2020 Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan 51-Day Autumn Self-Drive Travelogue (7) -- Jianchuan Chapter

2020 Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan 51-Day Autumn Self-Drive Travelogue, divided into 10 parts:

(1) -- Zhijiang-Maotai Town-Chishui-Luzhou-Zigong Part

(2) -- Chengdu-Dujiangyan Part

(3) -- Wenchuan-Lixian-Barkam-Jinchuan-Danba-Xinduqiao Part

(4) -- Xinduqiao-Yajiang-Litang-Daocheng Part

(5) -- Daocheng-Yading Part

(6) -- Shangri-La-Lijiang Part

This is (7) -- Jianchuan Part

(8) -- Dali-Weishan-Chuxiong-Kunming-Dongchuan Part

(9) -- Panzhou-Qianxinan-Ziyun-Duyun Part

(10) -- Qiandongnan-Fuzhou-Quzhou Part

This self-drive tour lasted from October 9 to November 28, 51 days, covering 8,780 km.

Starting from Shanghai, passing through Quzhou in Zhejiang, Zhuzhou in Jiangxi, Zhijiang in Hunan, Maotai Town and Chishui in Guizhou, Luzhou, Zigong, Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Wenchuan, Lixian, Barkam, Jinchuan, Danba, Xinduqiao, Litang, Daocheng in Sichuan, Shangri-La, Lijiang, Jianchuan, Shaxi, Dali, Weishan, Chuxiong, Kunming, Dongchuan in Yunnan, Panzhou, Qianxinan, Ziyun, Duyun, Qiandongnan in Guizhou, via Loudi in Hunan, Fuzhou in Jiangxi, Quzhou in Zhejiang, and back to Shanghai.

Day 27, November 4, from Lijiang to Jianchuan to Shibao Mountain to Shaxi Ancient Town, 9:45–18:00

At the start, the car had its first tire pressure warning, so we repaired the tire.

From Lijiang to Jianchuan County, Dali Prefecture: 65 km, 1 hour 4 minutes.

1. Jianchuan County: A Bai ethnic county. The character A Peng from the movie 'Five Golden Flowers' came from Jianchuan.

West of town, Jingfeng Park is a free public park, with some ancient buildings relocated here. That's actually a good approach, beneficial for heritage protection and convenient for viewing.

Old Street has preserved dozens of old courtyards from the Qing Dynasty or the Republic of China era.

2. Shaxi Town:

Jianchuan County to Shibao Mountain: 24 km, 0:44

1. Shibao Mountain:

4A rated, entrance fee: 50 yuan, shuttle bus: 12 yuan

Renowned for its grotto statues from the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms. Fei Xiaotong praised: 'In the north there are Dunhuang murals, in the south Jianchuan grottoes.'

The grottoes are not large in scale but have a strong Buddhist atmosphere. The natural scenery belongs to the Danxia landform.

After entering the gate and walking about 200 meters, the stone steps on the left lead to Haiyun Temple built against the mountain; pay attention to the murals in the main hall.

After 1.5 km, reach the parking lot below Baoxiang Temple, with the temple halfway up the mountain on the right.

Originally built in the Yuan Dynasty, it has a somewhat 'hanging' feel. Climb for 20 minutes, with monkeys appearing along the way.

If you continue climbing for another half hour, passing Lingquan Nunnery you can reach the relatively dilapidated Jinding Temple.

From Baoxiang Temple to Shizhong Temple is 7 km, with a smooth road; the endpoint is the Shizhong Temple parking lot. It's then nearly a 10-minute walk to Shizhong Temple. Then visit the finest grottoes of Shibao Mountain.

Shizhong Temple is a small temple, with a huge cauliflower-shaped red sandstone rock in the courtyard, resembling an inverted clock.

The grottoes are on the hill behind the temple, so you need to pass through the temple. It takes a dozen or so minutes to see the few grottoes. Don't miss the 'Ayangbai' grotto shaped like female genitalia—a mix of fertility worship and Buddha statues, an unresolved mystery.

In Grotto No.7, the Guanyin with Dew is known as the 'Oriental Venus.'

The grottoes deep in the mountains are not severely damaged. The figures, flowers, and birds are lifelike, with meticulous expressions.

Opposite mountain: Shizi Pass

Small grottoes: Statues of the Nanzhao King's Family, Indian Monk, and Persian Man.

From Shibao Mountain to Shaxi Ancient Town: 16 km, 0:30

Stayed at Ouyang Yayuan Inn, No. 187 Sideng Village, Shaxi Town.

Day 28, November 5, from Shaxi Ancient Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Prefecture to Shuanglang Ancient Town, 9:30–15:00

The national highway does not pass through Shaxi, preserving the town.

Entrance fee 10 yuan. Located west of Sifang Street, facing the old stage, it was originally built in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty.

On the upper part of the outer wall of the innermost hall, there are over 20 Buddhist-themed murals, the main cultural relic inside (very old, severely damaged, and restored).

It is said that on the top floor of the Kuixing Pavilion above the old stage, there is a strangely shaped statue of Kuixing (now not allowed to go up).

Old Stage and Kuixing Pavilion:

It is said that on the top floor of the Kuixing Pavilion above the old stage, there is a strangely shaped statue of Kuixing (now not allowed to go up).

Yujin Bridge: An ancient stone arch bridge across the Heihui River, once a must-pass route from Niujie to Dali on the Tea Horse Road.

Benzhu Temple: The Benzhu is the Northern Heavenly King holding a pagoda.

Ouyang Courtyard: Entrance 5 yuan, a private attraction. It is the best-preserved horse caravan leader's residence in Shaxi. The most wonderful parts are the poems and paintings on the corridor wall between the first and second gates, and the wood carvings on the main gate.

From Shaxi to Shuanglang:

This is my 48th travelogue. If you like it, please give a thumbs up!

Hope it helps fellow travelers!