Shaxi Valley
Sometimes a bumpy, dirt road is a curse and sometimes it is a blessing. As far as sustainable tourism is concerned in the hidden Shaxi Valley, it is certainly a blessing. Countless Bai and Yi minority communities are hidden away in the hills and valleys of Jianchuan County. The legendary tourism destinations of Lijiang and Dali are just enough mountain passes away to keep the attention off of Shaxi. At the center of the valley Sideng village marks the region’s most historical section, a major stop on the ancient tea caravan trade route through southern Asia. The village’s quiet streets and impressively restored traditional architecture is simply charming. Nearby, the grottoes at Shibao Mountain and the secluded village of Mapingguan provide beautiful and leisurely hiking options.
