Breakfast at hotel.
In the morning, visit the Bai minority village Xizhou.
23 kilometers north of Dali, Xizhou village has a more mixed population and cosmopolitan background. It grew and flourished in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) along with the fortunes of Dali’s renowned tea merchants that traded to Tibet. Family Yan’s courtyard is a good example of traditional Bai houses. Here, we will also enjoy Three-coursed Tea accompanied with folk song and dance performance, a ceremony of the Bai people to greet guests.
Then, overland drive of 2 hours to the Shibaoshan Mountains (also known as Stone Treasure Mountains). Visit the Baoxiang Temple that is built along a sheer cliff, and the Stone Bell Temple.
Shibaoshan is hidden in a remote mountain region in Jianchuang County. Apart from fine depictions of Buddhist deities and disciples, the grottoes at Stone Bell Temple are outstanding for their presentation of life under the Nanzhao Kingdom (748-902). The works are entirely carvings, with no frescoes. Two lesser sites within Shibaoshan region, namely Lion’s Pass and Shadeng Valley. Artistic accomplishment of Shibaoshan grottoes are regarded by scholars the best one in the entire South China.
From a well paved trail behind the Stone Bell Temple, we will trek downhill, along the Shadeng Valley, to the Sideng Village of Shaxi Township. The hike is about 1.5 hour and we may see quite a few grottoes along the trail.
Sideng village, residing in the immediate neighborhood of Shibaoshan and under the jurisdiction of Shaxi Township, was a prosperous town on the old South China Silk Road that connects China with South Asia, Southeast Asia and West Asia. Traditional Bai houses line up to form the village a chessboard. The century-old Xingjiao Buddhist Temple and wooden theater worth a visit. Sideng village was enlisted as one of the 101 World Monumental Constructions in late 2001 by World Monumental Construction Fund.
Lunch en tour at local Chinese restaurant. Dinner at leisure - on your own account
Overnight at Shaxi, 01 night