Located between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, 18 km north of Dali Ancient Town, Xizhou is a millennia-old Bai settlement and a national historic town, hailed as the "Museum of Bai Folk Houses".

Dating back to the Nanzhao Kingdom (8th century), it flourished as a key Tea Horse Road trading hub, home to the prosperous Xizhou Merchant Gang. It preserves over 100 well-preserved Bai residences from Ming, Qing and Republican eras, featuring the classic "three courtyards with one screen wall" style, adorned with intricate woodcarvings and colorful paintings. Highlights include the iconic Yan's Compound, the bustling Sifang Street, and the famed Xizhou Baba (flaky flatbread). Visitors can experience Bai tie-dye, Three-Course Tea, and folk performances, immersing in authentic Bai culture amid serene rural landscapes