Weishan Ancient City

Weishan Ancient City is situated in western part of Yunnan Province, 50 kilometers (30 miles) away from Dali Ancient City. The whole city centers on Xinggong Tower and contains 25 streets and 18 lanes whose layout resembles the shape of a chessboard. Inside it, there are many well preserved buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912). 

Paying a visit to Weishan Ancient City is a good chance to experience a slow-paced life, learn about local culture and taste delicious local snacks. When visitors are stepping into Weishan Ancient city, the first impression they have of this ancient city is white wall, grey tile, carved wooden doors, stone roads and big black signs with golden characters. There are many small stores selling snacks, souvenirs, or antiques along the street.
 

What to Do in Weishan Ancient City

Gongchen Tower

Gongchen Tower is on the north gate of Weishan Old Town. There are two boards with inscriptions hanging up on its south and north respectively. When visitors stand in the tower, they will have a panoramic view of Weishan Ancient City. 
 

Menghua Old House (Liu’s Compound)

Menghua Old House is the largest and best preserved ancient residential house in Weishan Old Town. The whole building complex inherits the style of folk houses in central China while adopting some unique features of local ethnic architecture. It was once used as residential place as well as commercial shops containing one screen wall, three lanes, five courtyards and six wells.
 

Mengyang Park

Mengyang Park is the largest park in Weishan Ancient City. At first glance, a large scale of trees with thick leaves appear. When stepping into the park, you can see many delicate pavilions shaded by trees. Moreover, the Confucius Temple and Weishan County Library both lie inside the park.
 

Food Street

There is a special street dedicated to selling local dishes. In the morning, many people enjoy having fried eggs as breakfast. Guojiang Ersi, like noodles with meat, is also a popular choice. When it is time for lunch, noodles are highly welcomed. You may feel amazed that the boiled noodles are cut from a long handmade noodle, which is wrapped on a plate before boiling. The local desserts are also worth a taste, and this kind of local cake with three colors: green, yellow and white, are made from green bean, corn and rice.
 

Historical Sites

Despite what is mentioned above, visitors can also see a series of remaining sites dating back to Ming and Qing Dynasties, including Guandi Temple, God of Fortune Temple, the Sun Palace and so on. All these buildings are built in a delicate style and show the prosperity of the old city and the superb architectural artistry.
 

How to Get to Weishan Ancient City from Dali

From Dali Ancient City, take bus no. 4 to Dali Railway Station, take a bullet train there to Weishan Railway Station, then take a green bus to Weishan ancient city.

 Nearby Attraction: Donglianhua Village

- Last updated on May. 13, 2024 by Gabby Li -