Jiangshui

Jianshui, the “Confucian Capital of South Yunnan,” boasts 1,200 years of scholarly legacy. At its heart stands China’s largest regional Confucius Temple—a 114-acre sanctuary of cypress-shaded courtyards and crimson pavilions where Ming-era scholars once sat for exams. Nearby, the 1389 Chaoyang Gate towers like a timeless sentinel, while the Zhu Family Garden’s 214-room complex whispers of Qing Dynasty merchant glory. Ride the vintage narrow-gauge train past Shuanglong Bridge’s 17 moon-arching spans to Tuanshan Village, a UNESCO-noted cluster of Ming-Qing mansions. In the pottery district, mold violet-clay teapots using 1,000-year-old techniques, then feast on “Jianshui 18 Delicacies”: silky grass-tip rice noodles and charcoal-grilled tofu dipped in chili-lime sauce. A living museum where history flavors every moment!