Shibao Grottoes

The Tang dynasty grottoes at Shibao Mountain are another one of Yunnan’s secrets hidden away in the mountains near Lijiang and Dali . Known as the Shizhong (pronounced shur-johng) Grottoes, these carvings represent the presence of Mahayana Buddhism in northern Yunnan which arrived via Tibet. A few temples dot the remote hillsides in the area around the Shaxi valley creating some excellent day hiking options. Keep an eye out for curious monkeys in the wildlife preserve also set on the mountain. The old road from Lijiang to Dali winds through quaint hillside communities spared from much modern development.