If I could recommend only one ancient city in Yunnan for a lifetime, I would choose Jianshui!

Once a bustling hub of merchants on the ancient Tea Horse Road known as "Gubu Tou," it has now transformed into a stunning millennia-old city🏯.
With pottery as its backbone and wells as its veins,
it blends the most authentic everyday life into the blue stone alleys and purple pottery workshops～
No more words, follow my lens and take a virtual tour of Jianshui!📸

【A Poetic Scroll Through a Thousand Years】
On the red earth of southern Yunnan, Jianshui is like an ancient poem soaked in time,
the weathered city towers guard the lingering echoes of the thousand-year-old post road,
and under the flying eaves of the Confucian Temple, the sound of Confucian scholars’ chanting still resonates📚.
In the morning, the seventeen arches of Shuanglong Bridge pierce the sunrise;
at dusk, the fragrance of papaya flowers drifts past the carved door lintels of Tuanshan residences🌸.
A small city, half of Yunnan’s history,
Jianshui invites you into a borderland old dream you never want to wake from, with the sweetness of ancient wells, the charred aroma of grilled tofu, and the depth of culture🌙.

🚝【Step-by-Step Transportation Guide】
1. For high-speed train travelers:
Kunming → Jianshui intercity high-speed trains run multiple times daily (about 2 hours)
The final stop is Jianshui Station; from there, take a bus or taxi (about 20 minutes) directly to the ancient city.
2. For self-driving veterans:
From Kunming, take the Kunmo Expressway then switch to the Tongjian Expressway (about 3 hours)
You can also stop by Fuxian Lake along the way🌊.

📍【Top Attractions to Check In】
"Jianshui Confucian Temple"🏛️
Address: No. 266 Lin’an Road, Jianshui County, Honghe Prefecture
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Ticket: 50 RMB
Highlight: The second largest Confucian Temple in China! Only behind Qufu in Shandong
Essence of Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasty architecture, a time travel in a second～
Recommended route:
"Taihe Vitality" Archway → "Xuehai" Lotus Pond → Dacheng Hall → Ancestor Hall
Little tip: The lotus flowers are stunning in summer, and the ancient trees in the temple provide great shade!🌳

🍢【Late Night Food Must-Try List】
🔥 Jianshui Tofu is forever legendary!
Key point: Must be made with water from the West Gate Daban Well✔️
Best way to eat: Slow roast over low heat until golden and puffed
Dip sauces rotate: dry and wet sauces for full flavor!
📍 Where to try: Hanlin Street, West Gate Barbecue Street (30 RMB per person to eat until full!)

🍗 The pinnacle of Steam Pot Chicken!
Whole chicken + purple pottery steam pot = perfect match
The chicken broth condensed by steam is so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows raise✨
📍 Recommended old brand: Lin’an Restaurant (60 RMB per person)

🍜 Caoya Rice Noodles
Jianshui exclusive! Caoya is crisp and refreshing
Recommended way: Caoya boiled meat rice noodles (morning queue warning!)
📍 Must go: Chengnan Guoqiao Garden (7:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

📸【Photo Hotspots】
Reflections of the seventeen arches of Shuanglong Bridge
Carved doors and windows of Tuanshan residences
Red walls and golden tiles of the Confucian Temple
Suggested outfit: Hanfu or qipao are perfect matches!