Go where the wind blows: 2023 Pu'er and Xishuangbanna Five-Day Tour

Number of days：5 days
Time: February
Average cost: 4,000 yuan
With whom: husband and wife
Updated: 2023.02.14

Around the 2023 Spring Festival, with the three-year pandemic over, many people were eager to get away and enjoy a relaxing trip, and warm Yunnan became everyone's top choice. The hit TV series "Where the Wind Goes" further fueled tourism to Yunnan, and throughout the Spring Festival, Yunnan travel trends were all over social media, with Xishuangbanna, a "winter haven," being packed with tourists.

After the Lantern Festival, I decided to spend a few days in sunny Yunnan. Based on past travel experience, this period should be a bit off-season, but this year, Yunnan tourism was quite popular, with a strong following.

With the development of the high-speed rail network, a "high-speed rail tourism circle" with Kunming as its starting point has essentially taken shape. "Traveling Yunnan by train" has become a new trend in Yunnan travel. Yunnan's winter is a dry season, with mostly sunny days and a truly wonderful climate, which is a major draw for winter travelers. A rail trip is the perfect way to enjoy a beautiful winter trip. Strolling through Yunnan's small towns, basking in the warm winter sun, this is the "place with the wind"!

Day 1: Morning high-speed rail journey from Kunming, Yunnan to Pu'er, Yunnan, afternoon visit to the Ancient Tea Horse Road scenic area.

The China-Laos Railway officially opened to traffic in 2021, passing through Pu'er and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan. We first took the 2.5-hour high-speed rail from Kunming to Pu'er, staying at an inn in the ancient Tea Horse Town.

In the afternoon, we visited the Ancient Tea-Horse Road scenic area.

The Ancient Tea-Horse Road originated from the ancient tea-horse trade between the southwest and northwest frontiers. It flourished during the Tang and Song dynasties and was an important trade route in ancient China.

Historically, the five ancient Tea Horse Roads all began in Pu'er. Horse caravans, carrying tea, set out from Pu'er to countries like Myanmar, Nepal, and India, bringing local specialties back to China. This pioneered international trade route, which later became known as the "Ancient Tea Horse Road."

Walk along the ancient Tea Horse Road, learn about the tea-horse culture of different dynasties, and experience its profound historical accumulation and cultural heritage.

Take off your heavy winter clothes, bask in the warm sun, and enjoy a cup of Laotian iced coffee.

In the evening, stroll through the ancient Tea Horse Town. The ancient town is ablaze with lights at night, and the bonfire parties are extremely lively! Don't miss out on sampling the horse-riding dishes.

Day 2: Visit the Pu'er Tea Expo in the morning, take the high-speed train to Xishuangbanna in the afternoon, and visit the Xingguang Night Market in the evening.

Tea lovers should definitely visit the Pu'er Tea Expo. Built on Yingpan Mountain, 29 kilometers away from the city center, the Tea Expo is set against the backdrop of 10,000 acres of ecological tea gardens and is the famous origin of Pu'er tea.

The park showcases Pu'er tea, surrounded by thousands of acres of tea plantations and verdant mountains. You can also participate in Pu'er tea cake-making activities and create your own Pu'er tea cake.

The air is fresh and the scenery is pleasant. You can fully experience the fun of observing, making, tasting, and purchasing tea here!

In the afternoon, we took the high-speed rail to beautiful Xishuangbanna, a journey of less than an hour. Xishuangbanna, known as "Mangbala Naxi" in the ancient Dai language, means "ideal and magical paradise." It's inhabited primarily by the Dai ethnic group and boasts a tropical rainforest climate, boasting pleasant warmth year-round. It's also the most intact and largest tropical rainforest ecosystem in China, with daytime temperatures currently reaching 32 degrees Celsius in February.

As soon as we got off the train, we immediately sensed the popularity of Xishuangbanna tourism. The square was packed with tourists from all over the world, making taxis impossible to find. We finally managed to find our hotel. We chose an inn near Gaozhuang, not far from the Xingguang Night Market. After a short rest, we headed to the market.

Xingguang Night Market is currently the largest night market in Asia. Crowded with tourists and beautiful women snapping photos everywhere, the bustle is breathtaking! Its unique and exotic culture creates a strong visual impact on visitors. It is the perfect place for eating, drinking, and having fun. Filled with cheerful crowds, a variety of goods, snacks, and delicious food, the night is filled with joy, making it Xishuangbanna's most popular destination.

The Shwedagon Pagoda, the tallest building in the market center, is a landmark in Xishuangbanna and the largest outdoor pagoda. Its architectural structure has a distinct Thai temple architectural style. The pagoda adopts a quadrilateral structure, with each face facing a different direction. These four directions represent China, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. It is a must-see place in Xishuangbanna. Day 3: Dafo Temple, Manting Imperial Garden, and Zongfo Temple, all of which are Dai royal temples, resplendent with golden walls and imbued with the essence of Theravada Buddhism. Also known as the Xishuangbanna Mengle Cultural Tourism Area, Dafo Temple is built into the mountainside, with numerous steps and numerous tiers. We walked up and took a one-way electric car down. The Big Buddha is very spectacular.

The Dajin Temple on the top of the mountain is very beautiful. The temple architecture is magnificent and you can overlook the panoramic view of Jinghong.

Manting Royal Garden was once the royal garden of the Dai King and has a history of over 1,300 years. The garden features gardens and rivers, and is nestled among mountains of tropical vegetation.

The garden is beautiful, with exotic temples and buildings, and many beautiful women wearing Dai costumes taking photos.

Zongfo Temple, connected to Manting Imperial Garden, is one of the oldest temples in the area and a center of worship for Buddhist believers in Xishuangbanna. Its magnificent architecture is reminiscent of a Thai royal palace.

Day 4: Day trip to the Botanical Garden and the Dai Garden

Since these two attractions are far from the city center and transportation is not convenient, we booked a day trip on China-TravelNote. This morning, we visited the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, China's largest botanical garden, which boasts several gardens, including the Baixiang Garden, Baihua Garden, Baiguo Garden, and Palm Garden.

Thanks to the guide's detailed introduction, I learned a lot about plants. The exotic flowers and plants were a feast for the eyes. We also took the electric car to explore the various gardens, which was a real pleasure!

In the afternoon, visit the Dai Garden, which consists of five natural Dai villages.

The Dai hanging towers and ancient Buddhist pagodas are nestled among the greenery, creating a natural and unpretentious experience. It is a great place to learn about and experience the Dai culture.

Day 5: Lancang River, Xishuangbanna Airport - Nanjing Lukou Airport

In the morning, go for a stroll along the Lancang River. The Lancang River originates from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and connects six countries. It flows through China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and flows into the South China Sea from Vietnam. It is the golden waterway for my country to enter Southeast Asian countries.

The Lancang River in Yunnan is known as the Mekong River, while its waters are swift and crystal clear. The natural scenery and cultural attractions coexist on both sides of the river, making it a microcosm of Xishuangbanna and the perfect embodiment of its beauty!

The aroma of everyday life is most soothing to the human heart. A journey accompanied by delicious food is even more enjoyable, and Banna's cuisine is also very unique!

In the evening, we flew directly back to Nanjing, concluding our five-day Yunnan trip.

Tips:

Clothing: In January and February, the temperature in Xishuangbanna fluctuates greatly between morning and evening, sometimes reaching as low as 10 degrees Celsius in the morning, so a thick coat is recommended. It can reach over 30 degrees Celsius at noon, so wear short sleeves. UV rays are very strong, so be sure to use sunscreen.

Food: Don't miss the Dai-style barbecue, various tropical fruits, and Thai cuisine! But be careful of gastrointestinal discomfort.

Accommodation: For first-time visitors to Banna, it's best to stay near Gaozhuang Night Market for easy access.

Transportation: Accessible by airport and high-speed rail, taxis are difficult to take. For further destinations, you can only join a tour group. For closer destinations, rent an electric bike.