Follow Li Xian to discover a hidden gem of elegance in southern Yunnan's ancient charm

Jianshui Heyuan Hotel is located in the heart of Jianshui Ancient Town, transformed over seven years from traditional residences dating back to the late Qing and early Republican periods. The architecture strictly adheres to the principle of "repairing the old as old," preserving original features like blue-brick walls, dark-tiled roofs, carved door lintels, and the classic "four buildings surrounding five courtyards" layout. Guest rooms retain original wooden beams, while beds feature specially crafted clay bed boards made using Jianshui's thousand-year-old purple pottery techniques. All rooms are air-conditioned, with toiletries presented in handmade purple pottery vessels. The minibar offers local specialty snacks like small-grain coffee and lion-shaped pastries. For breakfast, don't miss the freshly grilled Jianshui West Gate tofu with chili dip. At dinner, try the three-way chicken hot pot (clear broth, matsutake mushroom stew, and purple pottery braised). Enjoy afternoon tea in the courtyard with Jianshui's unique "sweet-sour pomegranate flower tea," paired with bird's nest pastries baked in purple pottery. This compact 2-acre micro-landscape embodies the concept of "experiencing all of Lin'an's spring in one courtyard," distilling 600 years of Jianshui's cultural heritage into tangible living aesthetics. As evening drums sound, sipping Yunnan Moonlight White tea while seated on traditional "beauty's rest" benches reveals the true meaning of being the "Confucian Center of Southern Yunnan."