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!