Shaxi ancient town is a historic market town located halfway between Dali and Lijiang. Not yet developed as a tourist destination, this town retains its standing as a true "old town", not one which has been rebuilt and manufactured. With the new highway being built not far away, access will be easier in the future, more tourists are likely to make the journey. For now it is still a hidden gem.
　　Shaxi ancient town started life as a trading point for tea and horses during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The town reached the height of its prosperity during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1912). Today, it is probably the most intact horse caravan town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road leading from Yunnan in to Burma and Tibet. As a stop along this transcontinental artery, tea, salt, silk and porcelain from Middle Kingdom flew out, while horses, yak butter from Tibet, rugs from Xinjiang, extravagance and exotic goods from Middle East flew in. The discovery of salt resulted in its meteoric rise and unprecedented boom. In no time, Shaxi Ancient Town gained a new identity: the distribution center of salt.  Tibet, western and northern Yunnan all craved for this essential good. With the glamour of Tea Horse Road fades away gradually, Shaxi Ancient Town recedes into obscurity silently, yet with dignity.
　　In 2001, a Sweden scholar chanced upon this town. Scratching the surface, he was amazed by its well-preserved complexes and historical significance. In 2002, it was included in List of 100 Most Endangered Sites evaluated by World Monuments Fund.Today, this untouched kingdom harbors a wealth of millennia-old establishments, opera stages, cobbled laneways and vestiges betraying its ancient history, cultural significance and glory. With world-renowned fame, it is free from world-renowned tourists. For those who want to embrace history, half a day’s exploration will be both refreshing and rewarding.
　　Shaxi ancient town also has its Square Street, which is its center. Shaxi's Square Street is a plaza covered with red sand bricks, with two centuries-old Chinese scholar trees standing in the center.This street is a fully functioning millennium-old ancient bazaar, with a collection of temples, an ancient stage, shops, a caravansary, a wide street surface covered with red sand stone slabs, centuries-old trees, ancient alleyways, and ancient village gates.The meandering Heihui River runs through Shaxi from north to south in the east. There is a crescent-shaped ancient bridge, Yujin Bridge, across the river, which is set off by distant towering green mountains.Yujin River was built in the Kangxi Period of the Qing Dynasty. After several centuries of collapse and destruction due to war, it was rebuilt in 1931. It has a height of 6 meters , 35.4 meters length, 5 meters width, and fences made of stone slabs.The ancient stage is the soul of Shaxi. Everyone that comes to Shaxi for the first time will marvel at its unique architectural structure and exquisite craftsmanship. It is the most distinctive building on Square Street.This stage was built in the Qing Dynasty. It is a three-story Kuixin pavilion with a stage. The front is the stage, and the back is the pavilion. It's a special structure with cornices and 14 flying eave corners.It is incredible that there is such a gorgeous and delicate stage standing under the blue sky and white clouds in this out-of-the-way town.