Shaxi is a small valley town in Yunnan where the old Tea-Horse Road still passes through a working market square. Caravans once carried tea and other goods between Yunnan and Tibet along this road, and Shaxi’s main square, Sideng, is one of the few places where the market of those days is still standing. It sits between Dali and Lijiang, and it’s a good place to stay for a night or two.
| Distance | 32 km from Jianchuan |
|---|---|
| Sideng Street | the only surviving old market on the Tea-Horse Road |
| World Monuments Fund listing | October 2001 |
| Revival project | from 2002 |
| Bai share of population | 84% |
Sideng Street and the Tea-Horse Road
Shaxi is in Jianchuan county in the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, about 32 kilometers from the county town. Sideng Street is described in Chinese sources as the only surviving old market on the Tea-Horse Road. The town was a stop for the caravans, and the square, the old theater and the traditional courtyard houses (the Ouyang, Yang and Zhao compounds among them) are still there. The Bai, one of Yunnan’s major ethnic groups, make up about 84 percent of the population.
The restoration
In October 2001 the World Monuments Fund placed Sideng Street on its list of 101 most endangered sites. A revival project began in 2002, following a principle usually translated as “repair as old, minimal intervention, maximum retention.” It has been praised by UNESCO and other organizations as a model of careful restoration. In 2012 the village of Sideng was named a traditional Chinese village.
Shibaoshan grottoes and Xingjiao Temple
Beyond the town, the Shibaoshan grottoes were carved in the time of the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms and are among the most important sites in the region for their art and history. Together with Xingjiao Temple and the Jianchuan section of the Tea-Horse Road, they are on China’s list of key national sites.
When to go and how long to stay
Shaxi is quiet and best taken slowly: one or two nights allows a walk through the valley as well as the old square. It’s on the way between Dali and Lijiang, so many travelers break the trip here. See our guides to Lijiang and Kunming, and our China tours.
Planning Shaxi with Absolute Asia Tours
Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. For Shaxi that means a stop built into a Dali to Lijiang route, a guesthouse in a restored courtyard, and a guide who can explain the Tea-Horse Road. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. Tell us your dates and we’ll plan from there.
Sources (read in Chinese, Chinese Wikipedia): 沙溪镇 (剑川县), 茶马古道. Last checked November 2026.
Shaxi: FAQ
What is Shaxi known for?
Sideng Street, described as the only surviving old market on the Tea-Horse Road.
Where is Shaxi?
In Jianchuan county, Dali prefecture, Yunnan, 32 kilometers from the county town.
What is the Shaxi restoration project?
A revival project that began in 2002, following the principle of repair as old and minimal intervention.
What are the Shibaoshan grottoes?
Stone carvings from the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms near Shaxi.
How many days do you need in Shaxi?
One or two nights.
Who lives in Shaxi?
Mostly Bai people, about 84 percent of the population.
Photo: Rod Waddington, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
