The ancient city of Jianchuan is an ancient city full of historical charm and characteristics of Bai culture.
I. Traffic Guide
• Public transportation: From Dali Xiaguan Bus Station, there is a bus to Jianchuan every half hour from 8:00 to 17:00 every day. The journey is about 3.5 hours, and the ticket price is 35 yuan. It's about a 2-hour drive from Lijiang to Jianchuan.
• Self-driving or chartered car: If you want to explore the surrounding attractions in depth, such as Shaxi, Shibaoshan, etc., it is recommended to self-drive or use the chartered car service to make travel more flexible and time-saving. Motor vehicles are prohibited in the ancient city, and walking or renting bicycles is the best way to visit.
II. Must-visit scenic spots
•The ancient architectural complex of Ximen Street: This is the core area of the ancient city and also a national key cultural relic protection unit. It is concentrated in the courtyard of "three squares and one photo wall" in the Ming Dynasty, the flying eaves and bucket arch of Zhaozhong Temple, and the carved lintain of Zhang Mian Courtyard, all of which are the living fossils of the Bai people's architectural art.
• Jingfeng Park: It is a national key cultural relics protection ancient architectural complex built in the Yuan Dynasty. The wooden carved lattice door of Kuixing Pavilion in the park is carved with patterns such as "Phoenix through Peony" and "Heron on Lotus", which can be called the pinnacle of Dali wood carving.
• Jianyang Tower: The new landmark of the ancient city, which is rebuilt according to the ruins, is the location of the National Fangzhi Museum and the Southern Silk Road Branch. There are also wood carving art museums and several celebrity memorials nearby.
• Wood carving town: You can watch the non-hereditary inheritor carving window lattic here and feel the unique charm of Jianchuan as the "hometown of Chinese wood carving".
III. Nearby attractions
• Shizhongshan Grottoes: Known as the "Treasure of Nantian", it is as famous as Dunhuang, and is the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. The grottoes were carved from the period from Nanzhao to Dali, and the 139 statues of the 16 grottoes depict the history of the integration of Nanzhao court life and Buddhism.
•Shaxi Ancient Town: It is known as "the only surviving market on the tea-horse ancient road". Sideng Street, Sifang Street, Centennial Theatre and Heihui River Yujin Bridge, etc., all retain the prosperous scene of the era of Ma Gang.
• Qianshi Mountain: There are 3,268 stone lions on the mountain, spanning the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. They are carved according to the mountain situation. The lion king is 25 meters high, and the top can overlook the whole view of the ancient city.
IV. Food Recommendation
• Mountain Old Leg Hot Pot: Located in the ancient city of Jianchuan, it is a popular restaurant, which has also been recommended by CCTV. Its signature mountain old leg hot pot is 88 yuan / pot. The soup base is rich, and the ham is not greasy and salty. The bamboo shoots are delicious and crispy. It can also be matched with morel, shepherd's purse and other ingredients, and the taste is rich.
• Three kinds of dishes in Jianchuan: including stewed chicken, braised chicken, and fried colorful potatoes. The ingredients are taken from the mountains and the original taste.
• Tiger palm bacteria: rare wild bacteria, delicious salad, you can buy fresh fungi at the local market.
•Wou snacks: such as Wangji bean jelly, bean curd, milk fan, etc., with rose sauce and spicy dipping dishes, experience the white version of "cooked tea"
• Wang Ji Liangfen: It is a time-honored snack bar at No. 51 Wenzhao Street, Beimen Village, the ancient city. Signature bean jelly 5 yuan / bowl, rich in seasonings, sour and spicy, soft and smooth. It is recommended to roast the tofu in a small stove and roast it in one bite, and the dipping sauce is also very rich. In addition, fried pork belly, roast milk fan, etc. are also worth a try, about 30 yuan per person.
• Double cap bait wire / rice noodles: Yangji's time-honored double cap is recommended, located at No. 116, Dongmen Pedestrian Street, Gucheng East Road. This is the "soul CP" of Jianchuan people's breakfast. The bait and rice noodles are double based, covered with sauce and dried meat and fresh meat slices, and then poured with pork bone soup. The soup is rich, and you can eat enough for 10 yuan, which is very cost-effective.
• Jianchuan red cake: that is, ham moon cake, which has two flavors of sweet and salty. It is a special pastry of Jianchuan. The sweet taste is sweet, soft and glutinous, and the salty ham has a strong fragrance. It can be bought in the pastry shop in the ancient city.
• Milk fan bait block: This is a street snack. The roasted milk fan is wrapped in the bait block, and then rose sauce and other seasonings are added according to personal taste. The taste is rich, sweet and delicious.
• Eight bowls of the Bai nationality: including native chicken, ham, hot and sour fish and other dishes, which are the traditional banquet dishes of the Bai nationality. You can taste them in the farmhouses around the ancient city, which can make you feel the rich food culture of the Bai nationality.
V. Accommodation strategy
• Four Seasons Soft Light Hotel (Dali Jianchuan Ancient City Store): Located near Jianchuan Bus Station, very close to the ancient city and convenient to travel. The hotel has new facilities, equipped with laundry rooms, parent-child theme rooms, buffet breakfast, etc. It also provides free parking and free laundry services, which is suitable for family travel and business travel. It is rated 4.7 on Ctrip.
• Zhujunfu Inn: It was transformed from an ancient house in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with gardens and ponds in the interior, which is antique. The rooms are simple and clean, the beds are comfortable, and they are located next to the main street of the ancient city, but they are very quiet, allowing tourists to enjoy a quiet accommodation experience.
• Shuxia Inn: Located at No. 30, Jianglehe Village, Southeast Village Committee, Shaxi Town, it is a medium and high-end simple style homestay, converted from traditional Bai people's residences. The rooms are equipped with smart home and star-rated bedding, and some rooms have their own fence courtyard. The inn also provides experience activities such as making tea around the stove, so that visitors can feel the leisurely life of the local area.
• Hejia Garden: Located at No. 44, Xianglong'e Village, Hualong Village Committee, Shaxi Town, it integrates the traditional architectural aesthetics of the Bai nationality with modern cultural tourism services. The rooms are equipped with a smart home system, and some suites can enjoy a panoramic view of the countryside and the ancient town. The vision cafe in the homestay was selected as the "famous Cang'er Coffee Shop" in Dali Prefecture. Tourists can taste freshly ground coffee here and enjoy a slow life in the middle of the mountain.
• Xiashan · Shaxi Shiye Garden Hotel: Located at No. 115, Sideng Street, Shaxi Ancient Town, the surrounding Mabang culture and pastoral scenery complement each other. The hotel is equipped with a 24-hour exclusive travel butler for each guest, and will also organize camping, horse meals and other experience activities. It scored 4.7 points on Ctrip, ranking 2nd in the list of boutique homestays in Shaxi Ancient Town.
• Po Wu is a mountain resident homestay: located on the top of Hualong Village, Shaxi Town, overlooking the whole Shaxi ancient town and surrounding villages. The homestay is transformed from a rammed old courtyard, which combines the traditional and modern art styles of the Bai nationality. Each window is like a picture frame, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.
VI. Precautions
Traffic and parking
1. Motor vehicles are prohibited in the ancient city. Please park in the outer parking lot of the ancient city (about 3 yuan for 3 hours and 8 yuan during the day). It is more appropriate to enter on foot or rent a bicycle.
2. There are many and uneven slate roads in the ancient city. Try to bring light luggage. It is recommended to choose a small size or soft bag for the suitcase to avoid dragging difficulties.
3. To go to nearby scenic spots such as Shaxi and Shibaoshan, it is recommended to charter a car or self-drive. There are few public transportation trips and long waiting time.
4. Roads in mountainous areas are steep, and self-driving needs to slow down, and pay attention to avoid pedestrians and motorcycles. In the rainy season, the road is slippery and drive cautiously.
Seasons and dress
1. The best season is March-May, September-November, with a comfortable climate; rainy summers, large temperature difference in winter, windproof jackets and warm clothes.
2. There are many stone roads and steps in the ancient city and Shibao Mountain and Qianshi Mountain. Wear non-slip hiking shoes or hiking shoes to avoid spraining your feet.
3. The ultraviolet rays on the plateau are strong. Be sure to bring SPF50 + sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hat to prevent sunburn.
4. In the rainy season (June-August), prepare rain gear and anti-skid shoes. There are prone to thunderstorms in the afternoon in the mountainous areas. Plan the trip in advance.
Safety and health
1. There are many steps in Shibao Mountain and Qianshi Mountain, and those with insufficient physical strength can choose scenic cars; the steps are slippery on rainy days, avoiding steep slopes and moss areas.
2. The wild fungus season (June-October) is only eaten in regular restaurants, and wild bacteria are not picked and cooked by themselves to prevent poisoning.
3. The signal in the mountainous area is unstable, download the offline map in advance; at night, the ancient city is dark, equipped with flashlights or mobile phone lighting, and travel together.
4. There are wild macaques in Shibaoshan and other areas. Don't feed or tease them. Take good care of your belongings to avoid being scratched.
Culture and civilization
1. Before visiting the ancient houses and houses of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, first knock on the door to explain the intention and obtain consent before entering; do not touch wood carvings, doors and windows and other cultural relics, and do not take photos at will.
2. Keep quiet in temples and grottoes, do not climb, touch statues, do not paint or engrave, and abide by the protection regulations of cultural relics.
3. Respect the customs of the Bai people, such as not eating noisy, not breaking into ** places at will, and participating in folk activities and obeying guidance.
4. Keep quiet after 10 o'clock at night in the ancient city, do not make noise, and do not affect the rest of the residents.
Consumption and reservation
1. The ancient city is free of charge. Shizhongshan Grottoes are about 50 yuan, Shaxi Xingjiao Temple and other scenic spots are charged separately. Check the official website discounts and joint tickets in advance.
2. During the peak season (holidays, during the Shibao Mountain Song Festival), accommodation and vehicles are booked in advance, and the room rate is often discounted on weekdays.
3. Wood carving, armor and horse and other intangible cultural heritage experience projects (about 100 yuan/time), first ask the price and duration to avoid disputes.
4. Confirm the price before shopping and dining. For horse riding, rafting and other items, look at the price first and then consume, and refuse verbal bargaining and forced consumption.
Other practical tips
• The catering in the ancient city is mainly local snacks. The time-honored brands such as Wang Ji bean jelly and Yang Ji double-cover bait are mostly patronized by locals, which is cost-effective.
• There are many mosquitoes in mountainous areas, so prepare mosquito repellent liquid; the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, and the thin coat is matched with the warm layer, which is convenient to increase or decrease.