The Cradle of Lijiang: Discovering Naxi Heritage and Sacred Murals at Baisha Ancient Town

The Ancestral Heart of Lijiang

Located approximately 10 kilometers north of Lijiang Ancient Town, at the foot of the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, lies Baisha Ancient Town. Sitting at an altitude of 2,400 meters, Baisha is widely recognized as the cradle of the Naxi people's political and cultural history in the Lijiang basin. Before the famous Mu chieftains moved their headquarters to Dayan (present-day Lijiang Old Town) in the Ming Dynasty, Baisha served as the capital of the Naxi Kingdom and the political center of the region for centuries. Unlike its more commercialized neighbors, Baisha retains the authentic, slow-paced atmosphere of a traditional Naxi settlement, making it a living museum of history and culture,,.

The Mystery of the Baisha Murals

The most renowned treasure of the town is the Baisha Murals (Baisha Bihua), housed primarily in the Dabaoji Palace and the Liuli Temple. Created over a span of 300 years from the early Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty (roughly 1385–1619 AD), these murals are a masterpiece of religious and artistic integration. They are unique in the world for depicting figures from Buddhism, Taoism, and Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism) together in a single painting, alongside Naxi Dongba gods. This artistic syncretism reflects the open and inclusive nature of the Naxi rulers of that era. The painting style blends the fine brushwork of the Han Chinese with the vivid colors and lines of Tibetan thangkas and the rustic charm of Naxi art, creating a visual language that is both solemn and lively,,.

A Living Fossil of Music and Tradition

1.Walking through the unpaved streets of: Baisha, you might hear the haunting melodies of Baisha Fine Music (Baisha Xiyue). This classical orchestral music, dating back to the Yuan and Ming dynasties, is considered a "living fossil" of Chinese music history. It combines local Naxi folk tunes with influences from Taoist ritual music and ancient Persian melodies brought by the Mongols. The town is also a hub for traditional handicrafts. You can visit workshops where artisans continue the centuries-old practice of copperware making, their hammers creating a rhythmic soundtrack to village life. Additionally, the town is famous for Naxi embroidery and traditional dyeing, preserving skills that have been passed down through generations,,.

The Authentic Naxi Life

2.The heart of the town is Sifang: Street (Square Street), a layout that predates the more famous one in Lijiang Old Town. Here, local Naxi grandmothers in traditional blue aprons sell fresh vegetables, herbal medicines, and handmade crafts. The architecture in Baisha remains largely untouched by modern development, featuring traditional timber-frame houses with tiled roofs and "Three坊One照壁" (three rooms and one screen wall) courtyards. The town offers an unobstructed, spectacular view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which looms directly to the north, providing a stunning backdrop to the rustic village scenery. It is a place where travelers can escape the noise and witness the genuine daily life of the Naxi people,,.