Thirty-three km from Xiaguan, the town of Xizhou is lying by the side of Erhai Lake and the Wanhua Brook. Historically, it was a military fortress of Nanzhao Kingdom and a temporary palace of the King of Nanzhao.
Xizhou is not only a famous historic city, but also a typical commercial town for Bai people. It is one of the cradles of National capitalism of Bai people, and a famous hometown to overseas Chinese in Yunnan. So, you have to peruse Xizhou first if you really want to understand Dali and Bai people.
The center of Xizhou Town is the Square Street. There are four big families living in the Town: Yan, Dong, Yang and Zhao. The houses of every family have their own features.
Bai business families doing business throughout China built their homes richly and delicately here, and extensively decorated. The Bai people have sought to preserve their houses and traditions. During the Cultural Revolution, an army garrison protected this town. Nowadays, the comparably wealthy Bai families still live in most of the national heritage listed private houses, but some houses are open to the public. One such house is the Yan family house. Unlike many other ancient towns and areas in China, this town has not been as commercialized and developed for tourism. Since the town is so well preserved, if you want to understand Bai culture and Dali, it is important to visit the town of Xizhou.
Bai people generally decorate the gate to their gardens and houses. A traditionally styled Bai house has a wall called the shining wall. When the sun sets, the sunlight shines on the wall and then reflects into the yard, making the whole yard bright. So the wall is called the "shining wall." There are four big Bai clans named Yan, Dong, Yang and Zhao. Each clan builds and decorates their houses distinctively.
There is a small square in the center of the town surrounded by shops. Good souvenirs of dyed cloth or marble crafts and art may be bought there. The quality is good, but you have to bargain to get a lower price.
How to get there:
you can take the minicars from Xiaguan to Lijiang along the Yunnan-Tibet Highway, and get off in Xizhou Town. The travel will cost you 5-8 yuan and take you 1 hour. You can go back in the same day if you want. You can also take motorcycles, of course.
Tips:
1) You can take minicars to Xizhou Town from the Ancient City of Dali or Xiaguan. The minicars run along the Yunnan-Tibet Highway and will stop whenever you want to get on. The price is 5-8 yuan. The travel from Xiaguan to Xizhou Town will take you about 1 hour. You can go back during the same day. You can also stay over night in Xizhou and take part in the local parties, and then visit nearby sights such as the Butterfly Spring the next day.
2) The four courtyards close the door at 18:00.
3) You walk only 30 kilometers from between Yunnong Peak and Canglang Peak of Xizhou Town to get to Huadian Plain. The Plain is a good place for you to go camping and have picnics in the turn of spring and summer. Numerous flowers, the Small Cangshan Mountain and many brooks in the mountain make a charming picture. There is a natural village of Bai people in the area..