1. Baisha Ancient Town Overview
Baisha Ancient Town is located about 10 kilometers north of Lijiang City and is adjacent to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. It was once the political, economic, commercial and cultural center of Naxi ethnic minority in Lijiang. It is also the birthplace of the Mu family, the chieftain of Lijiang. As the most original Naxi village, not only is Baisha Ancient Town a place full of historical charm, but also it has rich cultural heritage and enchanting scenery. Therefore, Baisha Ancient Town is an unmissable destination.
1.1 Highlights
1.1.1 Ancient Constructions
The architectural style of Baisha Ancient Town is very unique. It combines the characteristics of multiple ethnic groups such as Han, Tibetan and Bai, forming a unique Naxi architectural art. Most of the houses are built with local stones and wood, full of a strong rural atmosphere. These houses are mainly quadrangles with good ventilation and lighting,the Naxi people use green tiles to cover the roofs. What’s more, the walls are painted with exquisite murals, various patterns are carved on the doors and windows, it thus shows the wisdom and aesthetic views of the Naxi people. In addition, the streets and alleys of the ancient town are narrow, there are deep marks engraved on the stone slabs, as if it tells its time-honored history.
1.1.2 Ancient Culture
The Naxi ethnic group is the main ethnic minority in Baisha Ancient Town. They have rich ethnic culture and traditional customs. Here, you can see Naxi women wearing traditional clothing, they sell exquisite embroideries and hand-painted works in the handicraft shops. On top of this, Naxi music and dance are also not to be missed,the most famous of which is "Dongba Dance" and "Leba Dance" , they are traditional dances performed by the Naxi people during festivals and celebrations.
It mainly takes the Bangbang Fair and Torch Festival of the Naxi ethnic group as highlights, attracting people from all over the world to participate. The live performances and joyful atmosphere add a bit of comfort and relaxation to tourists' journeys.
2. Transportation-How to get to Baisha Village
The main transportation modes to Baisha Ancient Town are as below:
Airplane: You can go to Lijiang Sanyi Airport by air, and then transfer to other means of transportation to Baisha Ancient Town.
Train: You can take a train to Lijiang Station at first and then transfer to other means of transportation to Baisha Ancient Town.
Car: You can take a bus or taxi in Lijiang urban area to Baisha Ancient Town.
Bus: Starting from Lijiang Ancient City, you can take Bus No. 6 or the special bus line from Ancient City-Shuhe-Baisha to reach Baisha Ancient Town.
Of course, tourists can also ride bicycles from Dayan Ancient City to Baisha Ancient Town. The driving distance is about 12 kilometers and the scenery along the way is pretty good, you deserve to try it.
3. What to see—Baisha Ancient Town Attractions
The central area of Baisha Ancient Town is Sifang Street and the surrounding temple buildings. It includes Fuguo Temple in the west of the ancient town, and religious building complexes such as Dabao Jigong Palace, Liuli Temple, and Dading Pavilion, Wenchang Palace etc. It is very worth seeing.
3.1 Baisha Murals
"Baisha murals" are the artistic manifestation of Naxi society in the Ming Dynasty. Their painting lasted for more than 300 years from the early Ming Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty. The late Ming and early Qing dynasties were the prosperous and heyday of Lijiang murals, with a history of five hundred years.
The 55 existing Baisha murals in the town are the treasures in mural art. Most of them were created in the Ming and Qing dynasties. They combine the smooth and gorgeous styles in Tibetan Buddhist paintings and are now stored in Dabao Jigong Palace, Liuli Temple, Dading Pavilion and Dajue Palace respectively. During the Ming Dynasty, the Mu chieftain in Lijiang was at its peak. The political situation was stable and the economy was relatively thriving. In order to show its prosperity, a large number of palaces were built and a number of large-scale building complexes were completed.
The existing murals of the Ming Dynasty in temples such as Baisha Colored Glaze Hall, Dabao Jigong Palace and Dading Pavilion are extremely precious cultural relics. The murals of Dabao Jigong Palace are the largest in Lijiang murals. They were painted in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. There are a total of 12 murals with 167 figures,most of the contents are religious themes. But what is special is that in the same mural, there are not only the Buddha statues of Chinese Buddhism and Taoism, but also the Buddha statues of Lamaism. This kind of religious mural that draws the contents of different sects together is very rare.
3.2 Dabaoji Palace
Dabao Jigong Palace faces east and was built in 1582, the tenth year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty. There are 12 murals preserved in the palace, which are the largest and relatively well-preserved part of the existing murals in Lijiang. The total area is 61.48 square meters. Among them, the largest "Sutra Lecture Picture of Sakyamuni" is 3.67 meters high and 4.98 meters wide. Sakyamuni Buddha is sitting in the middle. There are 18 venerables listed above. On both sides are painted the Four Heavenly Kings and others. The murals blend the figures of Buddhism, Taoism and Lamaism, the brushwork is rigorous and exquisite, the lines are delicate and smooth, and it combines the traditional techniques of Han, Tibetan, Naxi, Bai and other ethnic groups together. Consequently, it is precious physical data for studying ethnic history and art history.
3.3 Fuguo Temple
Fuguo Temple was first built in 1601, the 29th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty. It was originally the family temple of the Mu chieftain. The Mu chieftain invited Mahayana Buddhist monks of Han nationality to chant scriptures here, so it became a Han Buddhist Zen temple. The most famous part of the temple is the "Five Phoenix Tower". Due to its exquisite architectural style and unique design, it enjoys a high reputation at home and abroad. The main hall is 20 meters high and is a three-story octagonal pavilion with upturned eaves. No matter from which direction you spot, it looks like five phoenixes spreading their wings to fly, The Five Phoenix Tower is thus named. Currently, it becomes the landmark building of Fuguo Temple.
3.4 Liuli Temple
Liuli Temple was built in the early Ming Dynasty and is located in the east of Baisha Town, Yulong County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. There are 16 murals preserved in the hall, covering a total area of 11.94 square meters.
The Liuli Temple has its historical and cultural values in multiple aspects.
Firstly,it depends on its artistic value. The murals in the Liuli Temple combine the painting characteristics of Tibetan Buddhism, Han Buddhism and Taoism in artistic style, also possess the rough and romantic style of Naxi painting.This fusion of multiple styles is relatively rare in art history and provides a vivid example for studying the artistic exchanges and fusions between different cultures. Its lines are delicate and smooth, and the use of colors is rich and coordinated, demonstrating a high level of painting skills. To a certain extent, the content of the murals adopts a realistic approach, depicting labor scenes such as hunting, fishing, ironmaking, firewood cutting, and textile weaving of the people at that time. These pictures not only have artistic appreciation value but also are important image materials for studying the social life of the Naxi people in the Ming Dynasty, enabling people to intuitively understand the production and living conditions of the Naxi people living in that period.
Secondly, its religious and cultural value are very unique. The murals in the hall contain a variety of religious themes. For example, the Buddha statues of Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Taoism appear simultaneously in the murals, reflecting the exchanges and fusions of different religions in this area at that time. The murals mainly preach religious doctrines and are an important carrier for the inheritance and dissemination of religious culture. Through these murals, we can deeply understand the status and influence of religious beliefs in people's lives at that time and the shaping role of religious thoughts on social culture.
Certainly, its historical value shouldn’t be overlooked. As a historical and cultural heritage, the Liuli Temple carries the cultural memory and spiritual inheritance of the Naxi people. After hundreds of years of ups and downs, it has been preserved until now. For the Naxi ethnic minority, it is regarded as the important cultural identity and a sense of belonging to connect the past and the present.
Finally, as a building in the early Ming Dynasty, the Liuli Temple itself is an important part of the ancient buildings of Baisha in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Its architectural style and structure have certain historical characteristics value,which waiting for you to explore.
3.5 Life Of Naxi People
Baisha Ancient Town is an important carrier of intangible cultural heritages of the Naxi ethnic group. Here, tourists can appreciate traditional arts of the Naxi people such as Naxi ancient music, Dongba script calligraphy and Naxi embroidery. These cultural heritages are an important part of Naxi culture and the cultural treasure trove of the Chinese nation. Apart from this, the Baisha Ancient Town also regularly holds various cultural activities, such as the Torch Festival of the Naxi ethnic group and the Dongba Culture Festival. The atmosphere on site is very enthusiastic and they also reflect the rich cultural lifestyle of the Naxi people.
3.6 Big Stone Bridge
Walking about 200 meters along the alley to the west of Sifang Street is the Big Stone Bridge in Baisha Ancient Town. It is also the predecessor of the Qinglong Bridge in Shuhe Ancient Town and the Dashi Bridge in Lijiang Dayan Ancient Town. The Big Stone Bridge is an important passage connecting Baisha Ancient Town and Yanjiao Village. It is also one of the necessary roads for horse caravans on the Ancient Tea Horse Road in history, so it's well worth seeing.
4. Climate And When To Go
The best season to visit Baisha Ancient Town is from April to October, it is the peak season. The scenery is enchanting and flowers are blooming competitively at this time. Under the background of a riot of colors, the small town unfolds like a painting scroll, which is intoxicatingly beautiful.
In addition, although summer is the rainy season, the climate is pleasant and the sun is shining brightly, which is very suitable for playing and taking pictures for fun. However, it should be noted that the wind is strong and the climate is dry in spring of Lijiang, so travelers should pay attention to sun protection and moisturizing. Therefore, choosing to visit the Ancient Town from April to October, travel enthusiasts can fully experience the wonderful historical culture and natural scenery, ultimately enjoying an unforgettable journey.
5. Festivals and Activities
5.1 The “Bangbang Fair”
The “Bangbang Fair” is also known as the Baisha agricultural tool trade fair and is usually held on the same day as the sacrifice to the gods. At this exchange meeting, there are a wide variety of agricultural tools as well as children's toys and various daily groceries. In addition to trading agricultural tools, Naxi-style dancing competitions and literary and artistic performances are also held on the Baisha Square. The atmosphere on site is extremely lively,so it is the fair not to be missed.
5.2 The Torch Festival
The Torch Festival of the Naxi ethnic group is held from June 24th to 26th in the lunar calendar. People will light bonfires in the yard for three nights. Each village in Baisha Ancient Town will light torches at the designated activity sites in their own villages and celebrate by singing and dancing together, which is very interesting.
The traditional customs of the Torch Festival of the Naxi ethnic group are as follows:
5.2.1 Burn The Torch
On the Torch Festival, people will light large torches in the courtyards of their homes. These torches are usually made of pine wood and are carefully prepared in advance. The lighting of the torches symbolizes driving away evil spirits and bringing good luck and prosperity.
5.2.2 Campfire Party
People gather around bonfires in villages or open spaces. They sing traditional Naxi songs and dance around the fire. This activity brings people together, strengthening the sense of community and unity. The dancing is often lively and energetic, with traditional Naxi dance steps that have been passed down through generations.
5.2.3 Sacrificial Activity
There are also sacrificial activities during the festival. People offer sacrifices to their ancestors and deities to express their gratitude and seek blessings for a good harvest, peace, and happiness. Offerings may include fruits, flowers, incense, and other items.
5.2.4 Gourmet Feast
During the Torch Festival, people prepare various delicious traditional Naxi foods. Dishes like Naxi bacon, Naxi baba (a kind of local pastry), and other local delicacies are enjoyed by families and friends. The sharing of food is also an important part of the festival, strengthening family bonds and social connections.
6. Food And Accommodation
In Baisha Ancient Town, you can taste authentic Naxi cuisine,here are some introductions to the cuisine.
6.1 Buttered Tea
It is a drink made from tea, butter, and salt. With a unique taste, it is one of the favorite drinks of the Naxi people.
6.2 Braised Chicken In Casserole
It is also a delicacy not to be missed. It is stewed with ingredients such as chicken, tofu, and potatoes, and tastes delicious.
6.3 Chickpea Jelly
There is also the most traditional chickpea jelly on the streets of Baisha. The tourists would find that the potatoes and chickpea jelly are being fried in a flat pan at the same time, which is very tempting. It is made from a special kind of original ecological small bean and is very nutritious. Chickpea jelly is divided into fried and cold types, travel enthusiasts can choose the one they like.
Regarding the accommodation, you can contact with us and we will provide you more comfortable experience, allowing you to enjoy a unforgettable journey, you will not be regretful.
