"Tengchong In-Depth Travel Guide! The Secret List of Spiritual Tengchong Locals: Volcano Temples + Jade Massage + 3

👺 Itinerary

Day 1: Slow Life in the Ancient Town + Volcano Adventure

• Morning: Stroll around Heshun Ancient Town (eat rice bean jelly on the century-old vegetable street)

• Afternoon: Soak in the sulfur hot springs at Rehai Scenic Area

• Evening: Watch the stars at Bailian Hot Spring

Day 2: Volcano Temples + Prairie Fun

• Morning: Horseback riding at Volcano Park to view the crater

• Afternoon: Seek fortune and answers at Yunfeng Mountain

• Evening: Horseback riding and grass sliding at Dongshan Grassland

Day 3: Rainforest Hiking + Jade Exploration

• Morning: Light hike on Gaoligong Mountain (3-hour route)

• Afternoon: Exchange jade jewelry at Fushenglong + learn at the Jade Museum

• Evening: Relax with a deaf masseur at Yuquan Garden

Day 4: Border Cuisine Day

• Morning: Private car tour of Mangshi (photo at Menghuan Golden Pagoda)

• Afternoon: Eat spicy crab with live crabs from Ruili

• Evening: Have caravan meals at Ten Fish Restaurant in Beihai Wetland

⛱️ Must-Visit Attractions

1. Heshun Ancient Town

• Highlight: A living ancient town with 600 years of history, over 70% locals

• Activities:

▶ Capture reflections at the laundry pavilion early morning

▶ Learn to make Songhua cake with a grandma

▶ Stay overnight at Suxin Cottage Jinshi Residence (owner leads night tours)

• Hidden spot: Take panoramic photos at the second willow tree by Wild Duck Lake

2. Rehai Scenic Area

• Feature: 97℃ boiling spring for cooking eggs, sulfur steam facial

• Must-try:

▶ Collect "holy water" at Huaitai Well (88℃ drinkable)

▶ Soak in sulfur pools at Yugu Hot Spring (skin gets smoother)

• Tickets: 78 RMB, electric cart 15 RMB

3. Yunfeng Mountain

• Tag: "Sacred mountain and blessed land" described by Xu Xiake

• Activities:

▶ Climb 3,000 stone steps to draw fortune sticks (old Taoist priest’s interpretations are very accurate)

▶ Vegetarian meal at the summit 20 RMB/person (mushroom soup is a must)

• Tip: Wear non-slip shoes, steps are slippery when wet

4. Gaoligong Mountain

• Recommended routes:

▶ Beginner: Baihualing wild hot spring hike (5km)

▶ Advanced: Nanzhai Gongfang ancient trail (16km)

• Guide fee: 300 RMB/day (equipment included)

5. Yuquan Garden

• Hidden activities:

▶ Deaf massage center 50 RMB/hour (a paradise for the hearing impaired)

▶ Buy discounted Nanhong jade at Lishan Chiyu Pavilion (look for certification)

🍜 Food Guide

Must-eat in Heshun Ancient Town

• Xiao Liangkou BBQ: Grilled tilapia with lemon dipping sauce (35 RMB/fish)

• Cun Dama Rice Bean Jelly: Eat with fried dough sticks (6 RMB/bowl)

Recommended in Tengchong City

• Tangwang Copper Ladle Beef: Sour soup + spicy double pot (88 RMB/2-person meal)

• Ruili Live Crab: Burmese crab spicy stir-fry (299 RMB/4-person meal)

• Beihai Ten Fish: Sour soup fish hotpot (priced by weight, 50 RMB/jin)

Street Snacks

• Songhua Cake: 5 RMB/piece (grandma near Heshun Library)

• Rice Bean Jelly Ersi: 8 RMB/bowl (most authentic in Wuhe Town)

• Paoluda: 10 RMB/cup (coconut milk + bread crumbs)

🏨 Accommodation Guide

Ancient Town Charm

• Suxin Cottage Jinshi Residence: Century-old house converted, owner leads night tours (400 RMB/night)

• An Zhi Ruo Su: Lakeside homestay, includes Rehai ticket (300 RMB/night)

Hot Spring First Choice

• Bailian Hotel: Garden-style hot spring, includes ancient town ticket (2000 RMB/night)

• Stone Chronicle: Designed by Kengo Kuma, VIP soaking pool (3000 RMB/night)

Cost-effective Options

• Heshun Qike: New Chinese-style homestay, 5-minute walk to vegetable street (200 RMB/night)

• Tengchong International Hotel: City landmark, includes breakfast (400 RMB/night)

💗 Other Tips

Transportation Guide

• Airport → City: Taxi 50 RMB (look for blue and white taxis)

• Intercity private car: Tengchong → Mangshi 200 RMB/car (4 seats)

• Scenic area shuttle: Heshun Ancient Town → Rehai 15 RMB/person

Shopping Pitfalls to Avoid

• Jade purchase: Look for Fushenglong "A-grade" label, supports nationwide re-inspection

• Nanhong bargaining: Start by halving the price then slowly increase (original 800 RMB, can get for 300 RMB)

• Silverware traps: Ancient town silver jewelry prices include markup, recommend buying 999 pure silver

Cultural Etiquette

• Volcano Park: Do not touch the red soil (considered sacred locally)

• Yunfeng Mountain: Add incense money after drawing fortune sticks (starting at 10 RMB)

• Dai Villages: Remove shoes before entering homes, avoid stepping on thresholds

Hidden Activities

• Wednesdays/Saturdays: Early market at Qiluo Ancient Town (7:00-10:00)

• Rainy season only: Wild mushroom picking on Gaoligong Mountain (guide required)

• Winter special: Photography of smoke in Ginkgo Village (late November)

Pre-trip Preparation

• Essentials: Sunscreen (SPF50+), mosquito repellent, folding umbrella

• Optional: Swimsuit (for hot springs), trekking poles (for Gaoligong Mountain)

• Documents: Jade purchases require ID registration

There are no crowded tour groups here, only the wind at the volcanic crater and the morning mist of the ancient town. Take this guide and become a "local" in Tengchong for three days!"