Shaxi

Shaxi (沙溪; Shā​xī​) is in Yunnan|Yunnan Province.

Travel to Shaxi

There is no direct public bus to Shaxi from Lijiang or Dali. To reach Shaxi, first take a long distance bus to Jianchuan (剑川) from either Lijiang or Dali (Xiaguan). The trip from Lijiang to Jianchuan now takes roughly 1 hour owing to the new freeway completed in 2013.

From Old Town Dali: Take either bus no. 4 or no. 8 to Xiaguan. From the last stop on bus no. 4, take a taxi to the north bus station (ke yun bei zhan, 客运北站). Bus no. 8 will stop outside of the north bus station. Long distance bus service to Jianchuan runs every 15-30 mins from 6:20am to 6:50pm and the cost of the ticket is ￥26 and it takes about 3 hours to arrive in Jianchuan (depending on traffic, road condition, and stops along the way). The whole journey from Old Town Dali to Jianchuan will take around 4.5-5 hours, including time waiting for the bus. It may also be feasible to wave down the bus to Jianchuan from highway just east of Old Town Dali if you can read the Chinese characters for Jianchuan, it could save you the trouble of going south to Xiaguan first, but seating is not guaranteed. Or flag down any of the buses going to Shangri-la and get off in Jianchuan.

From Old Town Lijiang: Purchase a ticket at the main bus station in Lijiang, which is now the place for departures to Jianchuan (NOT the small long distance bus station in northern Lijiang, which no longer serves Jianchuan). Buy a ticket to Jianchuan which will cost ￥30 and take about 1 hour.

From Shangri-la: Take any of the buses going to Dali and get off in Jianchuan.

When you arrive in Jianchuan: Take a bus destined for Jiaohou (喬后) and tell the driver that you want to get off at Shaxi. Unfortunately there are not many of these buses, and a return trip by one of them may be difficult since they are small and fill up quickly. Alternatively and there are mini-bus services just outside of Jianchuan bus station that take about 45 minutes to reach Shaxi (¥23). The bus departs from Jianchuan whenever it is semi-full with passengers. Try not to arrive in Jianchuan too late in the evening or else there may not be enough passengers to fill up a bus to Shaxi. It should also be feasible to catch a mini-bus at the junction for Shaxi (Diannan), 8km south of Jianchuan. Hitching should also be feasible if not preferable!

Landscape Hotel Shuttle Bus: There is also a shuttle bus organised by the Landscape Hotel which takes people between their Shaxi and Dali hotels. The buses run at 9am and 3pm from both locations and can be booked by visiting the hotel or asking your accommodation to ring them. Price is ¥65 each way. It’s an excellent option as it is direct.

Get Around

The main village of Shaxi (Sideng) can be easily toured by walking. It's also feasible to visit the many other villages in Shaxi on foot, however, renting a bicycle would be a quicker and better option. Several shops near the main square offer bicycle rental (¥20 for full day hire) and also some of the guesthouses such as the Dragonfly and 58 Yard. Hiking and horseback riding are the main options for a visit into the mountains around Shaxi.

What to see in Shaxi

• Baoxiang Temple - 宝相寺 | See Shibao Shan

• Shizhong Temple - 石钟寺 | See Shibao Shan

If you buy the ticket at Shizhong Temple, it is ¥20

• Shibao Shan - 石宝山; Stone Treasure Mountain | A fantastic nature reserve and religious site that was one of the first to be officially protected by China in 1982. There are numerous temples and grottoes as well as some fantastic views and walks amongst the old forests. Shibaoshan covers a big mountain area with its main points of interest some times distant kilometers away. Arriving there by taxi it is advisable to ask the driver to take you to some of the further temples (he will not need to pay entrance ticket), as Baoxiang Temple. Going up to the temple there are some families of monkeys that some times turn very aggressive to the visitors. Minor injuries have been reported. Shizhong Temple (Stone Bell Temple) has the highest concentration of stone carvings. If you want to walk from Sideng town: get out of town through the primary street going North, pass a gas station on your left, and on kilometer mark 113 turn left (West) into a dirt road; walk about 20 minutes and reach the southern edge of the Shibaoshan area (it's another 1-2 hours walk uphill to Shizhong Temple).
• Friday Market | As the last remaining market town on the ancient Tea & Horse Caravan trail, Shaxi still hosts the local market every Friday. The Bai people from all the villages in Shaxi Valley and the Yi people from the surrounding mountains all come together to trade everything from fresh produces to supplies and horses. Minority women will be dressed in their colorful traditional costumes, and men will often lead pack mules to carry supplies back to their mountain villages, much like in the days of the Tea & Horse Caravan Trail hundreds of years ago.
• Pear Orchard Temple - Sheltered Mercy Nunnery 慈荫庵 | The temple complex houses four unique shrines on four levels, together representing a mix of Buddhist, Daoist and Chinese folk religious traditions. Originally known as 'Ci Yin An' (Temple of Hidden Compassion), this breath taking multi-level temple complex is known as the Shaxi Pear Orchard Temple. Commanding spectacular views across the valley from its vantage point at the head of Diantou Village, was actually a functioning nunnery for much of its 1,000-year history. Since its complete restoration in 2014 by an American philanthropist and the temple now houses galleries, an organic restaurant, meditation and yoga training spaces as well as clssrooms, gift shop and Shaxi Visitor's Centre.
• Bailong Tan - 白龙潭; White Dragon Pool | A swimmingpool formed by a clear undeground spring, this small lake is believed to be sacred to the local Bai people. It supplies drinking water to the villages in Shaxi Valley.
• Heilong Tan - 黑龙潭; Black Dragon Pool
• Mapingguan Village - 马坪关 | Located between Shaxi Valley and the three major Dianxi salt wells to the west, Mapingguan was an important checkpost during the time of the Tea & Horse Caravan Trail where the government collected tax on the salt trade.

Best things to do in Shaxi

• Hiking | There are a lot of hiking trails in the mountains both to the east and to the west of Shaxi Valley. The trails are what the local villagers use to go between villages, or to collect firewood, wild herbs, and mushrooms. There are no markers and the trails are easy to follow, but a good sense of direction is needed to not get lost.The 46 Horse Pen Hostel hosts weekly guided hikes around the mountains every Saturday. If you're lucky and they'll bring along their two giant dogs to make the hike more fun.
• Cycling | The Shaxi Valley and its numerous villages is a great place to explore on a bicycle. A day spent riding on the small single-track trail between green farm fields can yield many surprises and hidden gems.
• Kayaking | It's feasible to kayak down the shallow and slow moving water of the Heihui River to see Shaxi Valley from a different angle. Starting from the northern edge of Shaxi Valley and Shibaoshan and ends in Sideng village and the water is mostly flatwater, with a couple small dams that can be navigated.Professional guiding is required.
• Horseback riding to Shibaoshan - Shaxi Horse Trekking

Holidays and Festivals

• Torch Festival - 火把节 | A major festival for the Bai and the Yi minorities around Shaxi, it is held every year on the 25th day (24th for the Yi people) of the 8th month on the lunar calendar. The local villagers will light torches and big barn fires everywhere, and dance and sing around the fires.
• Taizihui Holiday - 太子会 | The biggest religious holiday in Shaxi, it is held every year on the 8th day of the second month on the lunar calendar.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Shaxi

• Wood carving | It is feasible to buy wood carvings in Shaxi, but a better place to buy wood carvings is Jianchuan, not the most glamorous destination but a place that is famous in China for its high quality wood carvings (the carvings on sale in Shaxi all come from Jianchuan, so you pay a markup owing to this). If you hire a driver outside the bus station at Jianchuan for a modest fee, he will take you to some of the dozen or so shops located along one road just outside the city, where you can buy some outstanding pieces. Take a sedative beforehand to avoid sticker shock, most of these carvings are expensive.

• Wild mushrooms

Halal Restaurants in Shaxi

To be updated

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Shaxi

Shaxi - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Shaxi, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Shaxi. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Shaxi and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Shaxi. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Shaxi. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inShaxi: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Shaxi.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Shaxi: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Shaxi, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Shaxi.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Shaxi, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Shaxi, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Shaxi and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Shaxi, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Shaxi, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Shaxi without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Shaxi is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Shaxi.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Shaxi is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Shaxi, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Shaxi Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• s.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&1505863&&Old+Theatre+Inn&hotelId=46158001&&.Zzd6cb516f1ea94c66a447c3a-206204 Shaxi Old Theatre Inn - A beautiful restored boutique legacy hotel, housed within an authentically preserved eighteenth-century temple theatre courtyard complex. Three doubles and two twin rooms are available, each with 24hr hot water showers and private western style toilets. All rooms are soundproofed and winterized, have beautiful en suite bathrooms and private shower, along with electric blankets and clerestory windows for extra winter warmth. Facilities include free WiFi, a lounge with TV and DVDs and dining area, laundry service, bike rentals and local English guiding service. With authentic local cuisine and an extensive international list, Shaxi Old Theatre Inn is an excellent out of town alternative for those looking to stay in a rural village setting. The local partner, Mr. Wu speaks English, French and Chinese.
• s.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&1505863&&Tourist+Courtyard+Hotel&hotelId=48915049&&.Zzb1d7a6cd86db441c90f1fbb-206204 Tourist Courtyard Hotel - 22 rooms each with 24hr hot water showers and private western style toilets. Facilities include free WiFi, shared lounge, free laundry, free wifi and a restaurant.

Travel Next

Catch the mini-bus (45 mins, ￥10) to Jianchuan from outside the Shaxi bus station. There are daily buses to many other cities in Yunnan from the Jianchuan bus station. Price and schedule subject to change so better confirm with the Jianchuan bus station when you first arrive in Jianchuan.

Jianchuan and the roads that lead to both Lijiang and Dali are currently quite congested due to large scale road construction of the new Kunming Shangri-La Highway. On the road to Dali, be prepared for long traffic jams and white knuckle encounters with heavy lorries. To go straight to Old Town Dali without getting stuck at the bus station, ask the driver to drop you off at the East Gate, as the bus will pass right near it. Ask your hostel to write this down in Chinese for you. You will save both time and money. If heading to Dali an interesting alternative with much better scenery is the X804 road down through Qiao Hou, Lian Tie and into Yangbi. Mini Buses leave Jianchuan at 7.30am and 1.20 pm everyday, arriving to pick up outside the stationary store in Shaxi Village about one hour later. The fare down to Yangbi is ¥25 and the trip takes about four hours. From Yangbi Station and there are regular buses to Xiaguan (Dali New Town), Xiaohuayuan Qiqezhan every few minutes. The journey takes the old road and is about 40 minutes costing ¥20.

Destination	Price (¥)	Departures	Duration	Last Update
Dali	35.00	Every 15 mins from 6:30am to 6:00pm.	3.5 hrs approx.	March 2022
Lijiang	21.00	4 buses every day: 8:30am, 10:30am,14:30,16:30	2.5 hrs approx.	March 2022
Kunming	130.00, 157.00	9:30am, 6:00pm	8 hrs approx.	March 2022
Zhongdian (Shangri-La)	51.00	8:30am, 9:30am	4 hrs approx.	March 2022 Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd. To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.