Xianghuiqiao Railway Station in Jianshui County, Honghe

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🌟 Highlights of Xianghuiqiao Station

🚉 A Century-Old Railway Heritage

Built in 1936, Xianghuiqiao Station was once a key stop on the Ge-Bi-Shi Railway, China’s very first private railway line. Today, it serves as a central station on the Jianshui Old Town Sightseeing Train (from Lin’an to Tuanshan).

• The tracks have a fascinating history: originally built with a 60 cm narrow gauge, later upgraded to a 1-meter gauge in 1970, and now preserved for sightseeing use only.

🏛️ A Blend of East and West in Architecture

• Exterior: A striking combination of French yellow walls and Chinese grey-tiled wooden roofs, featuring traditional details like dougong brackets and intricate wooden windows—a beautiful mix of late Qing and early Republican styles.

• Interior Transformation: The historic station building has been thoughtfully repurposed into a vintage-style café and French bistro, complete with antique phonographs and old signal lights for that nostalgic touch.

🚂 How to Explore & Get There

🛤 Recommended: Take the Sightseeing Train

• Route: Lin’an Station → Shuanglong Bridge Station → Xianghuiqiao Station → Tuanshan Station

• Distance: 13 km total, cruising at a gentle 20 km/h

• Stop at Xianghuiqiao: Spend 30 minutes here to snap photos of the yellow wall and bougainvillea-covered tracks.

🚗 Independent Travel Options

• Take Bus No. 19 from Jianshui Old Town (approx. ¥5), or

• Taxi / self-drive (about 10 km from the Old Town)

🌄 Immersive Experiences

🌅 Morning Rail Walks

Wander along the rust-covered tracks, where vintage signal lights are draped in vines and rice paddies stretch into the horizon—a dream for photographers.

☕ Afternoon Delights

Relax in the platform café with a “clay-pot latte” or cold-brew Dianhong tea, paired with Jianshui’s famous grilled tofu.
Want a retro photoshoot? Rent a cheongsam (qipao) and pose by the arched windows for a vintage “Republic of China” vibe (rentals available on-site).

🌇 Sunset Dining

Dine on the café’s sunset set menu for two, featuring steamed chicken in a Yunnan clay pot and tamarind juice, all while watching the sun dip behind the rails.

⛩️ Nearby Must-Sees

🌉 Xianghui Bridge (200 meters from the station)

Built in 1814 (Qing Dynasty), this is Jianshui’s only covered corridor bridge, with Wenchang Pavilion built into its center. In ancient times, it was the path scholars took to the imperial exams—perfect for making a wish for academic success.

🌉 Shuanglong Bridge (6 km away)

A magnificent 17-arch stone bridge where the narrow-gauge railway runs across. Catch the golden reflections in the water at dusk—one of Yunnan’s top sunset spots.

🏡 Tuanshan Village (train terminal)

A 600-year-old traditional village and a UN World Heritage site, known for its Zhang Family Garden with exquisite carved gates and wooden latticework—a gem of southern Yunnan architecture.

📌 Practical Tips

🎟️ Tickets

• Sightseeing Train: ¥100 (low season) / ¥120 (peak season)
  Includes 4-hour ride with stops at all stations

• Entry to the station itself is free
  Café: approx. ¥40 per person

🕰 Best Times to Visit

• Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid tourist train crowds (10:00–15:00)

• In summer, the lotus flowers bloom by the tracks—pure magic 🌸

⚠️ Safety Notes

• Some of the old walls may have cracks—please avoid leaning on them

• Be cautious when taking photos on the tracks—trains run twice daily

💎 Experience Summary

Ride a vintage narrow-gauge train through rice fields → sip French-style coffee with cicada songs in the background → pose by yellow walls and bougainvillea → visit Wenchang Pavilion to wish for academic success → enjoy a sunset dinner with clay pot chicken at Shuanglong Bridge.

It’s a one-stop journey into the slow, poetic life of Southern Yunnan.