[2025 Jianchuan Attraction] Travel Guide for Shizhongshan Grottoes (Updated Mar)

I unexpectedly discovered this untamed sanctuary in Yunnan. Recommended Route Shaxi Service Center > Ouyang Courtyard > Mint Cafe > Ancient Stage > Grandma Rui's Shop > Yujin Bridge > Pioneer Bookstore > Poetry Pagoda Ouyang Courtyard Ouyang Courtyard is easy to find, just 200 meters past Sideng Street. It's a traditional Bai-style residence with a timeless, rustic charm. You can also recreate photos taken by other visitors at popular spots. Mint Cafe The Shaxi wall is right at the entrance, perfect for a photo op. This is also the "Youfeng Cafe" from the TV series "Meet Yourself." The set still resembles the show, but there's a purchase requirement for photos. Ancient Stage The ancient stage of Xingjiao Temple is a landmark of Shaxi Ancient Town, featuring stunning eaves, brackets, and vibrant colors. Grandma Rui's shop is next door, but like the Youfeng Cafe, there's a purchase requirement for photos. The temple itself, remarkably preserved in the Ming Dynasty architectural style, is also worth a visit. Yujin Bridge I love Yujin Bridge at sunrise and sunset when it's bathed in golden light. Early mornings offer breathtaking mist, and you might even encounter local musicians, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. Pioneer Bookstore A must-visit for literature lovers. The bookstore, converted from an old granary, has an incredibly rustic facade. The interior features a wooden structure, stocked with both new and old books. The sunlight filtering through the wooden beams gives the books a warm, inviting feel. Poetry Pagoda The Poetry Pagoda is behind the Pioneer Bookstore's cafe. I highly recommend going to the top! The view is superb, with warm sunshine and gentle breezes. Nearby Attractions: Shizhongshan Grottoes and Jianchuan Ancient Town Shibaoshan Scenic Area consists of Haiju Temple, Baoxiang Temple, and the Shizhongshan Grottoes. The Shizhongshan Grottoes, dating back to the Tang and Song Dynasties, are known as the "Dunhuang of the Southern Silk Road" and are the main attraction. Jianchuan Ancient Town is a living ancient city, with over 40 Ming Dynasty buildings and over 100 Qing Dynasty residences remarkably preserved. Inhabited mostly by locals, it seamlessly blends traditional and modern life. Travel Tips • Many streets in the ancient town are narrow and can get crowded. Be mindful of your belongings. • Wear comfortable athletic shoes and sun-protective clothing and hats, as the UV radiation is strong at high altitude. • Driving is recommended. It's about a 2-hour drive from Dali and a 1.5-hour drive from Lijiang, entirely on the expressway. Ride-sharing is also available from the ancient town for about 80 RMB per person, with a travel time of roughly two hours. • Accommodation in the ancient town mainly consists of inns and guesthouses. Staying overnight is recommended, with options for various budgets.

Under the mysterious veil of Yunnan lies an ancient city unknown to the world—Jianchuan. Here, it is the white moonlight of Yunnan in my heart.🌔 🌬️No matter how wild the wind of Shaxi is, Jianchuan remains as tranquil as ever, as if it is the last living ancient city in Yunnan. Jianchuan has finally been crowned as a famous historical and cultural city in China. Although it came a bit late, it is even more precious. The Ming and Qing buildings still stand tall here, and the shops follow the rhythm of working at sunrise and resting at sunset. Prices are friendly, and the two stone carvings, though niche, are rich in content. Xu Xiake lingered here hundreds of years ago, and today, Jianchuan's tranquil charm remains undiminished. ❗Practical Information: 🚌Transportation: There are daily buses from Dali directly to Jianchuan. 🏡Accommodation: The homestays around Zaojie Street are transformed from traditional residences, offering a unique charm. 🗺️Overview of a four-day, three-night trip to Jianchuan: 1: Stroll in Jianchuan Ancient City and feel the tranquility of the ancient city. 2: Visit the Shizhongshan Grottoes and experience Jianchuan's most important historical mark. 3: Shaxi Ancient Town, feel the unique charm of the Tea Horse Road. 4: Return to Dali or head to Lijiang to end this unforgettable journey. 📋❿Jianchuan Travel Tips, Not to Be Missed: ❶ Jianchuan and Shaxi, two pearls of the Tea Horse Road, with ancient road relics everywhere. ❷ Walking in the ancient city, a good pair of shoes is essential. Along the way, the ancient buildings, Jiama Inn, Ethnic Museum, and Jingfeng Park, Qianshi Mountain, each place has a story. ❸ Ming and Qing residences are still inhabited. Knock on the door and visit, and you may gain more surprises. ❹ Jianchuan's specialty food—Double Cap, affordable and delicious. ❺ Jiama Inn, showcasing intangible cultural heritage Jiama. Even if you don't enter the inn, the exterior is enough to satisfy you. ❻ Ximen Street is more tranquil and beautiful during the blue hour, not to be missed. ❼ Shizhongshan Grottoes, the treasure of Jianchuan, a light day hike that allows you to deeply understand the cultural integration of this land. ❽ Xingjiao Temple and the theater stage in Shaxi, the bridges on the Tea Horse Road, are historical witnesses not to be missed. ❾ Shaxi Pioneer Bookstore, not only a photo spot but also a treasure trove for understanding Dali culture. ❿ Jianchuan and Weishan, why are they not on your travel list? This has always been my confusion.

🎒The Shibao Mountain, located between Jianchuan county town and Shaxi ancient town, is a vast scenic area with the main attractions concentrated in two areas: 1️⃣ Baoxiang Temple and 2️⃣ Shizhongshan Stone Carvings. During the Spring Festival holiday, Baoxiang Temple attracts many local tourists who come to burn incense, while the Shizhongshan Grottoes see fewer visitors. Baoxiang Temple is about 2 kilometers from the eastern entrance of the scenic area and can be reached by the scenic area's sightseeing bus. The sightseeing bus has two stops: Baoxiang Temple and Shizhongshan. The fare from the entrance to Baoxiang Temple is 5 yuan one way, and from Baoxiang Temple to Shizhongshan is 15 yuan one way; tickets can be purchased in segments or as a combination. ⛰️The main attractions of Baoxiang Temple are the pavilion buildings and inscriptions arranged along the cliff walls, as well as the relatively civilized troop of monkeys🐒. Off the sightseeing bus, there is a square with many snack stalls, where monkeys have already appeared, and there are vendors selling snacks to feed the monkeys. As you ascend the stairs, you'll encounter many monkeys🐵🐵🐵, which are more well-behaved and docile than those at Emei Mountain or Qianling Mountain. Upon reaching the temple gate, you can see the sheer cliffs behind, with two pavilions built between the cliffs, connected by a rainbow bridge, and a thin stream cascading down the cliff, staining the rocks with mottled colors. There are paths on both sides of the cliff that lead to the Jinding Temple at the mountain top; the right path is longer, passing by monks' graves, Tongming Pavilion, and Lingquan Hermitage, all built against the mountain rocks. Jinding Temple enshrines the local Bai people's patron deity, and many locals come here to draw divination lots and enjoy a communal feast. I got off the sightseeing bus, ascended the mountain, took the right path to the top, and the left path down. Along the way, I watched monkeys, took photos, and spent about 3 hours. It also took about 3 hours to visit the Shizhongshan Stone Carvings, and there were some scattered attractions I didn't have time to visit. To tour everything in one go, you definitely need to come early.