Jianchuan Ancient Town|Yunnan's Most Authentic Spot to Zone Out
by HALLE CHARLES
Oct 21, 2025
When it comes to ancient towns in Yunnan, the first places that come to mind are Lijiang and Dali, but today I want to recommend a super hidden gem—Jianchuan Ancient Town!
This is truly the least commercialized ancient town I've seen in Yunnan! 🎯  
The shops here sell everyday items for locals, not tourist souvenirs, giving it a very authentic, lived-in vibe~
🎨 Jianchuan is most famous for its wood carvings!  
Walking through the ancient town, you can find exquisite wood carving shops everywhere. The master craftsmen focused on their work create such a great atmosphere~ You can also find many unique handmade crafts!
🛒 Be sure to visit the market every Sunday!  
This is the real Yunnan cultural feast 🏮  
Various local snacks, handicrafts, and agricultural products are sold at unbelievably low prices. It’s super relaxing to stroll and snack at the same time~
🚌 Transportation tips:  
- No high-speed train access  
- You can buy bus tickets from Dali to Jianchuan directly on the "Caiyun Tong" mini program  
- Round trips in one day are totally doable  
- One way takes just over 2 hours  
📍 Address: Jianchuan Ancient Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
✨ There really aren’t many tourists here, making it perfect to find a sunny spot under a roof to zone out or slowly explore every alley, experiencing the most authentic ancient town life~
Highly recommended for those sisters wanting to escape commercialization!
Post by HALLE CHARLES | Oct 21, 2025












