Short Introduction to Jianshui Local Culture: History, Nation, Ethnic, Diet, Architecture, etc.

Jianshui, about 220 km from Kunming in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, is a historic town with a population of over half a million, nearly 40% of whom belong to ethnic minority groups. Known in ancient times as Butou or Badian, and called Huili (“great sea”) in the Yi language, Jianshui reflects a long history of cultural fusion between Central Plains traditions and the diverse ethnic cultures of Yunnan.

Praised as a “living fossil of southern Yunnan culture,” Jianshui Ancient Town preserves over 50 ancient buildings and is recognized as a National Historic and Cultural City. More understated than Lijiang yet richer in history than Dali, Jianshui showcases 1,200 years of heritage in its streets and monuments. Highlights include Chaoyang Tower overlooking the thousand-year-old Confucius Temple, the magnificent Zhu Family Garden (often called the “Grand View Garden of Yunnan”), the intangible cultural heritage of Steam-Pot Chicken, and the exquisite craftsmanship of Jianshui purple pottery.

Brief History

Jianshui Ancient Town, first established during the Yuanhe period of the Tang dynasty (806–820), predates Dali Ancient Town by nearly two centuries and once served as the political, economic, cultural, and military center of southern Yunnan. In 1276, during the Yuan dynasty, Jianshui Prefecture was founded under Lin’an Route, and the name “Jianshui” first appeared in historical records. At this time, Han immigrants from central China settled here through military farming, creating early cultural exchanges with the local Yi and Hani peoples.

In 1382, during the Ming dynasty, Lin’an Prefecture was established, and Jianshui rose as the regional hub of southern Yunnan. The present-day city layout was largely formed during this period, marked by iconic structures such as Chaoyang Gate (built in 1489) and the Confucius Temple (first built in 1285). The town flourished in education during the Wanli era, producing 30 civil and 23 military jinshi degree holders, accounting for 37% of Yunnan’s total, earning the saying “half the laureates came from Lin’an.”

In the Qing dynasty, after Governor E’ertai implemented the policy of replacing native chieftains with imperial officials in 1726, Jianshui continued to serve as the political center of southern Yunnan. The late Qing era saw economic prosperity with the construction of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway (opened in 1910), which fostered commerce and led to the rise of merchant mansions such as the Zhu Family Garden.

During the Republic of China period, Jianshui was briefly renamed Lin’an County before reverting to its original name. In 1957, it was incorporated into the newly established Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture.

Ethnic Culture

Jianshui is a multi-ethnic community dominated by the Han people, where generations of different ethnic groups have lived together, interacted, and integrated over the course of history. This long process of cultural exchange has given rise to a distinctive regional culture, making Jianshui one of the most representative areas of ethnic diversity in Yunnan.

In addition to the Han majority, Jianshui is home to five indigenous minority groups: Yi, Hui, Hani, Dai, and Miao, who together make up about 40% of the local population. Outstanding cultural traditions such as the Yi “Cigarette-Box Dance,” the Hani “Mang Drum Dance,” Jianshui purple pottery craftsmanship, and local folk songs and ballads have been well preserved and passed down through generations‌‌

Yi people

Yi people: The Yi ethnic groupare the largest ethnic group in Kunming, known for their diligence, wisdom, kindness, and simplicity. Their clothing is colorful and distinctive, while their traditional dances are equally unique and expressive. The Yi people have their own rich language and script, and their culture is marked by a reverence for tigers, a preference for the color black, respect for fire, and a strong martial spirit. They are highly skilled in embroidery and Yi script classics, and their Ten-Month Solar Calendar reflects their deep historical and cultural achievements—so remarkable that it is often compared to the world-renowned Maya civilization.

The traditional attire of the Yi people in Southern Yunnan is striking and symbolic. Men typically wear black as the dominant color, with garments trimmed along the edges. A signature feature is the black head wrap, paired with a fitted jacket that crosses or buttons to the front, fastened with a belt. Their loose trousers are complemented by a large woolen cloak known as “Wala.” Women’s clothing, in contrast, is vibrant and colorful. They usually wear a right-lapped jacket with a green-edged vest, matched with a pleated white skirt and a finely embroidered apron. Their distinctive headwear, the “rooster comb hat,” symbolizes good fortune and happiness for Yi girls, making it one of the most iconic elements of Yi costume culture.

Hani people

Hani peopleThe Hani people mainly live along the Red River in southern Yunnan’s Ailao Mountains, building their villages along the slopes and creating stunning terraced landscapes. Their famous “Long Street Banquet” showcases the Hani people’s warm hospitality and vibrant community spirit.

The Hani people use indigo to create deep blue dyes for their clothing. They typically wear collarless, short jackets with right-side closures, paired with short skirts, knee wraps, cloth shoes, and headscarves adorned with silver coins and other ornaments.

Hui people

Hui people: Hui people are descendants of traders who came along the Silk Road from countries like Arabia and Persia. They are a hardworking, brave, and intelligent people, known for their business acumen. They are known for their deep-rooted Islamic traditions, vibrant mosques, and a distinctive culinary culture that emphasizes halal food.

Middle-aged and elderly men usually wear white skullcaps with white shirts, while women wear black, white, or green headscarves. Elderly women often prefer black jackets with front openings.

Miao people

Miao people: The Miao people, living in eastern and southern Yunnan, may not have a written language, but their rich history and culture are widely admired. Renowned for their intricate embroidery and batik, the Miao believe that silver jewelry holds protective powers. Women often wear elaborate silver pieces to pray for safety and good health.

In the Yunnan region, Miao women often wear short jackets with wide collars paired with white pleated skirts. Their attire comes in two styles: everyday wear, which features subtle, elegant colors, and festive wear, which is more elaborate and colorful. Festive outfits are adorned with intricate embroidery along the edges and complemented by various silver accessories, creating a dazzling and culturally rich ensemble.

Ethnic Language

The Jianshui dialect belongs to the Southwestern branch of Northern Chinese dialects. While it shares many phonetic and tonal similarities with Mandarin, it also has its own unique features, such as the frequent use of sentence-final particles like “man” and “ga,” which add a lively rhythm to everyday speech.

Architecture

Traditional architectural styles in Jianshui are best represented by the Zhu Family Garden, which follows the classic “three courtyards with six wing rooms and three main halls” layout. The complex features 42 courtyards and 214 houses, blending traditional Han Chinese architecture with distinctive local characteristics. Intricate details such as wood and stone carvings enhance its beauty, with symbolic motifs like “Carp Leaping over the Dragon Gate” and “Resplendent Glory” carrying auspicious meanings. Equally remarkable is the Tuanshan Residential Complex, known for its orderly structure, flexible layout, rich spatial design, and elegant exterior combined with refined interiors, showcasing the quintessential traits of southern Yunnan’s vernacular dwellings.

Festival of Ethnic

Torch Festival (June 24th–25th) : Celebrated according to the Yi lunar calendar, the Torch Festival is a vibrant cultural event where the Yi people pray for a good harvest and drive away pests. Participants wear traditional festival attire and play the Yu-kin and the great three-stringed instrument. In Kunming, areas such as Shilin and Luquan host lively celebrations, including fire rituals, bonfire gatherings, and colorful ethnic song and dance performances.

Miao Huashan Festival: Held from the 3rd to the 7th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, the Huashan Festival is one of the most important celebrations for the Miao people. Popular in areas such as Luquan and Fumin near Kunming, the festival features singing competitions, traditional dances, and bullfighting. It serves as a key social occasion for Miao youth to meet, mingle, and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Bangbang Festival: (Jan 15th) This is an important cultural activity of the Nakhi people. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, in addition to customs similar to the Han people, such as eating yuanxiao (glutinous rice dumplings) and viewing lanterns, there are also activities with distinct local ethnic characteristics.

Customs and Taboos of Ethnic

Yi Customs and Taboos: The Yi people avoid accepting items with the left hand, touching another person’s head, and walking freely in the fields during the Torch Festival.

Among the Bai people, spitting into the hearth or stepping across it is strictly forbidden. Sitting on door thresholds is taboo, and women must not step over tools used by men.

Do not touch or step on any ethnic or religious symbols. Avoid giving decorative items to young women of minority groups without permission.

In Hani households, it is taboo to stand or sit on the doorstep, and using knives on the threshold is strictly forbidden.

During ceremonies for heaven, ancestors, or war gods, it is forbidden for outsiders to observe.

One must not touch or step on religious symbols to maintain the dignity of their beliefs. It is prohibited to cross over the triangular frame on the fire pit, or to step on it or place shoes, socks, or clothing on it.

Diet Style and Culinary Tastes

Influenced by Han, Hani, and Yi cultures, Jianshui’s cuisine embodies a unique blend of history and diversity. Traditional cooking methods are elevated by the use of its signature purple pottery. Local specialties include Steam-Pot Feast, Grilled Tofu, Caoya Rice Noodles, and Stuffed Lotus Root. From century-old restaurants to vibrant night markets, Jianshui invites you on an authentic culinary journey that captures the essence of southern Yunnan.

Read More Food-Restaurants in Jianshui »

Cultural Heritage

Jianshui Ancient Town preserves over 1,000 above-ground cultural relics, including seven nationally protected sites, 147 cultural protection units at provincial, prefectural, and county levels, and 358 registered relic sites. It ranks first among Yunnan’s five national historic and cultural cities in terms of preserved tangible heritage. Representative landmarks include the Zhu Family Garden and Chaoyang Gate Tower, both listed as national key cultural relics, as well as iconic architectural complexes such as Shuanglong Bridge and Tuanshan Village.

Equally remarkable is Jianshui’s wealth of intangible cultural heritage. Traditional crafts such as purple pottery firing, Ximen tofu-making, and blue-and-white porcelain techniques have been handed down through generations. The town is also home to vibrant performing arts, including the Yi ethnic tobacco-box dance, the Hani mang drum dance, and locally cherished Jianshui folk songs, all of which continue to thrive as living traditions.

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