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Xiasi Ancient Town

下司古镇

Plan Xiasi Ancient Town near Kaili with free entry, transport from Kaili South Railway Station, Qingshui River, wind-and-rain bridge, Yangming Academy, Yuwang Palace, food, lodging, and practical tips.

ancient-townriversidefoodeasy-walkFamily-Friendly
Quick Facts
Ticket
Free entry. Boat rides, costume photos, intangible-heritage experiences, meals, and lodging cost extra.
Hours
Town streets can be visited from daytime into evening; common visitor-facing hours are around 08:30-21:00. Shops, performances, boat rides, and experiences keep their own schedules.
Transport
No metro. Take a taxi from Kaili South Railway Station (凯里南站) or Kaili city center, or use local buses such as Route 302 if you have time and little luggage.
Duration
2-3 hours; half day if eating or staying longer by the river
Best Time
Mar-Nov for riverside walks; evenings are useful year-round
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1

Treat Xiasi as an easy half-day stop near Kaili

Xiasi Ancient Town is close to both Kaili South Railway Station and Kaili city center. It works well after arriving by high-speed rail, before leaving, or on the way back to Kaili from Xijiang or Langde. It does not need a full day.

Tip:If you have already visited several villages, Xiasi is better as a slower add-on for food and a riverside walk.
2

Arrive from Kaili South Railway Station or Kaili city center

A taxi from Kaili South Railway Station is the easiest option and usually does not take long. Local buses such as Route 302 can also connect to the town. If self-driving during holidays, plan parking in advance and consider parking outside the old town, then walking in.

Tip:If you have luggage, take a taxi. Dragging bags through bus transfers and stone lanes is not worth the small saving.
3

Enter free and pay only for optional experiences

Xiasi Ancient Town can currently be treated as free to enter. Yangming Academy, Yuwang Palace, the old wharf, wind-and-rain bridge, Qingshui River, and old streets can form one walking route. Boat rides, costume photos, intangible-heritage experiences, meals, and guesthouses cost extra.

Tip:Do not budget from old guides that list an entrance ticket. Most spending now comes from food, photos, experiences, and lodging.
4

Walk the riverside first, then enter the lanes and guild halls

After entering from the paifang or main entrance, start along Qingshui River for the wind-and-rain bridge, riverside stilt houses, and old wharf. Then turn into the lanes for Yangming Academy, Yuwang Palace, guild-hall buildings, and Lusheng Square. Most visitors need 2-3 hours.

Tip:Xiasi works best as a slow walk. Do not compare it with Xijiang's night view or Zhaoxing's drum-tower scale.
5

Keep the evening light and simple

Late afternoon and evening are good for the bridge lights, riverside teahouses, and dinner. Ethnic performances are not fixed every day, and holiday periods are more likely to have them. Do not change your whole itinerary just for a possible show.

Tip:Stay overnight if you want morning mist or night views. If you only want a quick old-town stop, dinner and a return to Kaili are also fine.
Highlights
  • The wind-and-rain bridge and Qingshui River are the clearest visual anchors of Xiasi, with reflections by day and lights at night.
  • The old wharf shows Xiasi's history as a Qingshui River trading port and is more memorable than a normal commercial street.
  • Yangming Academy is useful for a quieter courtyard, grey-brick architecture, and a scholar-academy atmosphere inside the old town.
  • Yuwang Palace and guild-hall buildings add the trading-town background, so the visit is not only about eating and shopping.
  • Lusheng Square, the drum tower, and the stage are useful for holiday activities, but on normal days they are simple route stops.
  • Xiasi is easier and calmer than Xijiang or Zhaoxing, good for a sour-soup fish meal, a riverside walk, and a half-day rest.
Insider Tips

Treat Xiasi Ancient Town as free to enter. If a single experience or event charges money, ask what is included first.

The streets can be visited in the evening, but shops, performances, boat rides, and experiences may not run every day or all day.

Xiasi is close to Kaili South Railway Station. A taxi is the most practical choice for overseas visitors; buses are better only if you are not in a hurry and have little luggage.

Prices are generally moderate, but ask first for costume photos, Miao clothing, silver, and handicrafts.

Riverside guesthouses have views, but holiday periods and street-facing rooms can be noisy. For quiet sleep, avoid the main street and bar areas.

The Xiasi dog is a local specialty. Do not tease dogs or move close for photos; watching from a distance is enough.

If you already plan Xijiang or Langde on the same day, do not overpack Xiasi. Treat it as a meal stop and slow-walk stop.

More Qiandongnan Attractions
01Cultural Stop

Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village

西江千户苗寨

All Ages

Admission

CNY 90 entrance ticket. Sightseeing bus is CNY 20 for four rides. Current adult packages commonly show CNY 110-120 when the bus and insurance are bundled.

Typical Visit

Half day with night view; 1 night is better for a first visit

02Cultural Stop

Zhaoxing Dong Village

肇兴侗寨

All Ages

Admission

Listed entrance ticket is CNY 80. Scenic-area shuttle is listed at CNY 20 round trip. Online discounted or bundled tickets may show CNY 78 or CNY 88 depending on what is included.

Typical Visit

Half day to 1 day; stay overnight and add Tang'an for a fuller visit

03City Guide

Tang'an Dong Village

堂安侗寨

All Ages

Admission

Tang'an Dong Village itself is free to visit. If entering through Zhaoxing, budget separately for the Zhaoxing entrance ticket, Zhaoxing scenic shuttle, and Tang'an round-trip transfer, commonly CNY 20.

Typical Visit

2-3 hours; at least half a day if hiking back to Zhaoxing

04Cultural Stop

Basha Miao Village

岜沙苗寨

All Ages

Admission

Common adult package is CNY 100 for entrance, shuttle, and performance. Lower-price entrance-only or entrance-plus-shuttle options may be available, such as CNY 40 or CNY 60.

Typical Visit

2-3 hours

05Cultural Stop

Langde Miao Village Scenic Area

郎德苗寨景区

All Ages

Admission

Common entrance ticket is CNY 50. Entrance plus round-trip sightseeing bus is commonly CNY 60.

Typical Visit

2-3 hours

06City Guide

Zhenyuan Ancient Town

镇远古城

All Ages

Admission

Zhenyuan Ancient Town street area is free. Qinglongdong official adult ticket is CNY 60, Shiping Mountain is CNY 30, and the ancient-town night water tour is commonly CNY 80.

Typical Visit

1 day; stay overnight for the night view and quieter morning