Jianchuan County Overview

Basic Informations

• Chinese Name: 剑川县
• Location: Located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, north of Dali Prefecture
• Area: About  2318 square kilometers
• Population: 174600
• Language: Bai Language

Climate

Jianchuan has around 126 days in the year with temperatures around 18-21℃(54-66 F) which is the most appropriate temperature for taking a break

Administrative Division

There are 5 Towns and 3 Townships under its jurisdiction：

5 Towns: Jinhua Town(金华镇), Diannan Town(甸南镇), Shaxi Town(沙溪镇), Madeng(马登镇), Laojunshan Town(老君山镇)

3 Townships: Yangceng(羊岑乡), Misha Township(弥沙乡), Tuxiang Township(象图乡).

Ethnic Culture

It inhibited by 180,000 people and over 6 ethnic groups live here, including  Bai(92%), Han(2%), Yi(1%), Hui(2%), Lisu(1%), and Naxi(2%).

The major festivals around Jianchuan County include the Torch Festival, Corban Festival, Lesser Bairam,and the Third Month Fair.

Location of Jianchuan County in Yunnan

Area: 

Total: 2,318 km2 (895 sq mi)

Latitude: 26°12′—26°47′N

Longitude:99°33′—100°33′E

Elevation:2200M

History:

Jianchuan has a long history, splendid culture. As early as more than 3000 years ago, ancestors of Jianchuan complete the spanned by the history of the stone age to the bronze age firstly, founded the Yunnan bronze culture "and" rice farming culture of the precedent, as early as in the Qin and Han Dynasties more than 2000 years ago, Jianchuan has become an important transportation hub of Southern Silk Road "Shu Hindu road" and "tea horse road", early with the Central Plains, Southeast Asia and in central and West Asia region occurred trade and cultural exchanges.During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, education flourished.  Therefore, Jianchuan was known for the "literature of the state". At the same time, Jianchuan Grottoes art became more and more famous, wood carving craft exquisite, therefore the Ministry of Culture named it the "township of wood carving art".

Culture:

1. Ancestor of Bai people in Jianchuan

Ancestors of the Bai nationality lived in Erhai area. Archaeological finds from the Cang'er Site and the Haimenkou Site show that the Erhai area was inhabited as early as the Neolithic Age, and artifacts of that period indicate that the people of the region used stone tools, engaged in farming, livestock.

2.Religion: Although most Bai people adhere to Buddhism, they also have a native religion of Benzhuism: the worship of ngel zex (本主; běnzhǔ), local gods and ancestors. 

3.The Costumes of Bai Ethnic Minority: The men and women of Bai Ethnic Minority generally admire white, so they like white clothes. 

Transportation:

In Jianchuan, transportations is very convenient. There are long-distance bus and taxi. For people who want get to other county or distance places, long-distance bus is a good choice. For people who want to get to their destination as quickly as possible, taxis are wise choice. Generally, the starting fare is CNY8, and CNY1.4 will be charged for each kilometer.

Where to Stay

Jianchuan is a small county in Yunnan, so there aren't luxury  hotels. But Midu accommodation is convenient and comfortable.You can choose different hotels according to your requirements.

Where to Go

Jianchuan county is a charming city with green hills and clear water, its tourism resources are unique and various. Within the territory, there are over 20 scenic plots such as the Three Parallel Rivers(one world natural heritage三江并流), Jinhua Old Town（金华镇）, Sanhe Bai ethnic Village（三禾白族村）, Jinhua Mountain and Grottoes（金华山）, Jianhu(Sworld) Lake（剑湖）, Qianshi Moutain（千狮山）, Shibao Mountain（石宝山）, Shaxi Old Town（沙溪古镇）,and Laojun Mountain（老君山）.

What to Buy

Jianchuan Wood Carving, Tie Dyeing, Jianchuan Ginseng…there are many special things that you can’t buy at other places.

Dining

Each place has its own special cusine in China. "Eight Bowls" is very famous in Jianchuan.