Naxi ancient music, the Baisha murals, Yufeng Temple, and Yuhu Village. On day three, charter a car to Shaxi in Jianchuan to see Sideng Street and the Shibao Mountain grottoes. You'll stay in quiet Shuhe. This suits repeat visitors or those who love ancient towns and old architecture. The round-trip drive to Shaxi is long, so hiring a car is recommended.

Shaxi's market is liveliest on Fridays, so plan day three around that.

Day by day

Day 1 · Old Town Life and Naxi Ancient Music

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Old Town of Lijiang (Dayan)、Zhongyi Market、Naxi Ancient Music Concert）

Take a taxi about 20 minutes from Lijiang Railway Station to the Old Town. Explore on foot, then take a taxi about 20 minutes back to Shuhe after the evening Naxi music performance.

Naxi ancient music has evening performances. Buy tickets in advance.

Stay: Shuhe Ancient Town

Day 2 · Baisha Murals and Yuhu Village

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Baisha Village、Beiyue Temple、Yufeng Temple、Yuhu Village）

Take a taxi about 15 minutes from Shuhe to Baisha. Continue north to Yufeng Temple and Yuhu Village, with each leg about 10 to 20 minutes by car.

The Baisha murals are housed in Dabaoji Palace. Ask for a guide.

Stay: Shuhe Ancient Town

Day 3 · Sideng Street and Shibao Mountain in Shaxi

Jianchuan（Shibaoshan (Shizhongshan) Grottoes、Shaxi Ancient Town、Xingjiao Temple (Shaxi)、Yujin Bridge）

Charter a car on the Dali–Lijiang Expressway to Diannan, about 2 to 2.5 hours to Shibao Mountain, then 12 kilometers to Shaxi. Return to Shuhe in the evening.

The road from Shibao Mountain to Shaxi is a rural road with many curves. Avoid driving at night.

Stay: Shuhe Ancient Town

Day 4 · Shuhe Morning and Mufu Palace

Lijiang Old Town & Jade Dragon Snow Mountain（Shuhe Ancient Town、Black Dragon Pool、Mu Mansion）

Stroll Shuhe on foot in the morning. Take a taxi about 20 minutes to the Old Town to visit Mufu Palace. In the afternoon, take a taxi about 20 minutes to Lijiang Railway Station.

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