Weishan Ancient Town, Dali
Chinese Name: 巍山古城
English Name: Weishan Old Town, Dali
Opening Hours: all the day
Entrance Fee: free
Keywords: Ancient Town of Nanzhao Kingdom, Cradle of Nanzhao Culture, Chinese Famous Historic and Cultural City
Location: Weishan Yi and Hui Nationalities Autonomous County, Dali Bai Nationality Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
Weishan Ancient Town
Weishan Ancient Town is located at the foot of Ailao Mountain. It is a historical and cultural city known as the cradle of Nanzhao Kingdom. First built in Yuan Dynasty, Weishan Ancient Town has been changed to the brick city and remained the style and features until today. As the place that carry out Tusi System for the longest time in Yunnan, the long history of Weishan breeds numerous temples, echoing with the natural landscape at the diatance.
Why is Weishan Ancient Town so special?
Weishan Ancient Town is the birthplace of Nanzhao culture. Center on Gongcheng Tower, the streets in Weishan Old Town present standard grid-beam structure. In total of 25 streets and 18 alleys, the residences in Weishan Ancient Town remain the traditional Chinese construction. Among them, the residences along the principal axis preserve the architectural style and features of Ming and Qing Dynasty. Unsophisticated folk custom, profound culture and favorable climate form the tranquility of Weishan people.
Where is Weishan Ancient Town?
Weishan Ancient Town is located at the foot of Ailao Mountain. It is the important town of Dali City, Yunnan Province.
How to Get to Weishan Ancient Town?
From Xiaguan, the big town just south of Dali ancient town, take a bus from the Southwest bus station (西南站), there is bus every 15 minutes, so you won’t have to wait to long. It’s a one hour drive. Once at the bus station, take a tuk-tuk for 5 RMB to the Weishan Old Town. The driver will drop you at the Gongchen Tower Gate, in the middle of the ancient town.
History of Weishan Ancient Town
Weishan Ancient Town retains the layout of chessboard built 600 years ago, which is the best preserved ancient architectural complex of Ming and Qing dynasties.There were villages in Weishan Town in early Tang Dynasty. Duan began to construct the town with clay in Yuan and turned into brick town in Ming Dynasty.It maintains not only the architecture of Ming and Qing, but also the civil structure of Bai’s residence houses.
Weishan is the famous historical and cultural town of China, also the birthplace of Nanzhao culture.It is also the town which keeps the chieftain system longest time.
Main Attractions
Xinggong Tower(星拱楼) & Gongchen Tower(拱辰楼)
There are four city gate in four directions in Weishan Old Town, which is shaped like a square seal. As the remarkable building in Weishan Old Town, the Xinggong Tower is built in the center in Ming Dynasty. At a height of 11 meters, it consists of timberwork tower and brick foundation support.
The north city tower of Weishan Old Town is called Gongchen Tower with a height of 23.5 meters. The whole building was supported by 28 large pillars. Climbing up from the east or west gate and overlooking, travelers can clearly see the four main streets extending to different directions and the dignified residences.
Majestically standing in the Weishan Old Town, the Xinggong Tower and Gongchen Tower has been the remarkable building. Inside the old town, the folk residences basically remain the traditional Chinese construction style of Ming and Qing Dynasty. Some are ‘Three Square with a Screen Wall’ and some are ‘Quadrangle Dwellings with Five Courtyards’. There are also many ancient buildings existed inside or outside Weishan Old Town, such as Confucius Temple, Wenhua Academy and Yuhuang Pavillion. Some exports praise highly after investigation of Weishan Old Town because of the intact preservation of Ancient Town.
Weibao Mountain is one of 14 famous Taoist Mountains of China, enjoying the most and grandest Taoist monasteries. It is also the national forest park. Weibao Mountain offers lots of tall and straight trees, like a green lion viewing the ancient town and Guajiang River. It collects the charming landscape, original culture of Nanzhao amd Taoist culture.
Yuanjue Temple
Yuanjue Temple is hidden in the forest, enjoying the charming scenery. Among pine trees in front of temple stand the tall towers, which are the dense-eave brick tower. The straight trees, tall towers and ancient temple make a peaceful picture.
Recommended Tours
1 Day Weishan Snack Festival Tour
Nearby Attractions
Weibao Mountain (巍宝山), also known as Weishan Mountain, is one of the birthplaces of the Nanzhao. In the past, he local Yi people held a temple fair in Weibao Mountain, which is the ancestral holy land of the Yi people. Today, Weibao Mountain enjoys the flourishing vegetation, towering trees and booming flowers. It is one of the famous Taoist mountains of China.
Donglianhua Village is a village of Hui ethnic minority. It is one of the Muslim communities with the most traditional Hui culture in the Weishan County, enjoying the most quaint folk customs, the most colorful folk customs and the richest traditional culture. The whole village offers a flat terrain and convenient transportation. Its foundation can be trace back to early Ming Dynasty. There is also an important bridge built on the Bonan Ancient Road(博南古道) in the Wanli Period of the Ming Dynasty – Yongji Bridge(永济桥), which preserves Zhaozhong Temple in the Qing Dynasty and Du Wenxiu Uprising Site, also the Cultural relics protection units such as the military field, Dadongmen, and the masses.
Cangshan Mountain,located west of Dali Ancient Town and Erhai Lake, is with nineteen peaks and eighteen streams. Travelers can take cableways to reach the top of Cangshan Mountain or explore the breathtaking scenery along Jade Cloud Road.
Dali Ancient Town is a historic town with rich culture located between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. Unlike any other Chinese town, the traditional Bai ethnic houses give the town distinctive feel. Travelers can wonder in this leisure town to appreciate the unique ethnic architecture and discover its profound history and culture.
Erhai Lake (Ear-shaped Sea), reputed as “Pearl of Plateau”, is the second largest highland lake of Yunnan. Taking a boat and cycling around the lake are fantastic ways to explore “Silver Cangshan Mountain and Jade Erhai Lake” scenery.
Best Time to Visit Weishan Ancient Town
March and April is the best time to visit Weishan Ancient Town, during that time there are a lot of festivals and activities. Lots of festivals and activities of Bai nationality centered on period from March to April every year, traveling during this time tourists can enjoy the full-bodied ethnic customs. Tourists can choose to go during the Third Month Fair (from March 15 to March 21 in lunar calendar, the west of Dali Sanyue Street) and Butterfly Activity (April 15 in lunar calendar in Butterfly Spring).
Useful Travel Tips
Before Visit to Weishan Ancient Town
Weishan County is located in the south of Dali and the west of Yunnan Province. Ancient buildings and relics assemble and natural scenery gather here, such as Weibao Mountain, Yuanjue Temple, Weishan Old Town and Weishan Confucius Temple.
Ethnic Minority in Weishan Ancient Town
The preeminence and quintessence of the Yi’s Dage in Weishan live in its long history, integrated configurations, rich cultural connotations, different values and functions. In Torch Festival, people from all directions gather together and sing around the torch. Moreover, the Dongjing Music enjoys good frame.
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