Lin’an Story Inn in Jianshui County, Honghe

Basic Information

• Location:
  No. 12 Taishi Lane (near Hanlin Street), core area of Jianshui Ancient Town, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Situated in the heart of the ancient cultural district, it’s a 3-minute walk from Zhu Family Garden and a 5-minute walk from Jianshui Confucius Temple. Surrounded by purple pottery workshops and time-honored snack stalls (e.g., “Fují” watercress dumplings), it offers a peaceful retreat amid the town’s historic bustle, ideal for exploring the ancient town’s essence.
• Architectural Features:
  Originally the “Li Family Residence” from the late Qing Dynasty, it preserves the traditional southern Yunnan layout of a “two-courtyard compound with four-sided courtyards and five skylights.” Green-tiled roofs, carved wooden windows, stone-paved courtyards, and lush greenery create a harmonious scene. Interior decor features purple pottery, ethnic brocade, and vintage wooden furniture, while public areas display Jianshui’s old photos, ancient horse caravan bells, and other folk artifacts, recreating the 市井 (urban) life of a century ago. Spanning 1,000㎡, the inn has only 12 rooms, ensuring an intimate and exclusive atmosphere.
• Opening Year: 2019 (awarded “Jianshui Ancient Town Demonstration Project for Residential Revitalization,” preserving original beams and carvings during restoration).

Guest Rooms: A Modern Twist on Ancient Living

• Room Types:
  12 rooms divided into three categories—”Xiangshen” (Deep Alley, standard rooms), “Tingyou” (Quiet Courtyard, king rooms), and “Yunqi” (Cloud-Nest, suites)—named after Jianshui’s ancient poems. Each room is nestled in a unique courtyard with distinct styles:
  • Xiangshen Standard Room: Faces ancient alleys, offering views of green tiles and stone steps, equipped with solid wood desks and purple pottery tea sets.
  • Tingyou King Room: Overlooks the central courtyard’s fishpond, featuring a vintage carved wooden bed and rattan chairs—perfect for couples.
  • Yunqi Family Suite: Duplex design with a second-floor children’s tent and ancient town-themed picture books, including Hanfu (traditional clothing) experiences for kids.
• Amenities:
  • Slumberland mattresses, private bathrooms (some with bathtubs), central air conditioning, smart TVs, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
  • Customized toiletries (including Jianshui purple pottery 漱口 cups (toothbrush cups), available as souvenirs), free minibar (with local tamarind juice and Pu’er tea).
  • Electric blankets in winter; mosquito-repellent sachets (handmade with local mugwort) in summer.

Dining & Public Spaces: Tastes of the Ancient Town

• Courtyard Breakfast:
  Free Chinese breakfast is served daily from 8:00–10:00 in the courtyard, highlighting Jianshui’s flavors:
  • Must-Try: Watercress rice noodles (with homemade chicken broth + secret meat sauce), charcoal-grilled tofu (paired with the owner’s homemade millet pepper dip), and handmade purple rice steamed cakes.
  • Unique Experience: Book a session at the “Apo Kitchen” to learn from local aunties how to cook watercress omelets and tofu feasts.
• Tea Breaks & Social Gatherings:
  • The “Story Tea Hall” is open all day, offering free Pu’er tea, glutinous rice-scented tea, and Jianshui’s iconic “Bird’s Nest Pastry.” Guests can borrow ancient texts like Jianshui Annals here.
  • In the evening, under courtyard lanterns, the owner often hosts “Fireside Chats,” sharing ancient town legends and the mansion’s history.
• Public Areas:
  • The first-floor “Antique Exhibition Room” displays Qing Dynasty imperial examination plaques, caravan bells, and other relics, open to guests for free.
  • The second-floor viewing terrace features bean bags and telescopes, offering panoramic views of Chaoyang Tower—an ideal spot for photographing the ancient town’s sunrise.

Service Highlights: Live Like a Local

• Butler-Style Service:
  • In-Depth Tours: Free hand-drawn ancient town maps (marking hidden snack stalls and purple pottery workshops); butlers can accompany walks to Zhu Family Garden, explaining the story of “Three Scholars from One Family” in imperial examinations.
  • Activity Reservations: Assist with booking Jianshui Small Train tickets (including narrow-gauge railway experiences), evening BBQ sets on Zitao Street, and private purple pottery classes at “Xiang Fengchun Workshop” (20% discount for guests).
  • Thoughtful Touches: Welcome gifts include Jianshui purple pottery keychains and local honey; turndown service provides hot compress eye masks and sleep-aid aromatherapy (lavender + Jianshui herbal blend).
• Cultural Experiences:
  • “Ancient Alley Flavor Hunt” Walk: Every Wednesday and Saturday morning, the owner leads visits to century-old shops in hidden alleys, such as the 1940-established “Fuji Pastry Shop” (hands-on Lion Cake making).
  • Intangible Heritage Workshops: Free lessons in singing Jianshui folk songs and carving purple pottery seals (materials provided, works can be taken home).
  • Seasonal Events: Qingming Festival willow planting in the ancient mansion, Mid-Autumn “Courtyard Moon-Worshipping Banquet” (in Hanfu, lantern riddles, and Jianshui sweet rice wine).

Nearby Attractions & Local Life: Steps from History and Flavor

Within 5-Minute Walk

• Zhu Family Garden (300m): A Qing Dynasty private garden, highlights include the “Family Imperial Examination Exhibition Hall” and the backyard water pavilion.
• Jianshui Confucius Temple (500m): Daily morning ancient music performances; experience the “Top Scholar Blessing Ceremony” at the Hall of Great Achievements.
• Hanlin Street (100m): Watch master potters at “Xiang Fengchun Purple Pottery Studio” on the cobblestone street; don’t miss the watercress feast at “Linyan Restaurant” next door.

Local Conveniences

• Street vendors outside the inn sell fresh watercress and tamarind; a 2-minute walk to Yongzhen Road Farmer’s Market for local specialties like tofu and Bird’s Nest Pastry.
• A 10-minute walk to Zitao Street for “fire pit BBQ” (must-try: grilled watercress, oozing tofu) and local band performances at night.

Short Trips

• Shuanglong Bridge (1.5km): A 15-minute bike ride to witness the 17-arch bridge’s sunset reflections, where local vendors sell fresh watercress pancakes.
• Tuan Shan Ancient Village (12km): A 20-minute drive to a World Heritage-listed village, recommended for exploring the wood carvings of “Zhang Family Garden” and ancient caravan trail relics.

Ideal Guests & Reputation

• Target Audience:
  Travelers who prefer niche guesthouses and seek deep cultural immersion, especially families, couples, and solo adventurers ideal for 2–3 days of slow travel in the ancient town.
• Guest Reviews:
  Ctrip rating of 4.8+, praised for “prime location,” “heartwarming service,” and “amazing breakfast.” Guests often say, “Feels like staying with relatives in the ancient town—history at the doorstep, life upon return,” popular among families and photographers.

Transportation Guide

• By Car: Traffic-restricted in the ancient town core; navigate to “Zhu Family Garden Parking Lot” (500m from the inn), with free luggage transfer provided.
• By High-Speed Rail: A 20-minute taxi ride from Jianshui Railway Station (¥25 fare), or take Bus Route 13 to “Hanlin Street Station” and walk 5 minutes.
• By Bus: A 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from Jianshui Bus Station (1.2km away).