A Canvas of Gods and Mortals: Unveiling the Spiritual and Artistic Fusion of the Baisha Murals

The Cradle of Lijiang Culture

Located approximately 10 kilometers north of Lijiang Ancient Town, nestled at the southern foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, lies the quiet and historic Baisha Ancient Town. This area was the birthplace of the Mu family, the hereditary chieftains who ruled Lijiang for centuries, and served as the political, economic, and cultural center of the Naxi people before the capital moved to Dayan (the current Old Town) in the Ming Dynasty. Unlike the commercial bustle of Lijiang Old Town, Baisha retains a serene, authentic atmosphere of traditional Naxi life. The crown jewel of this heritage is the Baisha Murals, a stunning collection of paintings housed within ancient religious complexes like the Dabaoji Palace (Great Treasure Palace) and the Liuli Temple (Glass Hall). These murals are not just art; they are a visual encyclopedia of the Dongba culture and a testament to the region's history as a vital hub on the Tea Horse Road,.

A Masterpiece of Cultural Fusion

1.The creation of the Baisha: Murals spanned from the early Ming Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty, lasting over 300 years. What makes them unique in the history of Chinese art is their extraordinary "inclusive" nature. Under the open-minded rule of the Mu chieftains, artists from the Han, Tibetan, Naxi, and Bai ethnic groups collaborated to create these works. The result is a distinctive artistic style that blends the vigorous lines of Tibetan thangka painting, the detailed brushwork of traditional Han landscapes, and the bold colors of Naxi folk art. This fusion is most evident in the religious themes depicted: you will find images of Buddhist Buddhas (both Han and Tibetan traditions), Taoist deities, and Naxi Dongba spirits coexisting harmoniously in the same painting—a rare phenomenon in religious art history,,.

The Dabaoji Palace

The most famous and well-preserved murals are located in the Dabaoji Palace. Among the 12 extant murals here, the painting on the west wall, "The Assembly of Sakyamuni," is considered a national treasure. It depicts the Buddha Sakyamuni in the center, surrounded by a diverse array of over 100 figures, including the Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism, the Three Pure Ones of Taoism, and various Naxi gods. The figures are portrayed with vivid expressions and intricate details, using mineral pigments like cinnabar, gold, and malachite that have retained their brilliance for centuries. The composition breaks away from strict religious hierarchy, incorporating scenes of secular life such as fishing, woodcutting, weaving, and dancing, reflecting the Naxi people's love for nature and life.

Liuli Temple and Beyond

2.Adjacent to the palace is the Liuli: Temple, built during the Ming Dynasty. The murals here are older and feature a style more heavily influenced by Han Taoist art, yet they still incorporate Naxi elements like specific cloud patterns. Other sites like the Dading Pavilion and Wenchang Palace also house significant works. The Dading Pavilion murals are noted for their refined lines and depictions of beautiful figures in garden settings, echoing the literati painting style of the Central Plains. The Wenchang Palace murals, primarily Taoist, utilize a narrative style similar to comic strips to tell stories of the Wenchang Emperor, serving a didactic purpose for the local population,.

A Living Heritage

3.Visiting the Baisha: Murals is also an opportunity to explore the surrounding Baisha Ancient Town. Walking through the "Sifang Street" (Square Street), you can see traditional Naxi architecture, elderly women in traditional dress selling local vegetables, and artisans crafting copperware or embroidery. The town is also a center for Naxi Ancient Music, a "living fossil" of music history that blends local folk tunes with ancient Taoist ritual music. The combination of the static beauty of the murals and the living culture of the town offers a profound connection to the spiritual and artistic soul of the Naxi people,,.