Cobbled Streets and Temple Caves
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Temples of Shibaoshan and arrival in Shaxi
Today you will be collected from your hotel in Dali and transferred to Shibaoshan about 3 hours away. This area is renowned for its temples and caves built into the mountains, dating back to the 7th century. During your time here you can explore at your own pace, wandering through the cool caves and marvelling at the many statues of Buddha, monks and kings.
From here you will continue to the ancient village of Shaxi about 30 minutes away. You will stay in a small guest house in traditional Bai style, there are only a few rooms making for a cosy atmosphere and all have ensuite bathrooms. It is located in the centre of town, close to restaurants and the cobbled streets to wander through and soak up the relaxed vibe.
Day 2 – Free time and arrival in Lijiang
Today you’ll have the morning free to explore the cobbled streets of Shaxi on your own and if you are here on a Friday the market is a great place to start. As the last fully preserved market on the Tea-Horse route several buildings have been restored to their former glory. There are piles of colourful fruit and veg and handmade items being sold by the locals, the perfect spot for a morning stroll. After lunch you will be transferred to well-worn cobbles of Lijiang which takes approximately 3 hours.
Accommodation
