Jianshui Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)

Jianshui Supply and Marketing Cooperative is so awesome!

Jianshui Supply and Marketing Cooperative is so awesome! Took mom to Jianshui, the ancient city is quite nice, found a supply and marketing cooperative next to the hotel, walked in and it's actually quite big! There's a canteen where you can eat, and a bowl of rice noodles as big as a washbasin is only a dozen yuan. The supermarket of the supply and marketing cooperative is very large, with a particularly wide variety of items, I can't even take pictures of everything. Furniture, televisions, books, and tapes from many years ago really have a full nostalgic vibe, and there are all kinds of snacks, toys, and ice cream from childhood. It's really worth visiting!

Clean and refreshing, it feels like home

Hygiene: Relatively clean and refreshing Service: The merchant recommended a free parking area in Zitao Li near the community, which is very convenient for transportation and close to the scenic spots and snack street Quite warm and artistic Facilities are relatively complete Highlight: The pictures are quite similar to the actual room, which is quite realistic without false advertising. I highly recommend this homestay

A Day with Friends in Jianshui

A Day with Friends in Jianshui A friend from Kunming came to visit us, we rented a small electric car, and toured around Jianshui comfortably for a day. Lin'an Mini Train You can experience the mini train, although the ticket is quite expensive. Inside there are various trains, and the tracks are also walkable, half an hour for checking in and taking photos. Ant Workshop The ticket is relatively expensive, 40 yuan per person, and there are also tickets for 50 yuan per person, which come with four 10-yuan consumption coins that can be used inside, but only the restaurant is open. I read in a guide that you could buy coffee to get in for free, but the coffee shop has not been open these days, so just check in at the entrance and leave. Jianshui Purple Pottery Museum You can learn about the development of Jianshui's pottery industry and look at the exhibits inside. Buddha's Seal Lotus Island There is not much water left in Wulong Lake, the ground is exposed, the place is not big, but it is a good spot for taking photos, with coconut trees, cacti, blue sky, and white clouds. Jianshui Pottery Culture and Art Center The whole street is selling purple pottery. If you want to experience pottery making, the experience fee is 30 yuan per person, but if you want it to be fired, you need to add 100 yuan, and it takes about ten days. They can ship it to you later. Shuanglong Bridge The seventeen-arch bridge looks very beautiful under the sunset, there are snacks around, and there is a village further up with a roadside market, which is quite lively. Purple Pottery Street Night Market As night falls and the lights come on, the whole street looks very nice, and there are many local specialty snacks. Guangci Lake On the other side of the Purple Pottery Street Night Market, after dinner, you can take a walk, people are fishing, and you can also see the Ferris wheel.

Jianshui, indeed, is the little California of Yunnan (with travel tips)

The scenery and the moon are both beautiful, and the world is romantic. For those who love ancient architecture and historical culture, Jianshui is a must-visit in southeastern Yunnan and even the whole province. Here, you can find the human touch and sense of history everywhere. Not only is it less crowded here, but the scenery is also beautiful. 🏔️Recommended attractions in Jianshui: 1⃣ Jianshui Ancient Town: Square courtyards, century-old camphor trees, crisscrossing alleys, elderly people chatting under the trees, vendors carrying shoulder poles and hawking their wares... The simplicity and leisure of Jianshui Ancient Town can only be understood by visiting. 2️⃣ Ancient City Gate: It shares the same structure as the Tiananmen Gate but predates it by 25 years. You can go upstairs to overlook the entire city, and the red city walls are very photogenic. 3️⃣ Jianshui Little Train: Although it is a tourist train, the interior is very classic and exquisite. Along the way, you can check in at retro and artistic small stations, and you shouldn't miss the pastoral scenery. The station walls are mottled yellow, and the French plane trees are tall and large. 4️⃣ Beishan Taozhuang: Jianshui purple pottery is a traditional handicraft of Jianshui County. The entire scenic area is built with stones and various pottery, mainly focusing on purple pottery culture, ceramic landscape, and stone art. Here, we can immerse ourselves in the charm of traditional purple pottery culture. 🍡Food: ① Jianshui grilled tofu, grass sprout rice noodles: Must-try Jianshui delicacies, recommended are Banjing Tofu Workshop and Weidao Lin'an near the ancient town. ② Jianshui barbecue: Local recommended Western barbecue, as well as Yaojia barbecue found online are both good! ③ Yunnan cuisine: Lin'an Restaurant in the ancient town, the steam pot chicken is amazing. ④ Desserts, coffee shops: Papaya old shop's papaya water and purple rice dew, Guishanqiu Coffee Shop at Xianghui Bridge Station.

A Glimpse of History in a Small Town in Southern Yunnan

In the gentle breeze of the setting sun, I seem to return to China in 1920. Jianshui, the ancient capital of Lin'an Prefecture, a key town on the Tea Horse Road, I think its current state is just right, Commercial development just meets the basic needs of travelers.

Compared to Dali, I have a deeper affection for this severely underrated small city in Yunnan

Compared to popular destinations, I prefer distinctive and less-known places. Yunnan has a city with profound cultural heritage—Honghe Jianshui🏯 Here, not only can you find a massive ancient city, numerous ancient buildings, and many ancient bridges, but also spectacular karst caves, the small trains of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, and a rich array of cultural and natural landscapes, along with characteristic barbecue and reasonable prices🎉 After visiting enough internet-famous spots, a place with a slow pace, full of cultural heritage and the atmosphere of daily life is worth visiting‼️ Take a few days to organize a good travel plan and consider saving it❗ . 🚌How to get there 🚗High-speed train: There are bullet trains from Kunming to Jianshui, 2H 🚗Self-driving: The highway is also very convenient, only 2.5H drive from Kunming. . 🗺Travel Guide 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟏: Kunming➠Jianshui Ancient City, Confucian Temple➠Zhilin Temple➠Zhu Family Garden➠Chaoyang Tower➠Ancient Wells Group, etc.➠Xiaogui Lake 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟐: Lin'an Train Station➠Shuanglong Bridge➠Xianghuiqiao Station➠Tuanshan Village➠Swallow Cave➠Return trip . ✅✅✅Recommended Visits 📌Confucian Temple Built during the Yuan Dynasty, it is grand in scale and well-preserved. It is the third-largest Confucian temple in the country. Ticket: 38 . 📌Zhilin Zen Temple Built in 1295, it has been around for more than 700 years and is a rare well-preserved ancient wooden structure from the Yuan Dynasty. It also houses two Ming Dynasty Buddhist fine-line murals. Ticket: Free . 📌Zhu Family Garden Known as the Grand View Garden of the southwestern frontier, the layout of the houses is orderly, and the courtyards are layered, forming a maze-like architectural complex. The garden design is also very impressive. Ticket: 35 · 📌Ancient Wells Group Jianshui has a large number of ancient wells, some located in busy markets, some hidden in private houses, in various shapes, and they are still used by locals for daily water fetching. Ticket: Free . 📌Chaoyang Tower A landmark of Jianshui, built during the Ming Dynasty. Not only is it grand in scale, but the dougong brackets and plaques on the city tower are also very interesting, especially the night view. Ticket: Free . 📌Xiaogui Lake A small lake next to the ancient city, surrounded by various teahouses and bars, full of the atmosphere of daily life. Ticket: Free . 📌Lin'an Train Station An ancient train station on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, both the exterior and interior have retained the style of the Republic of China, very picturesque. You can also take the meter-gauge train to visit attractions such as Shuanglong Bridge and Tuanshan Village. Ticket: Free . 📌Shuanglong Bridge A spectacular seventeen-arch ancient bridge, with smooth bluestone slabs and exquisitely designed pavilions, it is even more beautiful at sunset. Ticket: Free . 📌Xianghuiqiao Station An even more niche ancient train station, with mottled French-style station buildings and swaying plane trees, it feels like being transported to Europe in a second. Ticket: Free . 📌Tuanshan Village A treasure trove of ancient residential buildings, dozens of well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty houses, a visual feast. Ticket: 35 . 📌Swallow Cave A spectacular karst cave, where you can also watch thrilling performances of harvesting swallow nests. Ticket: 55 . 🏠Accommodation | Jianshui Chuxi Homestay ✔Close to Lin'an Station, very convenient to walk to the ancient city ✔Clean and tidy, with many surrounding amenities . 🥙【Food Recommendations】 ▪Jianshui Renjia: The environment is average, but the steam pot chicken is very fragrant ▪Yaojia Barbecue: A very characteristic Jianshui barbecue ▪Xianghuiqiao Station Restaurant: A restaurant built inside an ancient train station, with great scenery and atmosphere . 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 🔸If you have enough time, you can combine trips to Mengzi and Shiping for a visit

Early Spring in Southeast Yunnan - A Riot of Colors Between Heaven and Earth (Part 5): The Seventeen-Arch Bridge of Jianshui

Yunnan's Jianshui is a beautiful and historically significant ancient town. When it comes to the history of Jianshui, everyone thinks of the Shuanglong Bridge. It is located to the west of the ancient city of Jianshui County in Yunnan Province and is the longest existing ancient stone arch bridge in China, one of the famous historical sites in Yunnan Province, and has been included in the annals of Chinese bridge construction. It is known as the 'Number One Ancient Bridge in the East.' The Seventeen-Arch Bridge is also called the Shuanglong Bridge, named after the confluence of the Tachong and Lujiang rivers, where a bridge locks the 'twin dragons' together. Another explanation is that there are two stone-carved dragon heads and tails on either side of the bridge. The dragon head is above the stream, and the dragon tail is below the stream, both carved vividly, hence the name Shuanglong Bridge. The Shuanglong Bridge was first built during the Jiaqing period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than six hundred years. It belongs to the covered bridge architecture. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, only three stone arches were built on the Lujiang River. Later, due to the flooding of the Tachong and Lujiang rivers and the gradual widening of the riverbed, the small three-arch bridge stood alone in the middle of the river and could not span both banks. Thus, fourteen more arches were added in the nineteenth year of the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. Three flying-eave style pavilions were built in the middle of the bridge, with pavilions within pavilions, reflecting each other, forming a magnificent view, and is an extremely precious masterpiece in the history of Chinese bridge construction. The pavilions at both ends are slightly smaller, with a large and spectacular one in the middle, known as the 'Dian Nan Grand View Pavilion.' Time flies, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge has stood over the two rivers for nearly 300 years. If you come to Jianshui, be sure to visit here, stroll on the smooth stone pavement, touch the mottled bridge railings, this bridge with extraordinary momentum, beautiful design, and the wisdom of Chinese national culture, will not disappoint you. (About one kilometer away from the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, there is a motorhome campsite. As long as you stay for more than 4 days, the average cost is 30 yuan per day, including water and electricity. Staying there for a few days, watching the sunrise and sunset by the bridge in the morning and evening, will surely be a poetic experience!)

The Seventeen-Arch Bridge of Jianshui

The Seventeen-Arch Bridge is the colloquial name for the Shuanglong Bridge, located in Baijiaying Village, Xizhuang Town, Jianshui County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It spans the confluence of the Lujiang River and the Tachong River, hence the name Shuanglong Bridge, which means 'a bridge locking two dragons'. The Shuanglong Bridge was originally built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. At that time, only a three-arch stone bridge was built over the Lujiang River. Later, due to the flooding of the Lujiang and Tachong rivers, the Tachong River dike in the southwest broke, and the river water rushed towards the village not far from the bridge. The flood was fierce, and the village suffered severe damage, which was later named Shuidaying Village. Now, Shuidaying Village belongs to Baijiaying Administrative Village, Xizhuang Town, Jianshui County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The Tachong River changed its course and merged into the Lujiang River, which also widened the river surface by three to four times. The originally built three-arch stone bridge was left hanging in the middle of the river. In the 19th year of the Daoguang period, fourteen more arches were built and connected to the original three arches, making a total of seventeen arches. Locals call the Shuanglong Bridge the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. From a distance, it looks like a ship with pavilions, and from close up, it resembles a long rainbow lying on the waves. There are three flying eave-style pavilions built on the bridge, with the two at the ends being slightly smaller and the one in the middle being large and spectacular. The Shuanglong Bridge is about 150 meters long, a single-arch bridge. The bridge is constructed with six large wooden pillars, with wooden planks laid on the bridge deck, wooden pillars erected, and a tiled roof, forming a long corridor in the air. On May 25, 2006, the Shuanglong Bridge was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. 🚉 Transportation Strategy: The Shuanglong Bridge is located in Shuidaying Natural Village, Baijiaying Administrative Village, Xizhuang Town, Jianshui County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is about 12 kilometers from Jianshui Station to Shuanglong Bridge, which takes about 20 minutes. ⏳ Visiting Time: Free to visit, the recommended visiting time is 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Zhu’s Family Garden.⠀ ⠀ An architectural complex that simply oozes elegance. With over 100 years of family history, the Zhu Family Garden is an incredible place to wander through, but can often feel like a bit of a maze. It took 30 years to complete, and the entire garden covers an incredible 20,000 square meters. With 42 different courtyards to explore, you could easily spend half a day here just exploring all the different nooks and crannies, and pretending (or wishing) that you owned a garden as elaborate as this one.⠀ ⠀ 📍Zhu Family Garden, Jianshui, Yunnan Province #leaveyourmark

Zhu Family Garden

🏡 Jianshui Zhu Family Garden 📍 Location: Zhu Family Garden, inside Jianshui Ancient Town. ⏰ Opening Hours: 08:00-19:00 Ticket🎫: The student ticket we bought was 18 yuan per person. The Zhu Family Garden is very similar to the Grand View Garden described in Cao Xueqin's 'Dream of the Red Chamber' and is known as the 'Grand View Garden of Southern Yunnan'. It covers an area of over 20,000 square meters, with 214 rooms of various sizes, facing south to north, symbolizing continuous promotion, and 42 courtyards, a true mansion, where it's easy to get lost. The Zhu Family Garden was built by the wealthy merchant Zhu family brothers during the Qing Dynasty. The main gate of the Zhu family is quite magnificent, and the luxury and opulence of the Zhu family are fully displayed inside. The back garden is also very exquisite. Various flowers and trees are distributed throughout the garden in a well-arranged manner, making it a great spot for taking photos📸. ‼️‼️ 1. Be mindful of sun protection. 2. 📸 For ladies who like to take photos, wearing traditional Chinese-style clothing will look even better.

The descendants of Zhu Yuanzhang built the Zhu Family Garden in Jianshui, Yunnan, a simple and unadorned county town known for its stinky tofu

Zhu Family Garden is famously renowned. Its surroundings are the most bustling and lively, with an entrance featuring an antique drooping-flower gate. The eaves of the house soar to both sides, and while the gate is intricately ornate, it's not particularly large. However, the world inside is truly another realm, vast enough to get lost in, reminiscent of the Grand View Garden from 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. No wonder it's referred to as the 'Grand View Garden of the Southwest Frontier'. The price of rice noodles ranges from 10 to 20 yuan, mainly depending on the variety and amount of side dishes. The kitchen serves you a bowl of soup, and you pick up the rice noodles or rice vermicelli yourself. The first time I tried it, I didn't know how long to scald the rice noodles for and just poured them into the soup to eat. It wasn't until later, when I saw how another girl did it and copied her, that I learned. I felt so unsophisticated! I recommend the grass sprout rice noodles; this unique ingredient is just too delicious!

Compared to Dali, I have a deeper affection for this severely underrated small city in Yunnan

Hello, I am a connoisseur of lesser-known beautiful sceneries. I've been to Yunnan many times, and each time I've overlooked the small city of Jianshui. Jianshui is a low-profile city yet full of cultural and historical charm. - Locals fetch water from ancient wells and gather under ancient trees to chat every day. Everyone grills tofu and barbecue together, sharing the interesting happenings of the day. This place is far from the hustle and bustle, yet it has a strong historical and cultural atmosphere. It's suitable for a slow-paced stroll to experience the local life and atmosphere. . 🚗【How to get there】 It's a 2h train ride from Kunming, or a 2.5h drive if you prefer to self-drive. . 🚶‍♂️【3-day 2-night travel itinerary】 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝟭: Jianshui Ancient Town ➠ Confucian Temple ➠ Zhu Family Garden ➠ Ancient Wells 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝟮: Lin'an Station ➠ Shuanglong Bridge ➠ Xianghui Bridge Station ➠ Tuanshan Station ➠ Tuanshan Residences 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝟯: Ant Workshop ➠ Wulong Lake ➠ Zitao Street ➠ Return trip . 🗺️【Places you can't miss】 ❶ Jianshui Ancient Town Unlike most ancient towns, Jianshui Ancient Town is a place where locals live. There's no excessive commercialization, just small shops that locals also visit, and everyone sits around a table grilling tofu, chatting about the slow life over tea🍵 ❷ Jianshui Little Train This century-old railway has been reopened. The narrow-gauge train moves slowly, allowing you to take in the scenery outside the window at a leisurely pace. You can also ride an electric scooter🛵 along the Baituan Highway and visit each station. ❸ Shuanglong Bridge Also known as the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, on a good day, you can capture the same 'golden light piercing through' effect as in the Summer Palace. It's really pleasant to take a walk on Shuanglong Bridge in the evening😭 ❺ Xianghui Bridge Station A stop along the little train's route, with French-style architecture. You can enjoy a cup of coffee, and there are many local girls holding baskets of freshly picked strawberries🍓, sweet to the core. ❹ Tuanshan Ancient Village Located next to Tuanshan Station, with yellow walls and gray tiles, the village is not very large. Villagers sit under ancient trees chatting about daily life, and children chase each other on the stone slabs. ❺ Ant Workshop The colorful castle is great for photos, but it's quite small. If you want to take pictures, you can enter for free with the purchase of a coffee or beverage☕️. ❻ Wulong Lake After visiting the Ant Workshop, you can stroll around the nearby Wulong Lake. Lying on the grass here is really chill. . 🏡【Where to stay】 You can stay around the ancient town, which is convenient for visiting and full of local life, or you can choose to stay near Zitao Street, where there's a night market🍖 and dining is very convenient. . 🍧【What to eat】 Jianshui's specialty foods include Jianshui tofu, steam pot chicken, grass sprout rice noodles, and Jianshui barbecue. You can also go to the Zitao Street night market in the evening, where you can find all the mentioned delicacies. The small shops on the street are also generally reliable, each grilling tofu~

A lesser-known village in Yunnan, a representative of traditional dwellings, exquisitely overall, with few visitors coming to play!

"A hundred-foot pavilion with a sturdy base, carved beams and painted rafters spread fame, Tuanshan dwellings hidden in the deep mountains, as if a paradise on earth appears." Tuanshan, a Ming and Qing architectural complex located in Jianshui, Yunnan, still preserves 16 Qing dynasty residential buildings, 4 fortress gates, and 1 ancestral hall to this day. What's rare is that most of these old houses are still inhabited by the descendants of the original owners, retaining the authentic atmosphere of life. Tuanshan Village is located 13 kilometers west of Jianshui, Yunnan. The village is not large and is also the last stop of the Jianshui popular mini train. Tuanshan used to be inhabited by the Yi people, and during the Ming Dynasty, Han people migrated here. Over the years, Tuanshan dwellings seem to have become a forgotten corner of time, with scattered houses unfolding like a historical scroll, telling the tale of those bygone days. East Gate: The main entrance of Tuanshan Village, facing outward, with gun holes on the gate tower for defending against bandits. Zhang Family Garden: The largest scale residential complex, with three courtyards, an independent watchtower, and a fortress gate. Huang'en Mansion: A two-courtyard representative, with 3 wells inside that are said to cook rice of different colors. General's Mansion: The house owner, Zhang He, once led the people to quell banditry and was appointed by the Yunnan governor Cai E as the camp manager and inspector, and was awarded the plaque of "General's Mansion". Sima Mansion: The only major household in the village not surnamed Zhang. Pay attention to the screen doors in the front courtyard, each telling a folk story. Touring order: After entering from the scenic spot entrance, turn right into the alley by the East Gate wall, first visit the General's Mansion, then tour Zhang Family Garden. Continue along the path, from Zhang Family Ancestral Hall to Scholar's Mansion, and finally come out of the East Gate to complete the circuit. Address: Tuanshan Village, Xizhuang Town, Jianshui County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province Opening hours: All year round from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Transportation: 1. Mini train version: Depart from Lin'an Station, pass through Shuanglong Bridge (30-minute stop), Duo Hui Bridge (20-minute stop), and finally arrive at Tuanshan Village (90-130 minute stay) before returning; Departure times: Two round trips daily. Morning: Departs at 9:00, arrives at Tuanshan Village at 10:50 Returns at 13:00, arrives at Lin'an Station at 13:45 Afternoon: Departs at 14:30, arrives at Tuanshan Village at 16:20 Returns at 17:50, arrives at Lin'an Station at 18:35 The morning train stays longer at Tuanshan station, recommended! Ticket price: 120 yuan for a round trip 1. Purchase in advance during peak season 2. Purchase on-site during off-season Admission: 35 yuan 2. Self-drive or bus (1) Bus: Take route 19 to Tuanshan dwellings (5 yuan/person) (2) Electric bike rental: 45 yuan per day (24 hours) PS: 1. Transportation pros and cons (1) Mini train Pros: Riding the mini train, passing through ancient villages and bridges, lotus ponds, with a faint sense of nostalgia, experiencing slow time The carriage interior combines features from the Republic of China period and French style, with exotic decorations, great for taking photos Cons: The best viewing time for Shuanglong Bridge is in the evening, and the stop at Duo Hui Bridge is too short (2) Electric bike Pros: Avoid crowds along the way and have ample time to fully enjoy each scenery Cons: You may get sunburned on sunny days 2. Clothing: Wear a pair of comfortable shoes, as the village roads are paved with large stones or pebbles, which can be uncomfortable; it is recommended to wear bright-colored clothes, which stand out in photos 3. Photographing the mini train The mini train has a long stop at Tuanshan station, allowing time to take photos after all passengers have disembarked. However, it is currently not allowed to board the train for photos, so you can only take pictures of the outside of the train, and it's a pity that you can't take pictures inside

【Colorful Clouds of the South · Jianshui Ancient Charm】Tuanshan Residence (I): World Heritage

【Tuanshan Residence: A Model of Precious World Cultural Heritage】 Tuanshan, in the Yi language, means 'a place with gold and silver'. The village is located 13 kilometers away from Jianshui County Town, built on a slope, backed by continuous green mountains, facing fertile fields and paddies, inhabited by the Zhang family clan. There are currently 16 traditional residences, 4 village gates, 3 temples, and 1 ancestral hall, along with a batch of rammed earth buildings that represent a fusion of Yi and Han cultures, covering an area of more than 180,000 square meters, with a building area of 16,158 square meters. Its well-preserved original appearance, compact layout, and rich spatial traditional architecture, as well as the exquisite materials and craftsmanship of the wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings, highlight the typical characteristics of southern Yunnan residential architecture and reflect the essence of Chinese traditional culture. It is not only the pinnacle of Yunnan's traditional residential architecture but also the best evidence of the history of southern Yunnan's industrial and commercial development. In 2006, it was listed in the World Monumental Architectural Heritage Directory. The World Monumental Heritage Foundation believes: 'The buildings here have a dignified appearance, decorated with highly valuable and exquisitely elegant wood-carved lattice windows, finely carved wood, stone, and brick reliefs, and very beautiful painted decorations, which are extremely rare and untouched examples of precious heritage in the world.'

Tuanshan Residence Travel Guide (take the Jianshui little train)

Tuanshan Residence refers to the ancient Tuanshan village on the west side of Jianshui Old Town in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan. Today, it still largely retains the appearance from two hundred years ago, at the end of the Qing Dynasty, where the Han and Yi cultures of Yunnan merged. The houses in the village all face east, with roofs covered in green tiles and exterior walls plastered with white lime. The eaves are upturned, and when combined with the exquisite local wood carvings, they exude a unique charm of multiculturalism. 🚉 Jianshui Little Train: The Jianshui Little Train is a short section of the century-old Yunnan-Vietnam Railway narrow-gauge railway. The current sightseeing route, which starts from the old Jianshui station, is 13 kilometers long and takes about 4 hours for a round trip. Along the way, it passes through Shuanglong Bridge Station and Xianghui Bridge Station, but the free time at these two stations is only about half an hour each, so the time to visit nearby old buildings is quite tight. Tuanshan Station, as the end of the line, has a train stop of nearly two hours, so there is ample time to visit Tuanshan Residence. The morning train stays at Tuanshan Residence from about 10:30 to 13:00, and the afternoon train from about 16:00 to 18:00. The morning train stops for an extra half hour, but the afternoon train's stay, with the sunset light, is more suitable for photography. 📝 Time Allocation to Avoid Crowds: To save unnecessary time, after getting off at Jianshui Train Tuanshan Station, you can take a free shuttle bus directly to Tuanshan Residence. The residence is actually built on a small hill south of the railway track, forming a village nestled against the mountain, with a small pond in between. Since it's not far, it only takes about ten minutes to walk from the village to the railway track, and if you have plenty of time when descending the hill, you can choose to walk. Entering the village from the tourist center, you'll be near the East Village Gate. From here, there are two main routes to the left and right. Most tourists from the same train choose the right side, heading to the most famous Zhang Family Garden and North Village Gate. Therefore, you can choose to first take the left route, heading to the Scholar's Mansion, Sima's Residence, South Village Gate, etc. These places are not as well-preserved as the buildings on the right, but choosing the opposite direction can help avoid the crowds. The small bridges, flowing water, and farmland near Tuanshan Station, as well as the narrow-gauge railway, are also good spots for photography. If time allows, there's no need to rush back to the train; a stroll in the vicinity might bring some special surprises.

How are the Han people who moved to the Yi village 600 years ago doing? (Includes a guide to sightseeing, eating, and drinking)

Tuanshan Village in Jianshui is a typical southern Yunnan Han immigrant village, with the largest surname being the Zhang family, who moved from Poyang County in Jiangxi during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty. Due to adhering to the family motto of 'endurance' for 600 years, the descendants are progressive, the family is thriving, and those who are successful all return to their hometown to build luxurious houses to honor their family. Therefore, the village's architecture includes both traditional Han and Yi buildings, as well as a mix of Han and Yi styles, representing a perfect fusion of local tradition and foreign culture. There are 15 well-preserved large residential buildings in Tuanshan Village, as well as 3 fortress gates and temples, and one ancestral hall, which are precious world commemorative architectural heritage. The village has earthen walls and doors carved with dragons and phoenixes, exuding an ancient and elegant beauty. Many elderly people still live in the village, leading simple and honest lives. The afternoons are a time for leisure and entertainment, with lively card games and chats. The largest mansion in the village is Zhang Family Garden, with a three-section courtyard, as well as an independent watchtower and fortress gate, which visitors can enter and explore. The Si Ma Di is said to be the only mansion in Tuanshan Village not bearing the Zhang surname. The cost of living in Tuanshan Village is very low, with freshly squeezed juice costing only 10 yuan for a large cup and tasting great. When in Jianshui, remember to try the roasted tofu, also known as Lin'an Shao Tofu, a traditional local specialty snack that became famous after being featured on 'A Bite of China'. The Yunnan surround-hearth roasted tea, which has become popular across the country in recent years, has made roasted tofu famous nationwide. I've tried two types of roasted tofu; the hard dried tofu kind is not tasty, but the soft and slightly stinky stinky tofu is my favorite. The local specialty wild vegetable in spring is grass sprouts, a plant that grows in water and looks a bit like the white part of a green onion, very tender and fresh. There's also sweet white liquor, which is probably something like fermented glutinous rice, cool and sweet, very delicious. 🌸 Tuanshan Residences Address: Tuanshan Village, Xizhuang Town, Jianshui County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture Opening hours: 9:00-18:00 Ticket price: 33 yuan/adult The parking lot is not very large, but the service is good. Both the village and the parking lot have very nice restrooms.

A Glimpse of History in a Small Town in Southern Yunnan

In the gentle breeze of the setting sun, I seem to return to China in 1920. Jianshui, the ancient capital of Lin'an Prefecture, a key town on the Tea Horse Road, I think its current state is just right, Commercial development just meets the basic needs of travelers.

Jianshui, indeed, is the little California of Yunnan (with travel tips)

The scenery and the moon are both beautiful, and the world is romantic. For those who love ancient architecture and historical culture, Jianshui is a must-visit in southeastern Yunnan and even the whole province. Here, you can find the human touch and sense of history everywhere. Not only is it less crowded here, but the scenery is also beautiful. 🏔️Recommended attractions in Jianshui: 1⃣ Jianshui Ancient Town: Square courtyards, century-old camphor trees, crisscrossing alleys, elderly people chatting under the trees, vendors carrying shoulder poles and hawking their wares... The simplicity and leisure of Jianshui Ancient Town can only be understood by visiting. 2️⃣ Ancient City Gate: It shares the same structure as the Tiananmen Gate but predates it by 25 years. You can go upstairs to overlook the entire city, and the red city walls are very photogenic. 3️⃣ Jianshui Little Train: Although it is a tourist train, the interior is very classic and exquisite. Along the way, you can check in at retro and artistic small stations, and you shouldn't miss the pastoral scenery. The station walls are mottled yellow, and the French plane trees are tall and large. 4️⃣ Beishan Taozhuang: Jianshui purple pottery is a traditional handicraft of Jianshui County. The entire scenic area is built with stones and various pottery, mainly focusing on purple pottery culture, ceramic landscape, and stone art. Here, we can immerse ourselves in the charm of traditional purple pottery culture. 🍡Food: ① Jianshui grilled tofu, grass sprout rice noodles: Must-try Jianshui delicacies, recommended are Banjing Tofu Workshop and Weidao Lin'an near the ancient town. ② Jianshui barbecue: Local recommended Western barbecue, as well as Yaojia barbecue found online are both good! ③ Yunnan cuisine: Lin'an Restaurant in the ancient town, the steam pot chicken is amazing. ④ Desserts, coffee shops: Papaya old shop's papaya water and purple rice dew, Guishanqiu Coffee Shop at Xianghui Bridge Station.

Practical Guide to Taking the Jianshui Mini Train

The Jianshui Mini Train runs on a railway whose predecessor was the Gejiu-Linping Railway, which was China's first and, to this day, the only remaining privately-owned railway. It is now a tourist route that features the Republic of China era style and takes on a literary and retro theme, making it a quite distinctive tourism project within the country. The mini train route has four stations: Lin'an Station, Shuanglong Bridge Station, Xianghui Bridge Station, and Tuanshan Station. Tickets are in high demand; they can only be purchased online one day in advance or at the station on the day of travel. Lin'an Station is located in the Jianshui city area, and the ticket includes a round trip. 1 Lin'an Station: The main station of the Jianshui Mini Train, located in the city area, while the other stations are in the suburbs. The station building was constructed in the 1970s and was previously a warehouse for the old Jianshui train station. 2 Shuanglong Bridge Station: The highlight is the Shuanglong Bridge, one of Yunnan Province's famous ancient relics, included in the annals of Chinese bridge construction history. It has seventeen arches, also known as the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and is a national key cultural relics protection unit. 3 Xianghui Bridge Station: The most characteristic station on the Gejiu-Linping Railway, it is also a modern building with a single eave that combines Chinese and French architectural features. 4 Tuanshan Station: Located 13 kilometers west of Jianshui Ancient Town in Tuanshan Village, it was historically a residence for the Yi ethnic group and is also a national key cultural relics protection unit. Ticket Prices: Peak season: Soft seat 150 RMB/person, hard seat 120 RMB/person; Off-peak season: Soft seat 120 RMB/person, hard seat 100 RMB/person Peak season includes January, February, July, August, and statutory holidays, while the rest of the time is considered off-peak. Departure Times: Morning shift: Departs from Lin'an Station at 9:00, arrives at Tuanshan Station at 10:30, stops at two stations in between, returns from Tuanshan Station at 13:00, arrives back at Lin'an Station at 13:40, does not stop at the two stations in between Afternoon shift: Departs from Lin'an Station at 14:30, arrives at Tuanshan Station at 16:00, stops at two stations in between, returns from Tuanshan Station at 17:50, arrives back at Lin'an Station at 18:30, does not stop at the two stations in between. TIPS: If you can't get a train ticket and you're driving yourself, you can drive along the mini train's route to each station to check in and take photos. After 10:30, the train will be at Tuanshan Station, so you can go on board to take a look and snap some photos. Although this doesn't allow you to experience the mini train, it saves time and money.

Jianshui Little Train

The Jianshui Little Train is located inside the Lin'an Station of Jianshui Ancient City, at the intersection of Yinghui Road and Donglin Road in Jianshui County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture. Jianshui County, belonging to the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, was historically known as Butou, also called Badian, with a history of over 1200 years of city establishment. It is reputed as 'the Zou Lu of Southern Yunnan, a famous state of literature,' and in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, the Lin'an Prefecture was established, with the prefectural government moved to Jianshui State, and the Lin'an Wei Commandery was set up. The land was expanded and the brick city was rebuilt, hence Jianshui City is also known as Lin'an City. Starting from 1910, local gentry repeatedly submitted joint petitions to Cai E, the Governor of Yunnan, requesting to raise funds from the public to build a railway from Gejiu to Mengzi and Jianshui. Cai E expressed his strong approval and replied with permission. In 1913, the 'Ge Bi Shi Railway Company Limited' was established. Due to the complex terrain in the southeastern part of Yunnan and the local gentry's consciousness of resource protection, the Ge Bi Shi Railway did not adopt the meter gauge like the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway but used a 6-inch gauge, that is, a 600-millimeter railway gauge. The construction of the Jijie to Jianshui section started in 1918 and opened to traffic in 1928. Currently, the little train runs two round trips daily from Lin'an to Tuanshan, with the schedule from 09:00 to 10:50 from Lin'an to Tuanshan in the morning, returning from 13:00 to 13:45, and in the afternoon, it departs from 14:30 to 16:20, with the return time from 17:50 to 18:35. The entire station of the Jianshui Ancient City little train, the decoration of the carriages, and the attire of the attendants are very historically atmospheric. Riding the tourist little train, the scenery on both sides of the route changes with the seasons. The train will pass by the Shuanglong Bridge and Xianghui Bridge, stopping for half an hour each for sightseeing, with the final stop at Tuanshan Station. ⏳Play Time: Free access to the train station, with parking available, playtime ranges from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. 📝Tips: If you want to take the little train for sightseeing, it is recommended to book tickets in advance. During the peak price season (January, February, July, August, and national legal holidays), the round-trip hard seat is 120 yuan/person, soft seat 150 yuan/person, one-way hard seat 100 yuan/person, soft seat 120 yuan/person. During the off-peak season (outside the peak season and national legal holidays), the round-trip hard seat is 100 yuan/person, soft seat 120 yuan/person, one-way hard seat 80 yuan/person, soft seat 100 yuan/person.