Jianshui Tourist Attractions
Zhilin Temple
In Jianshui they say, “Zhilin Temple was built first, and then Lin’an Town” (Lin’an being the old name for Jianshui). Towering over southwest Jianshui, the temple, with an ancient Song-dynasty-style timber frame rarely seen in Yunnan, has been crowned as the “First Temple of Lin’an.” Weathering over 700 years, the temple is a rare cultural jewel, even across the whole country.
Chaoyang Gate Tower
This is Jianshui town’s east gate. With a history of over 600 years, it was built 28 years earlier than Beijing’s Tian’anmen Rostrum. Chaoyang Gate Tower is located in the downtown area – one of the historical landmarks of the old town. When you stand at the top of the tower, you have a panoramic view of the old town.
Tuanshan Village
Legend recalls, Zhangbaoshizhai Village outside the old town caught the eye of a merchant named Zhang Fu, due to its fertile land and rustic folk customs, when he started trading in Jianshui. Settling in Tuanshan Village, his family grew vast.
The extant ancient buildings in Tuanshan include Han-style quadrangle dwellings, Yi-style earthen houses, and earthen houses blending Han and Yi styles with tiled eaves. They were mostly built beside hills in a compact arrangement. The Zhang Family Mansion is representative. Zhang descendants still live there. There are also other representative residential buildings with local characteristics, including the General Residence, the Residence of Imperial Bounty, and the Xiucai Dwelling (xiucai being those who passed the county-level imperial exam). Local people pay particular attention to construction material and workmanship, enjoying renown for their elaborate woodcarvings on beams and window lattices. Craftsmen adopted different carving or chiseling techniques. In the carvings you see figures, animals in different postures, plants, and geometric figures. Their superb skills amaze visitors.
Swallow Cave
The Swallow Cave is renowned for its unique karst features, flocks of white-rumped swiftlets, over 1,000 plaques hung on high stalactites, and birds’ nests that cover the cave walls. Old trees and famous species of timber grow on precipices and precipitous cliffs outside the cave. Swarms of white-rumped swiftlets are also found nestled in crags outside the cave.
The plaques hanging on high stalactites are a unique marvel. On stalactites over 50 meters above the river, over 1,000 plaques from different dynasties hang – put up by local farmers climbing the crags barehanded. The most fantastic spectacle of the Swallow Cave is found inside its water cave. After thousands of years of erosion and water flow, stalagmites and stalactites in amazing shapes have emerged. On entering, you feel you are stepping into a fairyland or the Dragon King’s palace, and cannot help but marvel at its oddities and depths, mystery and antiquity.
Transport
There is still no railway here, nor an airport. Tourists first go to Kunming, and then take a bus to Jianshui. In southern Yunnan, most roads wind through the mountains. Although the distance may not be far, it is still a long journey. However, given the picturesque and diversified landscape, you will not find it tedious.
Accommodation
Jianshui is well equipped with accommodation facilities. Hotels are all star-rated. The highest ratings here now are two-stars. Travelers within the ancient town can also choose private inns, mostly run by local residents, putting them in easy reach of local history and cultural attractions.
Food
Jianshui boasts a wide variety of delicacies with distinctive local flavors. Its long history also has bestowed refinement and exquisiteness on local foods. The innumerable specialties include steamed chicken in casserole, Yunnan rice noodles, sour pomegranate, braised tofu, lotus root stuffed with sticky rice, Qujiang roast duck, and steamed bread of sweet potato flour. Jianshui’s tofu was even highlighted in the famous documentary A Bite of China.
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