Things to do in Jianchuan

I highly recommend Shaxi Ancient Town! It's completely different from Dali and Lijiang; it's not overly commercialized, and it's not crowded. Strolling leisurely through Yujin Bridge, Sideng Street, and the ancient stage, walking through the old Bai alleyways is incredibly soothing. Prices are reasonable, and the food is authentic. No need to rush through itineraries; just relax and unwind. Be aware of the temperature difference between day and night, so bring a jacket. A half-day trip is perfect; you won't want to leave!

Jianchuan's tourism resources emphasize both historical culture and natural landscapes: Jianchuan Ancient City: Founded in the Yuan Dynasty, it retains a large number of Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings. Over 90% of the residences are in the Bai ethnic style, featuring the "three courtyards and one screen wall" or "four courtyards and five patios" layout. The ancient building complex on Ximen Street is a national key cultural relics protection unit. Visitors can stroll along the bluestone alleys and experience intangible cultural heritage such as the worship of local deities and Jianchuan wood carving. Shibaoshan Scenic Area: Famous for its Danxia landforms and grotto art, the Shibaoshan Grottoes are hailed as "Southern Treasures," masterpieces of carving from the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms periods. Every year from February to August in the lunar calendar, the Shibaoshan Song Festival is held here, where visitors can listen to Bai folk songs and experience traditional festivals. Shaxi Ancient Town: A well-preserved market town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, with attractions such as Sideng Street, the Sifang Street Ancient Stage, and Yujin Bridge exuding a rustic charm. We recommend taking a stroll across Yujin Bridge at dusk to enjoy a panoramic sunset. Qianshi Mountain: Named for its more than 3,000 stone lion sculptures, visitors can climb the mountain to admire the uniquely shaped lions and experience the tranquil mountain forest praised by Xu Xiake. Jian Lake: A highland wetland, it is a habitat for black-necked cranes in winter. Cycling around the lake or camping offers a chance to enjoy natural peace and quiet.

I stayed two nights in Shaxi Ancient Town. Although I set my alarm early both nights, I was still late when I arrived at Yujin Bridge. Looking at the bridge already packed with tourists, I couldn't help but sigh: it turns out that not only is work competitive, but tourism is also a highly competitive art. Nearby, the school's "Athletes' March" was playing over the loudspeaker, adding a touch of humor to the scene, making me feel like a primary school student rushing to school. Seeing the crowds growing larger, I tried to avoid them and go higher up. Unexpectedly, I discovered a coffee shop under renovation. Since it was early and the workers hadn't started yet, I shamelessly went inside. It was this action that allowed me to witness the true morning mist of Shaxi. - Location: Navigate to "Yi Lu You Shan" near Shaxi Ancient Town

The beauty of Jianhu Lake is really hard to describe in words. If you have been to Dali, if you have been to Qinghai Lake, if you have been to Erhai Lake, the scenery here is really no worse than that, especially at sunset on a sunny day, it is really beautiful.

Ouyang Courtyard, a five-star hotel in the Tea Horse Post! This courtyard was built in 1912, with doors and windows made of mortise and tenon joints, and it took five years to build. It is also a typical Bai architecture, with a construction area of ​​about 3,000 square meters. It is also a post station that only wealthy families who traveled to sell tea could afford to live in.

Sideng Village, located in Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, was once a market town with great influence on the ancient Tea-Horse Road. The clear waves of the Heihui River flow quietly, and the locust trees in the ancient market stand silently, witnessing the bustle and silence of the ancient village, and also witnessing its prosperity again. In 2001, Sideng Street in Sideng Village was selected into the World Monumental Architectural Heritage Protection List; in 2012, Sideng Village was included in the first batch of Chinese traditional villages. Living here, when the afterglow of the sunset covers the ancient stage, the towering ancient locust trees begin to usher in its own bustle.

Jianchuan Shaxi Ancient Town is the only authentic ancient town on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road that has been preserved to this day. The Sifang Street Market in the center, the ancient buildings are authentic, and the old machines are all original, which are well worth visiting.

It started in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty and has been around for more than 600 years. It is the largest existing Ming "Azhali Temple" in China, and the architecture is worth seeing. The three-courtyard mountain gate hall was destroyed in a fire in 1923, while the main hall and the second hall are relics of the Ming Dynasty. They are the earliest wooden structures in Yunnan, and most of them are original. Its beams and columns are fat, and the brackets are magnificent, with some traces of the style of Song and Yuan temple architecture. What's more rare is that there are more than 20 murals in the main hall, which were painted by Bai painter Zhang Bao in 1417. For example, the "Five Buddhas" is delicately depicted and richly colored. Unfortunately, it was once a dormitory during a special period, and the murals were damaged by cooking smoke, and can only be vaguely seen in the mottled. During the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, Yang Shen visited here to appreciate the crabapple and wrote a poem, "Two trees are in full bloom in spring, who is the sentimental person who cherishes the beauty."

Stepping into the Jianchuan Woodcarving Art Town from the unique woodcarving archway, a nine-hole stone bridge connects the two banks on the wide lake. The Woodcarving Art Museum, Fengshui Tower, stage, Bai courtyard... A unique town dominated by Jianchuan Bai woodcarving style and with multiple characteristics slowly unfolds before your eyes. The town is based on the inheritance advantages of the woodcarving craftsmanship of Shihe Woodcarving Village and the Jianchuan Woodcarving Cultural Industrial Park, and consists of a new construction area and the upgrading and reconstruction area of ​​Shihe Old Village. The woodcarving town is 2 kilometers away from the Diannan entrance and exit of Dali Expressway and Hejianlan Expressway, and is directly accessible to the town via Shihui Highway. The Woodcarving Art Town, which has been opened in September, will be built into a woodcarving full industry chain platform and healthy living destination integrating woodcarving processing, production, sales, and experience, and will fully link tourism resources such as Jianhu Lake, Jianchuan Ancient City, Shaxi Ancient Town, and Laojun Mountain, and integrate high-quality and high-standard tourism loops in the Great Western Yunnan.

This visit to the attraction was an excellent experience. It boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, beautiful natural scenery, and excellent facilities, making for a smooth and comfortable overall tour. In conclusion, this attraction is of exceptional quality and highly worth visiting; it is strongly recommended to all tourists.