Baisha Old Town/Village, Lijiang

Baisha Ancient town got its name of “Baisha,” meaning “white sand,” from the typical natural white sand in the area. Baisha was the earliest settlement of the Naxi people. To be found today are many ancient constructions that were originally built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), for example, Dabaoji Palace, Liuli Temple, and Wenchang Palace. The well-known Baisha Frescoes can be seen in Dabaoji Palace.

As mentioned earlier, Baisha Ancient Town was the cradle of the ancient Mu clan. The Mu family was famous for their exceptional city planning skills and experience. Early in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the emperor of the Nanzhao state named Yulong Snow Mountain “North-Yue,” meanwhile the ancestors of the Mu clan began to build North-Yue Temple and the town’s streets. These constructions were examples of the golden age of Baisha. Later in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the town prospered further and became the economic, political, and cultural center of the city of Lijiang.

The town’s central district is characterized by clusters of temples called "Mudu," as well as a huge square symbolizing the political power and influence of the Mu clan at the time.  Water was channeled from Yulong Snow Mountain into the town for irrigation purposes and water supply, which could be considered one of the earliest examples of irrigation engineering works in China. Then throughout the Ming (1268-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) Dynasties, the Mu family gradually migrated to the town of Dayan.

Baisha Ancient Town’s architectural complex is made of 2 parts: the folk residence zone, and the cultural sites. The folk residence area is called "Peng Shi Zhi" in the local language, meaning the "White Sand Streets," And all the streets were constructed oriented from north to south. In the town center, there is a square where 3 main avenues intersect. Houses and small stores line up on both sides of the streets, and a crystal-clear brook meanders around all the homes, cutting through the small town from north to south.

At the end of Baisha Old Street, there is a huge cluster of temples that were built in the Yongle era (1402-1424) of the Ming Dynasty. It consists of 3 yards: Sutra Collection Pavilion which is the dooryard, Liuli Temple which is the cloisters, and Dabaoji Palace which is the backyard. The palace occupies an area of about 73 square meters. Among the 28 fresco groups in the palace, with the painting of Sakyamuni explaining the sutra passages to his disciples is the most famous and valuable one. The frescos were created by Han artists in collaboration with Tibetan artists.

Baisha Murals

The 44 pieces of murals here were carved in the early Ming Dynasty. Most of the paintings depict religious stories from Taoism, Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism. They also exemplify the artistic characteristics of the Naxi, Tibetan, Han, and Bai ethnic groups. Among them, the paintings of Guan Yin and Sakyamuni are the most famous. Perhaps more than anything, the Baisha Frescos, also known as Lijing Frescos, have become precious data for studying the history of Chinese arts and religion.

Also present in the palace are a collection of mural paintings and more than 100 statues depicting ancient tales with their fine lines, smooth carvings, rich colors, vivid patterns, and harmonious composition. Most of these old stories are religious tales and activities of Taoism, Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism. They are valuable treasures of China’s painting history and cultural heritage.

Dabaoji Palace and Murals

Dabaoji Palace and its Frescoes - The famous frescoes of Baisha can be seen in the Dabaoji Palace. The palace is situated at the very end of Baisha’s main street in the cluster of different temples there. The Dabaoji Palace is said to be the very backyard of the said cluster of temples.

It is made out of 28 sets of frescoes that emulate the Sakyamuni explanation of the different passages of the sutra. Aside from the fact that these are beautiful and vibrant representations of the artistic side of the Mu people, these frescoes also represent the different philosophical beliefs of Buddhism and Taoism.

Overall Systematized Planning - Apart from the many temples in the village, visitors will also be amazed by the fact that the Mu people were adept at systematized planning. This place has many temples and palaces that make it a wonderful representation of China’s ancient cities. The artistic flair and architectural knowledge of the Mu people is seen in how Baisha has been put up and preserved since the beginning of time. During the Song Dynasty’s political period, Baisha became the center of power for the whole of Liang City.

Ancient Irrigation System - An ancient irrigation system was constructed for the whole of Baisha Village. The Mu people were able to channel the village’s water supply from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; this is said to be one of the oldest irrigation systems.

Dading Pavilion

Dading Pavilion - Near the Dabaoji Palace is the famous Dading Pavilion dated back to the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It also contains various murals and paintings that represent the same artistic side of the village’s ancient people. There are 16 well-preserved mural paintings that were made during the Qing Dynasty.

As a contrast to the murals and paintings found in the Dabaoji Palace, the murals and paintings found here are more precise in the bright colors used. They also represent the cultural side of China as a whole. As the murals are painted with an organic pigment, do not touch them. Also, you cannot take their pictures.

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How to Travel to Baisha Ancient Village

Baisha village lies 10km north of Lijiang ancient town, west to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, south to Longquan Village, West to Zhishan Mountain.

To get to Baisha Village, you can just get a taxi or take a bus ride from Lijiang City. You can also acquire a bicycle from the city and ride your way to the village. You can also take a bus ride to the said village by specifically taking Bus Number 6 and dismounting at the crossing going to Baisha.