Weishan Ancient City
The birthplace of the Nanzhao Kingdom, also known as Mengh'ua City. The existing Weishan Ancient City was built in the Ming dynasty and preserves well the chessboard-style layout of the Ming and Qing…
Weishan Ancient City, Dali
Key facts
- Admission
- Free
- Opening hours
- All day
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Getting there
- Take a bus from Xiaguan to Weishan County, which takes about 2 hours.
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 228. Open in Google Maps
About Weishan Ancient City
The birthplace of the Nanzhao Kingdom, also known as Mengh'ua City. The existing Weishan Ancient City was built in the Ming dynasty and preserves well the chessboard-style layout of the Ming and Qing periods. The city holds many historical relics and ancient buildings of commemorative and research value.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Weishan Ancient City cost?
Admission to Weishan Ancient City is Free, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
What are the opening hours of Weishan Ancient City?
Weishan Ancient City is open All day.
How do I get to Weishan Ancient City?
Take a bus from Xiaguan to Weishan County, which takes about 2 hours.
How long should I spend at Weishan Ancient City?
Plan on 3–4 hours for Weishan Ancient City.
Where is Weishan Ancient City?
Weishan Ancient City is in Dali, Yunnan Province, in the Southwest of China. Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County
More places in Dali

Cangshan–Erhai National Nature Reserve
“Xiaguan wind, Shangguan flowers, Cangshan snow and Erhai moon” are together known as the Four Scenic Wonders of Dali. Cangshan stretches along the western shore of Erhai Lake, like a pair of lovers standing side by side. Touring Cangshan from Shangguan, you can see the water-eroded cave where Tianlong Babu was filmed, where Duan Yu met his fairy sister and learned his peerless martial arts. From the mountain you can take in the full view of Erhai Lake, and if the weather is clear, you can see the “Cangshan snow” on the summit. On the way down, you can enjoy the “Shangguan flowers” blooming across the hillsides.
There are two cable cars up Cangshan Mountain, and cruises on Erhai Lake: 1. Xima Pool Cable Car round trip ¥335 (includes admission to the Film and Television City and the Geological Park) 2. Gantong Cable Car one way ¥115 (Cangshan admission + cable car). It is recommended to ride up and hike down, as the descent offers views of the Tianlong Babu Film and Television City, Dali Ancient Town and Erhai Lake 3. Erhai Lake cruise ¥142 · 1 day

Dali Ancient Town
People often compare Dali with Lijiang. Dali may lack Lijiang's graceful charm, but it is more unpretentious and expansive. Some say Dali is the birthplace of China's hippie culture. Underground musicians and painters have brought a free-spirited atmosphere here, so it is no wonder people say that after staying in Dali for a while, you may become “decadent.” The whole old town sits with Cangshan Mountain at its back and faces Erhai Lake. Its streets follow a grid layout, and its houses, with stone-slab paths and grey-tiled sloping roofs, reflect Bai architectural style. Traditional customs are still alive in the old town, and you can feel the long history and culture of the Bai people.
3+ hours
Shaxi Ancient Town
Shaxi was once an important post station on the Tea Horse Ancient Road and still retains the look of its days as a tea-horse trading town. The ancient town is home to an old opera stage, Yujin Bridge, Xingjiao Temple, and other sights. Visitors can also enjoy Shaxi Dongjing ancient music, watch the traditional Bai Bawang Whip dance, and taste local specialties such as dicanzi (a local herb), matsutake mushrooms, and goat's milk cake.
¥45 · 1–3 hours
Shibaoshan Scenic Area
Shibaoshan Scenic Area is made up mainly of two sights: Baoxiang Temple and Shibao Mountain. Baoxiang Temple, built on a cliff, is known as the “Hanging Temple of Yunnan.” The surface of Shibao Mountain is covered in cracked red sandstone, the most typical example of Danxia landform. Most remarkable of all is that Shibao Mountain's stone appears to “bloom,” which sets it apart from Danxia landscapes elsewhere.
¥45 · 3+ hours
Nuodeng Ancient Village
Nuodeng Village lies northwest of the Yunlong County seat in Dali Prefecture. The village retains many buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the renowned Yuhuang Pavilion Taoist complex, and numerous Bai residences with distinctive architectural styles. Its quiet, secluded setting feels like a hidden paradise, earning it the name “Thousand-Year-Old Bai Village.” Nuodeng ham is very famous, and you should definitely try it.
Free · 1–3 hours

Xizhou Ancient Town
Xizhou Ancient Town lies with Cangshan Mountain to its west and Erhai Lake to its east. It is a Bai historic and cultural town with over a thousand years of history. Bai residential architecture is a hallmark of Xizhou, dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and its most representative buildings are the Yan and Yang family compounds. Xizhou posu bingba, a crispy pastry, is a famous local snack.
Free · 4–5 hours