Top Things to Do in Jianshui

Visit the Jianshui Chaoyang Tower

A historical and cultural heritage of Jianshui, Jianshui Chaoyang Tower is at the eastern entrance of the town and is the only surviving one of the four original towers. This three-floor building features a flying eave roof, and exquisite wooden carvings and paintings. Because of its similarity to Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Chaoyang Tower is also nicknamed “Small Tiananmen”. On the tower, there is a giant bronze bell from the Tang Dynasty and a stone tablet with Jianshui’s history on it. The tower stands at a height of 24.5 meters, making it a great place to appreciate sunrise and panoramic views of the town.

Explore the Zhu Family Garden

Zhu Family Garden was built by the influential and wealthy Zhu family during the late Qing Dynasty. The garden houses 214 rooms and 42 courtyards which are scattered in three areas. The buildings in the residential area serve as living quarters, offices, and guest rooms and are connected by corridors and courtyards. The ancestral hall is the place where the Zhu family worshipped their ancestors and held ceremonies. In garden area is its highlight, with the elegant ponds, rockeries, pavilions, bridges, and flowers creating a leisurely and romantic atmosphere.

Admire the Jianshui Confucius Temple

Jianshui Confucius Temple is the largest Confucian temple in South China which was originally built during the Yuan Dynasty in traditional Chinese construction style. The temple covers an area of 114 acres and is constructed entirely following the style of the Confucius Temple in Qufu. It adopts a symmetrical palace-style layout along the north-south central axis, with 37 buildings symmetrically scattered on the east and west sides, among which, 31 buildings are still well-preserved.  

Not only a place to worship Confucius, the temple also served as an educational institution for over 700 years and produced many successful candidates in imperial examinations. It now stands as a testament to the important influence of Confucian culture and architecture in China. The Ancestral Master Hall is the main building of the temple where you can see regular ceremonies being held to worship Confucius.

Walk across the Twin Dragon Bridge

Located just outside Jianshui Ancient Town, the Twin Dragon Bridge is a stunning example of traditional Chinese bridge architecture from the Qing Dynasty. It stretches about 148 meters over the junction of Lu River and Tachong River, which looks like two dragons from afar, hence its name. The bridge consists of two separated single-arch bridges, with a width of 3-5 meters, and the span of each arch is 13.5 meters. Now, the bridge not only serves as a heritage to glimpses into the rich history of Jianshui Ancient Town, but also a great photography site surrounded by majestic mountains, lush fields, and clear rivers.

Experience the Multi-ethnic Culture at Tuanshan Village

Tuanshan Village is a traditional walled village that is inhabited by Han and Yi ethnic groups. With its history dating back to the lake 14^th century, the village invites visitors with over 200 well-preserved residences, gateways, temples, ancestral halls, and walls. All these ancient buildings face east, with blue-tile-covered roofs and white and gray exterior walls. Each residence in Tuanshan Village features finely crafted wood carvings on the roofs, walls, and beams, depicting figures, animal postures, plant patterns, and geometric shapes. Besides the exquisite craftsmanship and architectural style, you can also experience the self-sufficient rural life of local villagers who still wear their traditional ethnic costumes, and practice the traditional lifestyles and customs.

Sample Local Snacks and Specialities

Being inhabited by Han, Yi, Dai, Zhuang, Miao, and Hui ethnic groups, Jianshui Ancient Town is thus endowed with rich cuisine reflecting the unique culture and natural resources of this area. Tasting various local snacks and specialties is a can’t miss if you are traveling in Jianshui. Some of the popular snacks include barbecued tofu, steam-pot chicken, lion cake, cross-bridge rice noodles, and deep-fried lotus root with glutinous rice.