Jianshui is a county town in southern Yunnan, in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, on the southern edge of the eastern Yunnan plateau. It was the political, military and cultural center of southern Yunnan for more than 500 years, from the Yuan to the late Qing, and it is a national historic and cultural city. Chinese sources call it the “Zou-Lu of southern Yunnan”, after the home region of Confucius, because it produced many examination scholars.
| County | 3,782 km²; 554,800 residents in 2020; minorities 41.5%, mainly Yi, Hui and Hani |
|---|---|
| Confucian Temple | begun 1285; 76,000 m² in six courtyards; the largest and best-preserved in southwest China, behind only Qufu and Beijing; national protected site since 2001 |
| Chaoyang Tower | built 1389 as the east gate tower; 24.5 m high; nicknamed “Little Tiananmen”; national protected site since 2006 |
| Twin Dragon Bridge | 17-arch stone bridge; 14 arches added in 1839 to an older 3-arch bridge; national protected site since 2006 |
| History | Nanzhao built the city Huili; Ming prefecture seat from 1382; made a county in 1770 |
The old town
Nanzhao built a city here called Huili, from which the Chinese name Jianshui comes. In 1382 the Ming moved the seat of Lin’an prefecture to Jianshui, set up a garrison and rebuilt the town in brick, so it is also called Lin’an. The Qing kept it as a prefecture seat and made it a county in 1770. Its examination tradition earned it the title “famous land of literature.”
Chaoyang Tower
The tower was the east gate of the Ming town, called Yinghui Gate, and was built in 1389. Its style resembles Beijing’s Tiananmen, hence the nickname Little Tiananmen. It has three floors, 48 large wooden columns and a three-tier hip roof, and stands 24.5 meters high. A calligraphy board facing east reads “a strong guard over the southeast.” It became a national protected site in 2006.
Confucian Temple
Jianshui’s Confucian Temple was begun in 1285 and enlarged under the Ming and Qing. It covers 76,000 square meters in six courtyards, and Chinese Wikipedia calls it the best-preserved and largest in southwest China, second only to those at Qufu and Beijing. A large pond, the “sea of learning,” takes up about half of the area, with an island pavilion linked by a three-arch bridge. The main hall has 22 outer columns each cut from a single block of blue stone. It became a national protected site in 2001.
Twin Dragon Bridge
The Twin Dragon Bridge crosses the meeting of the Lu River and the Tachong River and is called the largest and most artistically valuable ancient stone bridge in Yunnan. A three-arch bridge was built here in the Qianlong years. After floods rebuilt the river course, donors added fourteen arches in 1839 for a total of seventeen, with three pavilions on top. The pavilions burned in 1856 and were rebuilt by 1898. Traffic was restricted from 2008, and a wetland park opened by 2020.
Planning Jianshui
Jianshui is usually reached from Kunming and visited for one night; it fits between Kunming and Yuanyang, see Yuanyang. We have not verified details of the caves and pottery workshops sometimes visited near the town, so check current access. See also our China tours.
Planning Jianshui with Absolute Asia Tours
Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. For Jianshui that means a driver from Kunming, a guide who explains the old town and the temple, and a night in a courtyard guest house. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. See our China tours or tell us your dates.
Sources (read in Chinese, Chinese Wikipedia): 建水县, 建水文庙, 朝阳楼, 双龙桥. Last checked November 2026.
Jianshui: FAQ
What is Jianshui known for?
A Ming old town with Chaoyang Tower, one of the largest Confucian temples in China, and the Twin Dragon Bridge.
How big is Jianshui’s Confucian Temple?
About 76,000 square meters in six courtyards, begun in 1285.
Why is Chaoyang Tower called Little Tiananmen?
Its building style resembles Beijing’s Tiananmen. It was built in 1389 as the town’s east gate.
How many arches does the Twin Dragon Bridge have?
Seventeen. Fourteen arches were added in 1839 to an earlier three-arch bridge.
How many days do you need in Jianshui?
One night is usual, between Kunming and Yuanyang.
Photo: Anja Disseldorp, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. The Twin Dragon Bridge, Jianshui.
