[2024 Jianchuan Attraction] Travel Guide for Shizhongshan Grottoes (Updated Sep)
Grottoes
Address:
Jianchuan, Dali, Yunnan, China
Opening times:
Open today at 09:00-17:00Opening Soon
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hours
Phone:
0872-4787029
Under the mysterious veil of Yunnan lies an ancient city unknown to the world—Jianchuan Ancient City
Under the mysterious veil of Yunnan lies an ancient city unknown to the world—Jianchuan. Here, it is the white moonlight of Yunnan in my heart.🌔
🌬️No matter how wild the wind of Shaxi is, Jianchuan remains as tranquil as ever, as if it is the last living ancient city in Yunnan. Jianchuan has finally been crowned as a famous historical and cultural city in China. Although it came a bit late, it is even more precious. The Ming and Qing buildings still stand tall here, and the shops follow the rhythm of working at sunrise and resting at sunset. Prices are friendly, and the two stone carvings, though niche, are rich in content. Xu Xiake lingered here hundreds of years ago, and today, Jianchuan's tranquil charm remains undiminished.
❗Practical Information:
🚌Transportation: There are daily buses from Dali directly to Jianchuan.
🏡Accommodation: The homestays around Zaojie Street are transformed from traditional residences, offering a unique charm.
🗺️Overview of a four-day, three-night trip to Jianchuan:
1: Stroll in Jianchuan Ancient City and feel the tranquility of the ancient city.
2: Visit the Shizhongshan Grottoes and experience Jianchuan's most important historical mark.
3: Shaxi Ancient Town, feel the unique charm of the Tea Horse Road.
4: Return to Dali or head to Lijiang to end this unforgettable journey.
📋❿Jianchuan Travel Tips, Not to Be Missed:
❶ Jianchuan and Shaxi, two pearls of the Tea Horse Road, with ancient road relics everywhere.
❷ Walking in the ancient city, a good pair of shoes is essential. Along the way, the ancient buildings, Jiama Inn, Ethnic Museum, and Jingfeng Park, Qianshi Mountain, each place has a story.
❸ Ming and Qing residences are still inhabited. Knock on the door and visit, and you may gain more surprises.
❹ Jianchuan's specialty food—Double Cap, affordable and delicious.
❺ Jiama Inn, showcasing intangible cultural heritage Jiama. Even if you don't enter the inn, the exterior is enough to satisfy you.
❻ Ximen Street is more tranquil and beautiful during the blue hour, not to be missed.
❼ Shizhongshan Grottoes, the treasure of Jianchuan, a light day hike that allows you to deeply understand the cultural integration of this land.
❽ Xingjiao Temple and the theater stage in Shaxi, the bridges on the Tea Horse Road, are historical witnesses not to be missed.
❾ Shaxi Pioneer Bookstore, not only a photo spot but also a treasure trove for understanding Dali culture.
❿ Jianchuan and Weishan, why are they not on your travel list? This has always been my confusion.
MitchellScarlett40
Shibao Mountain's Baoxiang Temple in Jianchuan is a place where the wind soars a thousand ren high, and the pavilions are bathed in flowing red
🎒The Shibao Mountain, located between Jianchuan county town and Shaxi ancient town, is a vast scenic area with the main attractions concentrated in two areas: 1️⃣ Baoxiang Temple and 2️⃣ Shizhongshan Stone Carvings. During the Spring Festival holiday, Baoxiang Temple attracts many local tourists who come to burn incense, while the Shizhongshan Grottoes see fewer visitors.
Baoxiang Temple is about 2 kilometers from the eastern entrance of the scenic area and can be reached by the scenic area's sightseeing bus. The sightseeing bus has two stops: Baoxiang Temple and Shizhongshan. The fare from the entrance to Baoxiang Temple is 5 yuan one way, and from Baoxiang Temple to Shizhongshan is 15 yuan one way; tickets can be purchased in segments or as a combination. ⛰️The main attractions of Baoxiang Temple are the pavilion buildings and inscriptions arranged along the cliff walls, as well as the relatively civilized troop of monkeys🐒. Off the sightseeing bus, there is a square with many snack stalls, where monkeys have already appeared, and there are vendors selling snacks to feed the monkeys. As you ascend the stairs, you'll encounter many monkeys🐵🐵🐵, which are more well-behaved and docile than those at Emei Mountain or Qianling Mountain. Upon reaching the temple gate, you can see the sheer cliffs behind, with two pavilions built between the cliffs, connected by a rainbow bridge, and a thin stream cascading down the cliff, staining the rocks with mottled colors. There are paths on both sides of the cliff that lead to the Jinding Temple at the mountain top; the right path is longer, passing by monks' graves, Tongming Pavilion, and Lingquan Hermitage, all built against the mountain rocks. Jinding Temple enshrines the local Bai people's patron deity, and many locals come here to draw divination lots and enjoy a communal feast.
I got off the sightseeing bus, ascended the mountain, took the right path to the top, and the left path down. Along the way, I watched monkeys, took photos, and spent about 3 hours. It also took about 3 hours to visit the Shizhongshan Stone Carvings, and there were some scattered attractions I didn't have time to visit. To tour everything in one go, you definitely need to come early.