We visit the small town of Xizhou (喜州), about 20km north of Dali. It is a rarity in Yunnan
where the Bai people still live in traditional houses with exquisite Qing architecture. There are more than 200 houses dating from the Qing Dynasty listed as national heritage houses. Xizhou was famous for talented craftsmen and they travelled extensively in Southeast Asia to build and decorate houses. When they made their fortune, they returned to Xizhou to build their own dream home
Ancient architecture of the Qing Dynasty
Big doggie
Yellow bean noodle is a common street food in Xizhou
Slow roasted beneath charcoal
How can stir fried broad beans be this tasty!?
Our lunch table
We continue the drive to Lijiang
Halfway Stopover Point
View from the stopover point
Little girl who takes care of the stopover house
Some strange food
Greeted by friendly children just as we enter Lijiang
Lijiang Old Town is the home of the Nazi people. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is more than 800 years old. Located at the junction of two rivers, it was visited by traders along the old tea horse road. It is famous for its orderly system of waterways and bridges.
You need to take note that there is an Old Town and a New Town. The old town is where you should spend your time. All the small inns are beautiful, just pick one you fancy and ask for a room. The bigger hotels are located in the New Town which is nowhere as fun
We arrive at the Tea Boutique Hotel. It is really an inn but an extremely beautiful one.
We are greeted by the most adorable pug called 笨笨, meaning "silly silly" in Mandarin
Ground flour of the Tea Boutique Inn
Door to our room
In the room
The beds are heated during the cold seasons
Stairs that lead up to the rooms
A nice bathroom. It was really cold, so the hot ceiling lights were very welcome
Our dinner place. The food is fantastic, do look for House no. 57 and try for yourself
The old stove
The unforgettable chicken stew with matsutake mushrooms
Old couple at the next table
We take a slow walk around the neighbourhood post-dinner
Wedding studio
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 Puerh Tea Shop |
You can take a seat and taste the teas
Back to the inn
Dining Area
Common sitting area
Entrance to the Inn
Room on level 2
