Overview
This six-day private tour travels from Ruili to Mangshi and Tengchong in western Yunnan, showcasing a blend of ethnic traditions, border villages, tropical rainforests and unique volcanic and hot spring landscapes. You will visit the border city of Ruili that showcases the mixed daily customs of Chinese and Myanmar residents. Your tour then heads to Mangshi, a city where you can see the golden spires of Buddhist pagodas built in traditional Southeast Asian styles. You may witness the daily life of the local Dai people and visit the pagoda complexes. The final segment of the trip centers on Tengchong. Wander old residential lanes of this historical trading city, explore clusters of volcanic craters, and experience the spectacle of steam erupting from the mountains in natural geothermal hot springs.
Highlights
Ethnic Diversity
Explore Dai and Jingpo border villages and discover different architecture, food, and rhythm of life.
Primeval Rainforest Scenery
Wander through the Moli tropical rainforest and overlook the Nu River Valley, with dense natural forests and mountain waterfalls.
Sino-Myanmar Border Customs
Ruili is a bustling border trade center, famous for commodities such as jade and other precious stones. Here you can witness not only cross-border trade but also cultural exchanges between China and Myanmar.
Southeast Asian Buddhist Charm
The Menghuan Golden and Silver Pagodas are typical Southeast Asian style pagodas, situated on Leiya Mountain and overlooking the city of Mangshi.
Tengchong Volcanic and Geothermal Landscapes
Tengchong is the site of ancient dormant volcanic craters and the geothermal zones that are associated with volcanic activity. Here, you can explore the spectacular scenery of steaming natural hot springs and have the option of taking a balloon ride across the cratered landscape below.
Heshun Ancient Town
Heshun was an important station on the Ancient Tea Horse Road and famous for its beautiful merchant courtyards. Stroll through ancient stone lanes to experience Heshun’s slow pace of life and contemplate its rich past.
Itinerary
9:00
Your journey will begin in Ruili, a true gateway to Myanmar, located on the China-Myanmar border. Today you’ll dive deep into the multicultural atmosphere of this frontier city.
10:00 One Village Two Countries
Head to One Village Two Countries in the morning, a village split by the border, and where daily customs of two nations naturally merge. You can witness people weaving bamboo together and open-air market trading across the borderline.
14:00 Moli Tropical Rainforest
In the afternoon, you’ll walk through Moli Tropical Rainforest. Here, you can visit the Zhaduo Waterfall, surrounded by dense pristine forests, and make a pitstop at the Single Banyan Tree Forest on your way back.
Pick-up time:
Around 09:00
Drop-off time:
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1000 m – 2000 m
Traveltime
One Village Two Countries → Moli Tropical Rainforest 35 mins (38km)
Additional information
- Best explored on foot due to cobblestone streets and limited vehicle access
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery
09:00
Spend the morning exploring Jiegao Port and the China-Myanmar Border Street. This pedestrian trade hub links China and Myanmar, with shops run by Dai locals and Burmese merchants selling jade, wood crafts, tropical fruits and ethnic fabrics.
From here you will drive to distinctively Southeast Asian Mangshi. In Dai language it’s named Menghuan, meaning the City of Dawn.
14:00 Mengbanasi Garden
Upon arrival, you will first visit Mengbanasi Garden, a park where you can mingle with peacocks (one of the symbols of Xishuangbanna) amidst tropical plants.
16:00 Tree Wrapped Pagoda
Visit the picturesque Tree Wrapped Pagoda. This Buddhist structure dates back over 200 years, and over time thick banyan roots have wound tightly around the ancient stone stupa.
Pick-up time:
Around 09:00
Drop-off time:
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1000 m – 1500 m
Traveltime
Ruili → Mangshi 1 hr (75 km)
Additional information
- Best explored on foot due to cobblestone streets and limited vehicle access
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery
09:00
After breakfast, you will spend a relaxed morning at a local Dai handicraft workshop, watching craftsmen create traditional bamboo and woven items. Afterwards, wander through nearby Dai villages to witness everyday life.
14:00 Menghuan Golden and Silver Pagodas
In the late afternoon, you can enjoy a golden sunset glow glinting off the Menghuan Golden and Silver Pagodas. These are Mangshi’s spiritual landmarks and an important sit of worship for local Buddhist communities. Villagers regularly come here to offer flowers and incense for peace and good fortune.
18:00 Dai Ancient Town
After dark, you may explore the Dai Ancient Town, wandering around the local market stalls and sampling authentic Dai snacks such as fried scorpion – if you dare! You can also try wild mushroom soup and steamed sticky rice, classic dishes that carry the unique taste of Dai villages.
Pick-up time:
Around 09:00
Drop-off time:
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1000 m – 1500 m
Traveltime
Menghuan Golden and Silver Pagodas → Dai Ancient Town 15 mins (10 km)
Additional information
- Best explored on foot due to cobblestone streets and limited vehicle access
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery
09:00
Set off for Tengchong after breakfast. On the way you’ll pass Longjiang Suspension Bridge. Completed in 2016, it stretches across the deep Longjiang canyon on the route from Mangshi to Tengchong. It cuts travel time and offers broad mountain views as you drive over.
11:00
Upon arrival in Tengchong you’ll explore Heshun Ancient Town. The old town features classic grey tile white wall architecture paired with streams and stone bridges. You may explore curved stone lanes, peek into old family homes, and browse handmade local crafts
14:00
In the afternoon, explore Heshun Library and Ai Siqi Former Residence. Dating back to 1928, Heshun Library was built by local merchants with international artistic sensibilities, since they operated far beyond China’s borders. You can admire its classic courtyard and browse well-preserved ancient books. Ai Siqi Former Residence is the birthplace of a renowned Chinese philosopher. As you walk through the original living rooms you can discover local histories.
Pick-up time
Around 09:00
Drop-off time
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1600 m – 1700 m
Traveltime
Mangshi → Tengchong 1.5 hrs (106 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery
09:00
Start your day early to explore Tengchong Volcanic Geothermal National Geopark. You will see a landscape of ancient dormant volcanic craters and jagged rock structures shaped by volcanic activity from ages ago. There is an option to book a hot air balloon ride, for a sweeping view of the majestic volcanic landscape from the air.
14:00
In the afternoon, paddle with grass rafts across Beihai Wetland, a plateau wetland ecosystem with wide aquatic grasslands and clear lakes. In the evening you have the option to enjoy a soak in a private hot springs.
Pick-up time
Around 09:00
Drop-off time
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1600 m – 1700 m
Traveltime
Tengchong Volcanic Geothermal National Geo park → Beihai Wetland 40 mins (28 km)
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery
09:00
Explore Rehai Geothermal Area in the morning, a unique geothermal zone featuring dozens of steaming hot spring pools and steam rising up from the jagged rocks.
We hope you had a great time during your Yunnan trip and hope to welcome you again!
14:00
After lunch, we will transfer you to the airport or train station for your departure..
We hope you had a great time during your Yunnan trip and hope to welcome you again!
Pick-up time
Around 09:00
Drop-off time
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1600 m – 1700 m
Traveltime
0,5 hrs (15 km)
Accomodation
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Inclusions & Exclusions
This is always the same – don’t change. (remove this instruction before you publish)
- 5 nights of economy, comfort, superior or luxury accommodation, shared room with breakfast
- Transportation: gas, tolls, parking fees and any additional pick-ups and drop-offs
- Local experienced English-speaking tour guides
- Meals as listed in the itinerary: 5 breakfasts
- 1 half-liter bottles of drinking water per person per day
- Entrance tickets to the attractions listed
- Supplement for the meals for the tour guide and driver
- 24/7 English-speaking customer service
- Government taxes
- Chinese visa
- International and domestic flights/train ticekts
- Meals not listed in the program (lunch, dinner)
- Additional days caused by unexpected nature disasters, for instance, land slides or flooding.
- Single room supplement if the guest requests a private room in the hotel (If you prefer a private room or if there is no one else in your group to share with, a single room supplement will apply.
- Possible surcharges for upgrades from standard twin-bed rooms to double-bed rooms
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips for drivers and guides (highly appreciated but not requested)
- Anything not listed in inclusions
Frequently asked questions
This trip only covers sights on China’s side of the border. At this time, it is not possible for foreigners to cross the border into Myanmar from China.
Most hot springs there exceed 90°C and are for viewing only. Please do not touch the water or steam. Wear non-slip and comfortable walking shoes for steep stone paths.
All seasons work well here. Spring and autumn have mild weather and great views. Summer brings green scenery with occasional light rain. Winter is dry and sunny, ideal for sightseeing and hot springs.
Important information
- Single Supplement. The price listed is for two people sharing one room. If you require a private room or if there is no one else in the group to share a room with, a single room supplement will apply. The single supplement fee is outlined in our price list.
- Driver and guide working hours. The daily working time for driver and tour guide during this tour is maximum 10 hours per day. Overtime working hours will be charged extra.
- Tipping drivers and tour guides is custom in China. We recommend giving 50-80 RMB (7 – 10 USD) per day to the driver and 80-130 RMB (10 – 15 USD) per day to your tour guide.
- Weather. During the summer months (June to September) Yunnan has a rainy season. It won’t be raining 24/7, but we recommend bringing a small umbrella that fits in a backpack.
- Accommodation. The hotels in the itinerary are the recommended hotels, if they are fully booked during your travel period, we will book alternative hotels in the same price/quality range. We book different hotels on request too, but a surcharge might be needed.
- Children & Accommodation. Please note that except for luxury hotels, in many hotels family rooms only have space for one child, but it could be possible to book an extra mattress in some hotels. Please contact us for more information when travelling with a family.
- Meals. Lunches at authentic, quality local restaurants are not included. Your guide can recommend quality authentic places for you. If you have preferences or dietary requirements such as vegetarian, halal, kosher, vegan or gluten-free, please tell your tour guide in advance. Your tour guide will normally not order spicy food or meat/fish with bones unless asked for.
