This ancient walled town is tucked into the Dali Prefecture of China’s Yunnan Province. It is well off the tourist trail, attracting mainly independent travelers who are yearning for a less commercial experience.
The highlight of Weishan is its excellent collection of Ming- and Qing-dynasty architecture. Construction began around six centuries ago, and while intermittent wars prompted rebuilding campaigns, a great deal of what stands today is authentic and original. This puts Weishan in contrast to more commercialized historic cities in Yunnan that have been dramatically rebuilt since the 1980s.
There are four main streets in Weishan, with dozens of side streets forming a tidy network that often gets compared to a chess board. Immediately outside of town is Weibao Shan, a beautiful mountainside concealing a dozen ancient Taoist temples that are still in operation.
Getting There & Away
Weishan is the local county seat and has the best selection of transport options in the immediate area. The fastest way to and Weishan is through Dali, a much larger city roughly 40 miles away. Buses take between 1 and 2 hours to navigate the foothills. The airport in Dali is a new addition to China’s transport scheme and mainly operates flights to the international hub in Kunming (45 minutes).
Things to Do
Weishan Attractions
- Confucian Temple
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The most impressive structure in weishan, this temple boasts beautiful carvings and paintings.
- Mansions
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There are a few qing-dynasty palaces in town including the sun palace and dongyue palace.