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Vero and Li of Feeding Foca travel by shared taxi from Dali to Shaxi, an ancient Bai town between Dali and Lijiang. The ride costs 180 yuan for two people and takes about two hours. In Shaxi they explore the streets, guesthouse, and food market, trying matsutake and black-truffle dishes, noodle soup, and other local food. They meet a food vendor whose resilience and hard work impress them. The couple discuss the role of tea and coffee in town life and walk along the Heihui River, a tributary of the Mekong and part of the ancient Tea Horse Road. Shaxi feels peaceful after day visitors leave, and the vlog ends with a Sunday afternoon among stone bridges, live music, and the town’s streets.
More about the current video:(Published on 2025-04-05)
Arriving in Shaxi
Vero and Li travel by shared taxi from Dali to Shaxi, a preserved ancient town between Dali and Lijiang in Yunnan. The ride costs about 180 yuan for two people and takes around two hours. They stay in a traditional guesthouse decorated with succulents and describe the town as a calm alternative to the larger cities. Shaxi has a strong Bai cultural presence and traditional architecture, and the couple walk its streets with local residents. They notice the importance of tea and coffee in town life and visit small cafes and shops. The quieter atmosphere is especially clear after day visitors leave.
Market food and the Heihui River
Food is a central part of the visit. At the market, Vero and Li try dishes made with regional mushrooms, including matsutake and black truffles, as well as noodle soup. They meet a food vendor whose hard work and resilience impress them, and they talk about the quality of the food. The couple also walk to the Heihui River, a tributary of the Mekong that formed part of the ancient Tea Horse Road. Stone bridges and the surrounding landscape make the riverside a peaceful place to pause.
Shaxi’s daily life and local history emerge through small details: the market, cafes, old streets, and the river route. The couple describe it as a well-preserved town that has not been overwhelmed by mass tourism. A Sunday afternoon can be spent walking, painting, listening to live music, or taking pictures of the stone bridges. Their visit combines food and conversation with time outdoors, and the hosts emphasize the warmth of the people they meet and the town’s Bai heritage. They also discuss how popular weekend visits can bring tourism to the area while changing the experience of local spaces. The couple also talk about the town as a weekend destination for people seeking a break from larger cities. In the evening, the streets become quieter as day visitors leave, which gives them a different impression of the same historic area. They walk between stone bridges, notice the old architecture, and spend time by the river rather than rushing between attractions. Their meals include mushroom dishes as well as noodle soup, and they describe the flavors in detail. At the market, they encounter vendors who sell local produce and cooked food. One vendor in particular impresses them with her resilience and work ethic, despite a physical handicap. The couple speak of her as a role model. Their experience of Shaxi therefore includes a practical route from Dali, the Bai cultural setting, food and drink stops, an old trade-road landscape, and conversations with people who live and work there. The river walk connects the town with the Tea Horse Road, while the market gives them a chance to taste the region’s mushrooms.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What is the best way to reach Shaxi?
- A: Vero and Li take a shared taxi from Dali. They say it cost 180 yuan for two people and took about two hours. The shared ride is a practical way to reach Shaxi, which is less connected than more heavily visited parts of Yunnan.
- Q: What was the weather like during their visit?
- A: The travelers say they were in Shaxi in November and found the temperatures pleasant. They also describe green scenery during their visit.
- Q: What food do they try in Shaxi?
- A: They sample dishes featuring matsutake and black truffles, as well as noodle soup. The couple describe the food positively and spend time at the local market.
- Q: What is Shaxi like?
- A: Vero and Li describe it as a small, peaceful, well-preserved town that feels like stepping back in time. They find the people friendly and the town less affected by mass tourism than other parts of Yunnan.
- Q: Who are the Bai people?
- A: The source describes the Bai as one of China’s 56 recognized minority groups, known for a cultural heritage that includes traditional architecture and local crafts.
