Jianchuan Old Town: Ming streets, painted couplets and a Sunday market
Jianchuan, about 2 hours north of Dali
A Bai town on the old caravan road, with its Ming street plan intact and hand-written couplets on nearly every door. Walk from the south gate past Jianyang Tower to the protected Ming and Qing houses on Ximen Street and Jingfeng Park, where the Confucian and Guandi temples share one garden. There is reportedly a Sunday market of produce and carved wood below Jianyang Tower.
What locals sayMost posts call it one of the best-kept towns on the Tea Horse Road, and visitors are surprised how uncommercial it still feels.
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- Half day · Morning
- In Chinese
- 剑川古城 剑阳楼
Based on what locals and regular visitors share, checked against current sources · Updated September 2026. Details change — check opening times locally.
