Hotel in Xizhou Village, Dali area, Yunnan, Yunnan
The Linden Centre
A heritage boutique hotel set inside a beautifully restored 19th-century Bai merchant's compound in the village of Xizhou, 15km from Dali. The property features three traditional courtyard gardens, hand-crafted Bai furnishings, and curated cultural programs including cooking classes, tea ceremonies, and guided village walks. Each of the 16 rooms is individually decorated with museum-quality antiques.
The Linden Centre is a heritage boutique hotel set within a meticulously restored 19th-century Bai merchant's compound in the village of Xizhou, Yunnan, located approximately 15 kilometres north of Dali Ancient City on the western shore of Erhai Lake. The property occupies a complex of traditional Bai architecture known locally as a sanheyuan — three courtyard enclosures connected by covered walkways — and is among the most celebrated examples of cultural heritage accommodation in mainland China.
The compound was originally constructed during the late Qing Dynasty by a prosperous Bai merchant family and served as a centre of commercial and cultural life in the Xizhou region. After decades of disuse, it was acquired and comprehensively restored by the Linden family over several years, with careful attention to preserving original structural elements including hand-carved wooden screens, painted eaves depicting classical scenes, and fired-clay tile roofing. The restoration used period-authentic techniques and locally sourced materials.
Sixteen individually decorated guestrooms surround the three courtyard gardens, each furnished with museum-quality Bai antiques, hand-embroidered linens, and period lighting. No two rooms are identical; original wooden floors, carved window lattices, and whitewashed walls with inlaid marble panels from nearby Cangshan Mountain are preserved throughout. The garden courtyards cultivate seasonal flowers native to the Dali region.
The Linden Centre's restaurant serves excellent Bai home cooking using produce from the hotel's kitchen garden and Xizhou market. Signature dishes include Bai-style braised pork, rice noodles with local herbs, and farm-fresh eggs with mountain vegetables. A celebrated cooking class programme — rated as one of China's best culinary tourism experiences — runs daily, taking small groups to the morning market before returning to prepare dishes under a Bai chef's guidance. Tea ceremonies using Yunnan pu-erh and cloud-and-mist teas are hosted in the courtyards.
Cultural programming extends to guided village walks in Xizhou, bicycle excursions along the Erhai Lake shoreline, visits to Bai tie-dye workshops, and calligraphy instruction. The library stocks works on Bai culture, Yunnan natural history, and Chinese art, making the property as much a learning environment as a place of rest.
Amenities
- courtyard gardens
- restaurant
- cooking classes
- cultural programs
- wifi
- library
- bikes
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +86 872 245 2988
Location
Sifangjie Village, Xizhou Town, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture
25.7918, 100.1567 — View on map
Highlights
- Painstakingly restored 19th-century Bai merchant's compound in Xizhou village near Dali, Yunnan
- Sixteen antique-furnished guestrooms surrounding three traditional Bai courtyard gardens
- Highly regarded daily Bai cooking class from Xizhou morning market to table
- Bicycle excursion routes along scenic Erhai Lake shoreline and to Dali Ancient City
- Curated cultural programming including Bai tie-dye workshops and pu-erh tea ceremonies
Tips
- Book the cooking class at the time of reservation — slots fill well in advance, especially during peak season.
- Rent a bicycle from the hotel to cycle north to Shuanglang village (12km) along the lakeside road for outstanding Erhai views.
- Xizhou's morning market begins around 7am; hotel staff can guide guests before breakfast.
- Dali Ancient City (15km south) is best visited on weekday mornings before tour groups arrive from Kunming.
- March brings Bai butterfly dancing festivals and wildflowers on Cangshan Mountain — an excellent time to visit the area.
FAQ
How far is The Linden Centre from Dali Ancient City and Cangshan Mountain?
The property is approximately 15 kilometres north of Dali Ancient City. Cangshan Mountain's forest trails are accessible from the area, with the main cable car station at Dali town approximately 20 kilometres south.
Does The Linden Centre accept walk-in bookings?
With only 16 rooms, the hotel typically operates at high occupancy. Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly from March to October. The hotel communicates primarily through its reservations team via email.
Is there a pool or spa on the property?
The Linden Centre does not have a swimming pool or spa facility. The property focuses on cultural immersion, heritage experiences, and the tranquility of its three courtyard gardens.
Is The Linden Centre suitable for children?
The hotel accommodates families with older children. The culinary and cultural programmes can engage children from about age 10 upwards. The antique furnishings and intimate scale of the property mean younger children require careful supervision.
Accessibility
The traditional Bai compound involves raised doorway thresholds, uneven flagstone courtyard surfaces, and step access between courtyard levels that present significant challenges for wheelchair users. The property does not currently offer fully accessible rooms. Visitors with mobility limitations should contact the hotel directly to discuss options before booking.
When to visit
March to October offers the most pleasant weather and active cultural programming; the Bai Third Month Street festival in late April is a particularly vibrant time to visit the Dali region.