Jianshui: A Hidden Gem of Southern Yunnan with a Slow-Paced Ancient Town Life

🚗Transportation Guide

- Getting there: First arrive in Kunming, then take a high-speed train to Jianshui, which takes about 2 hours.
- Getting around: The attractions in Jianshui Ancient Town are relatively concentrated and can be explored on foot. You can also take public buses that stop on request. Additionally, you can rent electric vehicles or take taxis.

☑️Attractions

- Ancient Town Core Area
- Chaoyang Tower: Jianshui's landmark building, constructed 28 years before the Tiananmen Gate. Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the ancient town - free access from the north entrance.
- Zhu Family Garden: A late Qing Dynasty mansion known as the "Grand View Garden of Southwest China," featuring exquisite architecture with ornate beams and painted rafters.
- Confucian Temple: With over 700 years of history, it's the largest Confucian temple in southern China, featuring grand scale and elegant classical architecture.
- Western Route
- Jianshui Mini Train: Departing from Lin'an Station, passing through Shuanglong Bridge Station and Xianghui Bridge Station, finally arriving at Tuanshan Station, offering views of rice fields and ancient villages along the way.
- Shuanglong Bridge: Also known as the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, it's a Qing Dynasty structure that's particularly beautiful during sunrise and sunset for photography.
- Tuanshan Village: A 600-year-old village listed as a World Memorial Architecture Heritage site, featuring elegant traditional architecture rich in cultural essence.
- Other Attractions
- Ant Workshop: A macaron-colored building with strong design elements, perfect for photography.
- Purple Pottery Street: Jianshui's most popular night market, offering various barbecue dishes, snacks, and purple pottery crafts.

🌟Food Recommendations

- Local Snacks: Try grilled tofu, bird's nest pastries, lion cake, and sponge cake. The grilled tofu has golden skin and tender meat, while bird's nest pastries are pure white with distinct layers and a crispy texture.
- Main Dishes: Bean sprout rice noodles offer a fresh and crispy taste, while steam pot chicken features clear soup and fresh meat. Jianshui barbecue offers rich ingredients with unique grilling techniques.

🏭Accommodation Suggestions

- Luxury: Jianshui County Heyuan Hotel, a high-quality Qing-style lakeside hotel; Jianshui Lin'an Hotel, adjacent to the ancient town with views of city lights.
- Boutique: Wangyungui Hotel, a traditional courtyard in the ancient town; Jianshui Tingziyun Resort Hotel, a Chinese-style courtyard with strong Zen elements.