Shaxi suits travellers who already know Dali and want a quiet small market town on the old Tea Horse Road. It is best as an overnight stop, because the road journey is long enough to rule out a rushed day trip.
If your schedule is already full, Shaxi is the stop to drop. If you have a spare night, it can be the most peaceful part of the trip.
What is Shaxi, and who is it for?
Shaxi is a small town in the hills of Dali prefecture, once a trading stop on the Tea Horse Road, where caravans carried tea and goods across the mountains. Its market square and old inns give it a more preserved feel than busier tourist towns.
It suits return visitors, photographers and history lovers who like quiet lanes. It is not for anyone who needs a long list of attractions each day.
How long do you need?
Give it one night, with an afternoon arrival and a slow morning. A day trip from Dali leaves very little time on the ground.
Our guide to Xizhou or Shaxi as a base compares the two quiet towns for stays. The pace checker shows whether adding a night here makes the rest of the route too tight.
How do you get there?
Fly into Kunming, then take the high-speed train to Dali. That line has run since July 2018, with about one train an hour[1].
From Dali, arrange a private car, because public transport is slow and hard to read without Chinese. Plan most of a morning for the transfer, and ask your driver to confirm the pick-up spot for the return.
What should you do there?
Keep the schedule simple and let the town set the pace.
- Walk the market square and the old stone lanes.
- Visit the old temple and gateway if you want some history.
- Take an unhurried meal at a small restaurant.
- Wander into the fields at the edge of town for views.
Carry cash as a back-up, because renminbi cash is legal tender and merchants are urged to accept it[2]. Google services and WhatsApp are blocked in mainland China[3], so keep your plans offline.
What about seniors and Muslim travellers?
Seniors do well once they arrive, but the road leg is the real effort. Keep the afternoon free and avoid stacking a long transfer with another early start.
Halal food needs planning in a small town. Look for the green 清真 sign and Hui-run places, since the Hui avoid pork[4], and ask about the kitchen. Carry snacks as a back-up, and read our guide for Muslim travellers before you go.
When is another option better?
If you want a gentler transfer, choose Xizhou, which is much closer to Dali. If you want something livelier, stay in the Dali Old Town.
Browse the attractions topic page to see how Shaxi fits the rest of your route.