A long ancient tea-horse road intertwined Tubo, Nanzhao and the Tang Dynasty. Dali is a must-pass on the ancient tea-horse road. Our trip this time revisits Dali's ancient tea-horse road and regains the memories of Dali's ancient road in those years.

1. Yunnanyi Ancient Town

It is said that this was the first place called "Yunnan" and the most important and prosperous distribution center of the ancient tea-horse road at that time.

Walking into this ancient station, a bluestone road meanders from the distant Central Plains, passes through the ancient town and then gradually disappears between the vast mountains and clouds of clouds. The shops on both sides of the ancient street are old and dilapidated. On the old blue stone street, horse hoof prints are vaguely visible, confirming the gradual disappearance of history.

Back then, there were officials here, troops, and horse gangs. It used to be crowded with traffic and people coming and going, making it very lively. Nowadays, things are different. What used to be very lively is now deserted.

2. Fengyangyi

Between the ancient city of Dali and Xiaguan, there is a little-known tea-horse ancient road-the Fengyangyi tea-horse ancient road.

This ancient tea-horse road passes through Taihe City, the old capital of Nanzhao, witnessing the glory of the ancient country of Nanzhao and the change of time. The residential houses on both sides of the ancient road are made of irregular stones. They have strong national characteristics and a long charm.

During the walk, the mottled old earth walls, dancing thatched tile roofs, and smooth and round stone floors have left a deep impression on the vicissitudes of history. Walking on the blue stone road of the ancient tea-horse road, it seems that you can still hear the past. The sound of hooves and the horses coming and going here.

3. Dali Ancient City

After returning from Fengyangyi, we rested in the ancient city of Dali and prepared to go to Shaxi Ancient Town the next day.

In the ancient city of Dali, the city's clear tiled roofs and cobblestone walls show the simplicity and uniqueness of the ancient city of Dali. There are some old houses in the streets and alleys, flowers and trees in the courtyards, birds sing, and water gurgling in outdoor streams and canals. The ancient street paved with bluestone slabs is lined with lively and simple shops on both sides.

When I am tired of wandering in the ancient city, I pass by Red Longjing and rest at the Puyun Ancient Tea Shop here. Sitting in the shop, a cup of hot Pu 'er tea will spread out with the rising water vapor. If you take a sip, it will be bitter and sweet. The tea will have a strong aroma, and the body will be salivate at the mouth, and the aftertaste will be endless. Looking back at the time, the horse gangs were not afraid of hard work. They not only made the world familiar with Yunnan Pu 'er tea, but also made huge profits. Just like this Pu 'er tea, it is bitter first and then sweet.

4. Shaxi Ancient Town

Shaxi Ancient Town is a station on the Ancient Tea Horse Road and is said to be the only surviving ancient market today.

Ancient temples, ancient stages, ancient shops, horse shops, ancient red sand stone streets, century-old ancient trees, ancient alleys, ancient villages... Every point can open the door of time. The ancient red gravel street, with various small shops on both sides, still retains its original appearance. The ancient Dongzhai Gate and Yujin Bridge still bear the marks left by the horse caravan. On the ancient stage on Sideng Sifang Street, the melodious ancient music of the Dongjing Sutra echoes through thousands of years of time.

Shaxi Ancient Town has gone through a process of development, growth, glory and decline, leaving only silent stone bridges, ancient roads and ancient streets quietly telling its past.