Shaxi town in Yunnan sees tourism boom after restoration
Updated: April 27, 2025 20:12Xinhua
A tourist (L) tries to make a piece of local traditional woodblock print known as Jiama at Sideng Village of Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 18, 2025. A remote town in Jianchuan County, Shaxi was once an important trading hub for tea, herbs, silks and salt on the ancient Tea Horse Road, a trade route dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). However, the trading hub in the late 19th century saw a decline because it was far away from emerging modern arterial roads, and other means of transport replaced the traveling caravans. Therefore, the local government initiated a restoration project with an aim to preserve its cultural heritage and landscape by improving infrastructure and promoting economic growth in Shaxi. Years of efforts are paying off. The town saw its old buildings renovated and sceneries beautified. Currently, Shaxi has turned into a desirable destination for tourists at home and abroad. In 2024 alone, Shaxi received over 3 million tourist trips from home and abroad, along with a total revenue of 4.298 billion yuan (about 58.98 million U.S. dollars). [Photo/Xinhua]
A villager herds sheep by a river in Beilong Village of Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
People visit a bookshop at Beilong Village of Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
Jiang Wufa (2nd, R), an inheritor of arts for Shibaoshan Song Festival, a national intangible cultural heritage, rehearses with his apprentices in Shilong Village of Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
An elderly woman of Bai ethnic group makes embroidered sachets in Hualong Village of Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
An aerial drone photo taken on April 19, 2025 shows a view of the Yujin Bridge in Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Villagers work in the field in Beilong Village of Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
People visit an ancient stage at Sideng Village of Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
