Major city · China
Jianchuan剑川
Spend a half‑day exploring the ancient town; add a night if you want to stay in a local guesthouse.
Jianchuan is a small Yunnan county famous for its well‑preserved Bai‑style ancient town, wood‑carving shops and nearby Shibao Mountain grottoes. It sits between Dali and Lijiang, making it a quiet side‑trip from either city. One half‑day covers the main sights; a night lets you wander the streets after shops close and try local mushroom dishes.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, possible snow)
- Airports
- LJG · DLU
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Jianchuan110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Jianchuan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyJianchuan is low‑traffic and generally safe; watch for mountain road conditions in rainy season.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLJG Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (about 70 km (43 mi) by road, bus 2 h).LJG Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (about 43 mi (70 km) by road, bus 2 h).
- Getting aroundLocal buses from Dali or Lijiang (¥25–¥42 (≈ US$4–6)) drop at Jianchuan Bus Terminal; walk or hire a meter‑taxi for short trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketShibao Mountain entry¥45 (≈ US$7)
- Budget bedB&B private room, a night, per roomCN¥250 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B private room, a night, per roomCN¥400 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedB&B private room, a night, per roomCN¥700 (≈ US$100)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥120 (≈ US$17) · Mid CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · High CN¥500 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LJG Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (about 70 km (43 mi) by road, bus 2 h) · DLU Dali Fengyi Airport (about 65 km (40 mi) by road, bus 1.5 h)LJG Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (about 43 mi (70 km) by road, bus 2 h) · DLU Dali Fengyi Airport (about 40 mi (65 km) by road, bus 1.5 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
−1°C (31°F)31°F (−1°C)
Mar
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Apr
Best
6°C (42°F)42°F (6°C)
May
Best
10°C (51°F)51°F (10°C)
Jun
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
Best
16°C (60°F)60°F (16°C)
Aug
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Sep
Best
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
Oct
Best
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Nov
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Avoid
−2°C (29°F)29°F (−2°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (16°C (60°F)60°F (16°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (60°F)60°F (16°C) low), wettest Jul (183 rain days), driest Dec (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Jianchuan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
16°C (60°F)60°F (16°C)
7 rd
Feb
−1°C (31°F)31°F (−1°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
20°C (67°F)67°F (20°C)
16 rd
Apr
6°C (42°F)42°F (6°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
May
10°C (51°F)51°F (10°C)
24°C (76°F)76°F (24°C)
55 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
100 rd
Jul
16°C (60°F)60°F (16°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
183 rd
Aug
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
24°C (76°F)76°F (24°C)
175 rd
Sep
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
23°C (74°F)74°F (23°C)
108 rd
Oct
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
50 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
19°C (65°F)65°F (19°C)
15 rd
Dec
−2°C (29°F)29°F (−2°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses from Dali or Lijiang (¥25–¥42) drop at Jianchuan Bus Terminal; walk or hire a meter‑taxi for short trips. No public rail in the county.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Shibao Mountain
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Bus from Jianchuan to Shibao (≈30 km (19 mi)); local shuttle inside parkBus from Jianchuan to Shibao (≈19 mi (30 km)); local shuttle inside park
Ticket ¥45, open 09:00–17:00Ticket ¥45, open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Jian Lake
goDoor to door: ≈2 h walk or 30 min bike
Walk north along Jinlong River embankment (~10 km (6.2 mi)) or local bike hireWalk north along Jinlong River embankment (~6.2 mi (10 km)) or local bike hire
Free, scenic loop 40 km (25 mi)Free, scenic loop 25 mi (40 km)
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Jianchuan Jail Hotel
City‑centre, basic rooms ¥206–¥642; breakfast ends 09:00City‑centre, basic rooms ¥206–¥642; breakfast ends 9:00 AM
Kenkawa Tayapan Mountain Resort B&B
Village setting, ~1.3 km (0.8 mi) from Yujin Bridge; rooms $33–$67Village setting, ~0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Yujin Bridge; rooms $33–$67
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥120–¥250 (≈ US$17–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–¥500 (≈ US$35–70) excl. bed
- High
- ¥500 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dormitory bed2 × 1 night × CN¥350 | CN¥700 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥250 | CN¥500 |
| Bus Dali → Jianchuan (one way)2 × CN¥42 · check | CN¥84 |
| Shibao Mountain ticket2 × CN¥45 · check | CN¥90 |
| eSIM 7‑day data2 × CN¥2,500 · check | CN¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥637 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥3,506 per person per day, bed included | CN¥7,011≈ US$1,000 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights and long‑distance rail excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus Dali → Jianchuancheck | ¥42 (≈ US$6) |
| Shibao Mountain entry | ¥45 (≈ US$7) |
| Woodcarving souvenir | ≈¥1,600 |
| Matsutake mushroom (seasonal) | ¥80–¥150 (≈ US$12–25) |
| Local milk cake | ¥15–¥30 (≈ US$3–5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules vary by season; confirm times in Dali/Lijiang.
- Shibao Mountain ticket ¥45 (≈ US$7), entry stops at 17:00.Shibao Mountain ticket ¥45 (≈ US$7), entry stops at 5:00 PM.
- Handicraft prices are not fixed; negotiate before buying.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Jianchuan剑川
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
US consulate in Kunming (check address); other embassies in Kunming or Chengdu.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Dali → Jianchuan bus: about ¥42 (≈ US$6), 2 h (check)
- Shibao Mountain shuttle: ¥45 (≈ US$7) entry, local bus free
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 公交站在哪里？ — Where is the bus stop? (gōngjiāo zhàn zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Jianchuan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, possible snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in a B&B for evening strolls.
- Combine with a Dali or Lijiang base for a 2‑day itinerary.
Sources
Ask about Jianchuan
Loading…