Weishan Old Town 巍山古城

About Weishan Old Town

Gongchen Tower marks the northern approach, while Xinggong Tower stands over a four-way junction, with arched openings beneath its timber upper storey. The Confucian Temple adds a quieter sequence of pool, ceremonial gates and halls. These landmarks provide a useful town circuit, with smaller streets between them revealing the scale of the residential buildings. View the restored monuments alongside the living streets rather than treating the town as an untouched historic set.

The settlement was an important town during the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms. An earthen-walled town was built in the Yuan period. In 1390, a new brick-and-stone settlement was constructed to its south and joined to it, establishing the outline of the later town. The combined settlement continued as an administrative centre through the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The residential buildings generally use earth and timber, retaining the scale, proportions and colouring associated with Ming and Qing architecture. Weishan became a National Historical and Cultural City (中国国家历史文化名城) in 1994. North Street (巍山北街), part of the historic street network, was designated a Chinese Historical and Cultural Street (中国历史文化名街) in June 2011.

What to look for

• Xinggong Tower combines four arched passages with a timber pavilion above.
• The Confucian Temple links a pool, stone bridge, gates and main hall along its axis.

The surrounding area

Old-town streets and the Erhai basin, with Bai cultural context. Select a specific lakeside or city base.

Location & getting there

Getting to Weishan Old Town

Use Gongchen Tower in Weishan Old Town, Nanzhao Town, as the local road arrival anchor. Continue through the old-town streets towards Xinggong Tower and the Confucian Temple; Weishan is a separate town south of Dali.