It is also the birthplace of Xingjiao Temple culture. Xingjiao Temple is the largest, most typical and representative Buddhist tantric "Ali" temple in China, with a history of nearly 600 years. The Ming Dynasty murals preserved in the temple are deeply influenced by the painting style of the Central Plains, with the characteristics of the Bai nationality, and are the treasures of the painting art of the Bai nationality. The main building structure of the ancient stage is Kuixing Pavilion, which is the place where the local Bai people worship Kuixing Pavilion. Every national festival, the Bai people in the town, dressed in festive costumes, play the leading three strings and gather in Sifang Street to sing and dance on the stage.
The ancient town is very primitive, with old stone roads, old houses and old city walls. There are many inns in the town, mostly in Ming and Qing dynasties, with wooden structures. The scenic spot is a continuation centered on Sifang Street. The shops in the fourth-class street and the surrounding streets mainly sell handicrafts, as well as special restaurants and coffee bars. The ancient town is from east to west, and the main scenic spots are Dongzhaimen, Nanzhaimen, Sifang Street, Xingjiao Temple, Heiyujiang, Yujinqiao, Sideng Street and Ouyang Courtyard, which are not allowed to enter. The sunshine is strongest here at noon, and there are few pedestrians on the street. This town is quiet and lazy. Without the noise of the city, the earth is full of tan, blue sky and sunshine that can warm the whole body. Tired of walking, find a small shop facing the street to take a nap, drink coffee, eat dessert, take a lazy nap and spend the afternoon in a leisurely time.
The famous food is eight bowls of shaxi, as well as bait and rice noodles. Snacks include rice, lard, rice sugar, peach crisp, pan-fragrant crisp, goat's milk crisp and taro in Tusong Mountain. The mushrooms here are fresh and cheap, and the mushroom hot pot is also very distinctive. It's perfect to stay in Shaxi for one or two nights. There are all kinds of inns and homestays here, the prices are different, and the choice is quite large. Shaxi ancient town is a forgotten paradise, which has not been fully commercialized yet. If you have time and like this quiet and slow life, you might as well go and have a look.