Fengyangyi is a small village on part of the Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road and it has gained popularity since it served as one of the filming locations for Meet Yourself in Dali, Yunnan.
It still retains an authentic and natural ancient village ambiance, although it may have some commercialization. You could explore the historic Tea Horse Road and also revisit the warm and healing scenes from the series.
Time needed: half a day
Best for: checking a Meet Yourself site off your bucket list, photography, handicrafts, and relaxing
Recommended tour route: entrance of the village → Qiuyuan Café 楸园咖啡 → Windy Courtyard 有风小院 → Meet Yourself Yile Tea House 去有风的地方意乐空间 → Tea Horse Road 茶马古道 → Huangtang Food Art Museum 荒堂美食美术馆 → Fazhen Temple 法真寺 → Phoenix Eye 凤凰之眼
Popular Spots in Fengyangyi Village
The most popular spots in Fengyangyi are mainly the filming spots for Meet Yourself, but you could also explore local ethnic culture, trace the history of the Tea Horse Road, and enjoy the leisurely pastoral life.
1. Qiuyuan Café
It is a traditional Bai ethnic old house blended with a café, where the earthy walls are fully covered with verdant creepers, offering a quaint and tranquil vibe.
As the shooting spot of Gesang Flower Restaurant in Meet Yourself, it has become more well-known.
You could have a cup of coffee or savor a handmade dessert, especially on the second floor. There is a terrace where you could view Er Lake, making it suitable for relaxing and photography.
2. Windy Courtyard
The Windy CourtyardWindy Courtyard is the most popular spot in Fengyangyi, as it serves as the heroine's residence in Meet Yourself, attracting many fans to visit.
It has retained the same idyllic and cozy setting, which is perfect for shooting photos in the same style.
However, the courtyard requires a minimum spend to enter, which is for an afternoon tea set of about 200 CNY. If you're fond of taking pictures, it's worth it. Or you could just snap a quick photo of the door to check it off your list.
3. Blue-Dye Museum
If you prefer traditional handicrafts, you could visit the nearby Blue-Dye Museum. You would find many batik and tie-dye pieces inside, such as clothing, umbrellas, dolls, and bags, and you could even create your own blue-dyed souvenir.
4. Meet Yourself Yile Tea House
The tea house is a photography hot spot featuring a charming wooden window, where Xu Hongdou holds flowers on the windowsill in Meet Yourself.
You could dress in the same style as the heroine for photos as the tea house offers the same yellow headband, blue blouse, and pink rose bouquet, but you need to buy a cup of tea or coffee to take photos inside.
5. Tea Horse Road
The Tea Horse Road in Fengyangyi is a relatively narrow stone path and is only 1, 900 meters (6,234 feet) long, but it offers a sense of seclusion and tranquility.
It is ideal for a leisurely stroll through the verdant greenery and shaded area. Or you could opt for a horseback ride but the price is a bit high and the path isn't very long so it isn't essential.
If you're fond of photography, there are many picturesque corners that are ideal for taking selfies, with flower-covered walls, landscaped plants, and lovely windmills.
Heading deeper, you could also find many interesting stalls selling craft souvenirs and food, such as straw rabbits, knitted bags, hand-built pottery, charcoal barbecues, rice-flour cakes, etc.
6. Huangtang Food Art Museum
It is actually a combination of a café, an inn, and a bookstore, featuring a strong artistic ambiance with plentiful nostalgic items. Many Chinese variety shows have been filmed there before.
You could enjoy some afternoon tea there, order meals, take photos, or admire the various vintage items, immersing yourself in the atmosphere of China in the 1970s and 1980s.
7. Fazhen Temple
Fazhen Temple, located on the hill behind Fengyangyi, is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Dali. You could witness the unique woodcut couplets as well as the old well that you could use a ladle to fetch water for drinking.
If you prefer a tranquil atmosphere, Fazhen Temple, with its red walls and lush greenery, is ideal for visiting, and you could also sip tea and try your hand at drawing.
8. Phoenix Eye
Above Fazhen Temple is the Phoenix Eye, a teahouse situated on the mountaintop with a large viewing platform. But you need to spend some money to get in, such as ordering an afternoon tea set.
You could enjoy the expansive view of Er Lake and Cang Mountain on the viewing platform, and the beautiful photo-friendly settings, such as swings, are pleasant to take selfies.
How to Get to Fengyangyi Village
Fengyangyi Village is near Dali Old Town, making it more convenient to reach. You could take a taxi or a Didi car. It is only a 20-minute drive from Dali Old Town. Alternatively, you could take a direct bus, which takes half an hour.
Is Fengyangyi Worth a Visit?
Fengyangyi has become popular again, primarily because of Meet Yourself. If you're a hardcore fan of the series or you have adequate time and want to find a place near Dali Old Town for strolling or taking photos, it is pleasant to visit Fengyangyi.
However, for a more original and rustic feeling of an ancient Tea Horse Road village, Shaxi Ancient Town is recommended.
If you are preparing to visit Fengyangyi Village, the following are some tips:
- There are many uneven stone paths, so wearing comfortable shoes is recommended.
- The series' popularity may create a commercial atmosphere in the village, so you could ignore some sales pitches as there might be many unexpected charges.
- Some of the roads have a lot of horses passing through them and are not as clean as other roads, so be prepared to encounter horse manure and the smell if you want to experience horseback riding.
Other Popular Filming Spots in Dali for Meet Yourself
Xizhou Town
It is known for its traditional Bai ethnic residences and idyllic fields. You could feel the artistic and pastoral vibe and explore local people's lifestyles, such as the paddy field café and morning market.
For photography enthusiasts, the fields offer refreshing backdrops for picturesque photos, including the path the heroine walked along in the show. You could also capture the giant banyan tree, where Xu Hongdou leaned while shedding tears.
Shaxi Ancient Town
It is an authentic and peaceful ancient town filled with a historic and traditional atmosphere. You could enjoy a slower pace of life there and explore more of the history and caravan culture of the Tea Horse Road.
For fans of Meet Yourself, Shaxi offers more filming spots to visit, such as Shaxi Old Theater, Square Street, Pioneer Bookstore, Yujin Bridge, etc., which are also iconic attractions in Shaxi.