Embrace the Charm of Ancient Jianshui Town

Jianshui, an ancient town steeped in charm, nestled in the embrace of Yunnan’s Honghe River. It is renowned for its […]

Jianshui, an ancient town steeped in charm, nestled in the embrace of Yunnan’s Honghe River. It is renowned for its majestic architecture, ancient culture, and delectable cuisine. If you wish to immerse yourself in this ancient ambiance, please follow me as we explore the mysteries of Jianshui together.

First and foremost, a visit to Jianshui necessitates a trip to the Jianshui Confucius Temple, renowned for its worship of Confucius, the progenitor of Confucianism. Here, you can almost travel back in time, feeling the profound Confucian atmosphere. The closed red doors exude the vicissitudes of time, while the elegant courtyard radiates the light of wisdom. Strolling among the temple’s halls, appreciate the artistic beauty of ancient murals, savoring the harvest of ancient wisdom.

A short walk away brings you to the famous Zhu Family Garden, a perfect exemplar of classical Chinese garden architecture, famous for its exquisite brick and wood carving craftsmanship. Wandering through the garden’s winding corridors, you feel the ancient charm of red walls and gray tiles, savoring the perfect combination of nature and art as envisioned by the ancients.

In addition to its rich historical heritage, Jianshui is not short of a touch of freshness. The Jianshui Miniature Train has a century-old history and is China’s oldest narrow-gauge steam locomotive, playing a significant role in transportation in the last century. Arriving at the Lian’an Station of the Ancient Town Miniature Train, boarding the train will take you along a winding railway line, allowing you to appreciate the beautiful countryside and the scenery of the Jianshui town.A gentle breeze blows, and the wheels rattle, making time stand still and allowing you to feel the weight of history. Along the train route, you can see Jianshui’s iconic structure—the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. This ancient and magnificent stone bridge spans the water’s surface, and as you walk on it, you’ll feel the cool and tranquil clear river water flowing beneath. Capture a photo, leaving behind a beautiful memory.

Jianshui Shuanglong Bridge, also known as the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, was first built during the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing era, renovated during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, and repaired again in 1960.

The journey in Jianshui is a journey of beautiful scenery and gastronomy. Let’s taste the most famous delicacy in Jianshui—the Qiguo Banquet. The Qiguo is a truly magical way of cooking, nourishing, light, and delicious. The most famous dish, of course, is the Qiguo Chicken. Made with fresh free-range chicken and special seasonings, this unique traditional dish is stewed through a unique cooking method. The aroma of Qiguo Chicken is pervasive, tender and juicy, melting in the mouth, leaving an endless aftertaste.

After dinner, visit the Jin Lian’an Tea Garden to watch a splendid performance of ‘Jin Lian’an Flower Lantern Singing and Dancing’. As the lights gradually dim, the stage in the center of the venue is brightly lit, and the music starts. A splendid performance of the Flower Lantern Singing and Dancing begins.

The program, set against the backdrop of Jianshui’s historical culture and traditional homestays, vividly displays ancient stories to the audience through exquisite costumes and instantly changing stage devices.If you come to Jianshui, don’t forget to stroll down Zitao Street, where you can feel the world’s breath and taste authentic Jianshui delicacies. The street is lined with many snack stalls, making it a joyful place to gather with friends to eat grilled tofu and barbecue. Among the local favorites are Jianshui barbecue, grass bud rice noodles, and Jianshui small tofu, and so on.

In the dance, performers captivate the audience’s attention and laughter, sometimes dancing gracefully, sometimes humorously. This adds to the vibrant atmosphere of the town.

Jianshui is not only a place to appreciate the treasures of ancient Chinese culture and feel the rich cultural heritage, but it also offers a feast of delicious food that whets people’s appetites. Whether it’s the Confucius Temple, Zhu Family Garden, miniature train, or Seventeen-Arch Bridge, every corner is filled with history and stories. Let’s walk into this small town together and leave our own memories.