2024 Xishuangbanna & Pu'er 10-day free travel tour: Mengla

Number of days: 10 days
Time: January
Average cost: 7600 yuan
With whom: and friends
Updated: 2024.02.19

DAY 4: Slowly explore the longed-for Mushroom Village and Tropical Botanical Garden.

After three consecutive nights in Gaozhuang, we were moving today. We woke up this morning and unloaded our bags downstairs. After some experimenting, we successfully managed to fit six suitcases into the trunk of our car, leaving the remaining smaller bags at our feet. Packed up, we set off!

Today, we drove south, deep into the jungles of Mengla County, Xishuangbanna.

Our first stop this morning was an hour-long drive to Manyuan Village, the filming location for "A Longing for Life." On the small road leading into the village, staff collected a 10 yuan sanitation fee from each car. Entering this renowned Dai village, the well-maintained environment was immediately apparent: the roads, houses, and public facilities were all in excellent condition. While it's a designated National Beautiful Village, the filming of "A Longing for Life" has attracted numerous visitors.

Manyuan Village

Manyuan Village Exploding Fruit

Entrance to the village isn't required, but a visit to the Mushroom House, the filming location for "A Longing for Life," costs 20 yuan per person. Since we were already here, we had to check it out. We spent 100 yuan and had a blast posing in the place. We had so much fun that we even rented the entire place out. This is probably the life we long for.

Mushroom House

Mushroom House src="https://dimg04.c-ctrip.com/images/1mf5j12000d8w5wgo8767_R_800_10000_Q90.jpg?proc=autoorient" /> Mushroom House

Mushroom House

For lunch, at a restaurant at the entrance of the village, I ordered two servings of pineapple fried rice, two vegetables, and scrambled eggs for under 100 yuan. It was a truly delicious meal. The milk dates here are incredibly cheap, only three yuan per pound. They're large, sweet, and incredibly delicious. So much so that when we later saw them selling for 12 yuan per kilogram, we thought they were too expensive. Hahaha, there's no harm in comparison!

In the afternoon, we continued on to the Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. For some reason, our navigation system took us down a winding mountain road. We saw the Mokun Expressway right next to us, but we couldn't get off. Well, we enjoyed the forest park-like scenery along the national highway and avoided the tolls. It was pretty good, but the driver was a bit smart.

We arrived at the west entrance of the botanical garden. It was packed with cars and tourists. The adult entrance fee was 80 yuan, plus a 50 yuan electric cart for the west area. After checking in, the electric carts within the gardens took us from stop to stop, allowing you to hop on and off as you like. Even so, the botanical garden is surprisingly large. We only briefly explored the first and second stops and didn't even bother getting off the electric cart for the rest of the tour. And you absolutely need a guide here. While each plant has a nameplate, it's hard to understand without one. This morning, it was still a bit chilly, requiring a jacket, but by noon, it was scorching hot. It's hard to imagine what a scorching hot summer in Xishuangbanna is. At the Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Victoria amazonica in winter is only a tiny bit large. Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences src="https://dimg04.c-ctrip.com/images/1mf1o12000d8w4rhu623D_R_800_10000_Q90.jpg?proc=autoorient" /> Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of SciencesAfter a quick tour of the garden's west section, we headed to our tonight's accommodation: the Bajiaolou Inn, just a few minutes' drive away. We'd booked two spacious suites with three beds. However, our rooms were on the fourth floor, and without an elevator, so carrying our luggage was a real struggle.

Octagonal Inn

Octagonal Inn src="https://dimg04.c-ctrip.com/images/1mf4t12000d8w5lgwABFC_R_800_10000_Q90.jpg?proc=autoorient" /> Bagualou Inn

We were a little tired after a few days of traveling, so we had dinner at the restaurant next to the B&B. There were no activities tonight, so we needed to recharge our batteries. Tomorrow we'd be trekking through the rainforest, and we were looking forward to it.

DAY5: Mengyuan Wonderland Rainforest Trekking Adventure.

When I woke up this morning and opened the curtains, I was greeted by a blanket of mist outside, resembling a fairyland. The rice noodles at Pangge Breakfast Shop also left us quite satisfied. We then drove an hour to the Mengyuan Wonderland Scenic Area, where we planned to try our hand at the rainforest trekking adventure. Groups started leaving around 10:30 AM, and by the time we arrived, quite a few groups had already entered. We quickly bought our tickets and prepared. The rainforest trek, which takes about three hours, cost 258 yuan per person, with both large and small groups priced equally. Add in the 58 yuan per person for the rainforest dustpan meal, and the total bill was over 300 yuan per person, which was a bit of a pain. After paying and signing the waiver, the staff explained the important points. They explained that due to the approaching New Year, many guides had gone home, so the number of people in each group had increased, and we were lucky to be able to make it. We bought Jiefang rubber shoes at the store across the street for 25 yuan a pair, each carrying a bottle of mineral water, and boarded the electric vehicle, ready to head into the rainforest. We were joined by a family of four from Shanghai. Led by a handsome man named Xiaoyan, we set off. The tour leader explained the precautions, and everyone listened attentively. Rainforest Crossing Starting Point

First, we took an electric car to the hiking starting point, then walked a paved road. This is for those who only purchased the ticket and did not participate in the in-depth activities. Going deeper into the rainforest, there are no roads, and a professional guide is required to lead the way, otherwise you will get lost. Xiaoyan led us as we walked, observing and explaining the route. He warned us not to touch any roadside plants or animals unless he gave us permission, as it could be dangerous. A seemingly ordinary leaf on the roadside, covered in grains and riddled with holes, would ache you for days if you touched it. It's poisonous, don't touch it. Looking up, I saw a towering tree, its trunk entwined with parasitic plants. It's said that during flowering season, the tree blooms with all sorts of exotic flowers and plants, transforming it into a veritable hanging garden. Strangling is ubiquitous in the rainforest, a truly shocking test of nature's survival rules. And the eight-legged blind spider, blind in daylight and incapable of running, can be quite the culprit. Even a cluster of blind spiders can be a real culprit, even in a panic-stricken crowd.

Primeval forest

Brave children

In this way, we hiked in this tropical rainforest for four hours, climbed over countless boulders and fallen trees, got to know many plants and insects, and walked upstream along the mountain stream. My 25-yuan Jiefang brand sneakers, while not waterproof, were surprisingly non-slip. Onion slipped several times in them. The guide told us to remember when trekking: take small steps, not big ones; step low, not high; and only move forward when you've made a firm step. The stream was about calf-high, sometimes knee-deep. It was winter, midday, and the sun was scorching. The water was still a bit cool as we waded through, and my shoes were completely soaked, making my feet a bit uncomfortable. But after crossing the stream again and again, the sensation gradually grew numb.

Stream Tracing

Rainforest Dancer

Xiaoyan suggested we walk a little further to find the mysterious Rafflesia flower. This immediately perked us up. Following our guide, we reached an unassuming patch of jungle. Beneath a large tree, three or four Rafflesia flowers were in full bloom. Their vibrant colors were so dazzling that we exclaimed and screamed, carefully observing them. After all, Rafflesia flowers only bloom for three days before gradually decaying and emitting a foul odor. We were lucky enough to witness their bloom, a kind of fate.

Lucky to Find Rafflesia Flowers

After crossing a stream, we found a section of trees spanning the river. The guide told us that this single-plank bridge was something everyone needed to cross. I was the first to bravely cross the single-plank bridge. Actually, it's quite wide, so it wasn't that scary. But the others behind me were a bit hesitant to move forward. With constant encouragement and tugging, we all made it across smoothly. Crossing the Single-plank Bridge

A little further, we saw a riverbank with a rainforest swing and a zipline. We excitedly chose the rainforest swing; the feeling of flying was amazing. Although Donggua and the group leader were afraid, they pushed through with everyone's encouragement. Great job!

Rainforest Swing

By the stream, Xiaoyan picked up a few colorful stones and said they were called chalk stones. Rub them on larger rocks and they'll leave behind a variety of colors. It's amazing! Then, dip your finger in some paint and rub it on your face, and it becomes a natural dye unique to the jungle. It's really interesting.

Magical Chalk Stone

Before we knew it, we'd been hiking in the jungle for four hours, and surprisingly, we didn't feel too tired. We walked to a wide, open riverbank where many Dai women were busy, using stones as benches, bamboo as tables, and banana leaves as pavement. This was the place to enjoy our winnowing basket rice and rainforest feast. We ordered a 58 yuan winnowing basket meal per person, which included a drink, meat, glutinous rice, vegetables, and fruit—more than enough for one person. Eating this pristine winnowing basket meal by such a pristine stream felt like a primitive human.

Crossing the rainforest

Group photo at the end of the rainforest crossing

Rainforest Dustbin Meal

After emerging from the forest, the visitor center thoughtfully prepared ginger tea for everyone to ward off the cold. The children who had walked through the rainforest received a certificate, which was very enjoyable. It took us five hours to complete the entire rainforest trek, and honestly, it was quite tiring. However, it was a truly immersive experience and highly recommended.

Tonight's accommodations were booked near the Wangtianshu Scenic Area in Mengla County, which still required an hour's drive. It was another tiring journey for me, but the whole group was happy.

There was only a short stretch of highway along the way, but the majority of the road looped around the mountains. The road was in good condition and traffic was light, but it was important to drive slowly and carefully. Tonight, we stayed at the Xinyuan B&B in Manlongle Village. The owner happened to be vacationing there and warmly welcomed us. We booked a suite with three rooms and two bathrooms, which was enough for the seven of us. The courtyard was newly built in the style of traditional Dai stilt houses. The interior is very warm and the courtyard is full of flowers. It is particularly worth mentioning that the owner of the B&B and her daughter are super enthusiastic, making everyone feel at home.

Manlong Le Xin Yuan B&B

Manlong Lexinyuan B&B

The proprietress specifically reminded us to park inside the grounds because wild elephants roam the area. Not long ago, a wild elephant smashed the door of the village post office. We later learned that the same afternoon we arrived, children rafting on the Nanla River had stumbled upon a wild elephant bathing in the river. It was truly thrilling.

It was a grueling day. Thinking about how I managed to complete the rainforest trek with such energy, wearing knee braces, spraying Yunnan Baiyao on my waist, and taking anti-inflammatory medication, I felt quite proud of myself! However, soaking my feet in the water for several hours still gave Qingqing and me a cold, which put us at risk for the rest of our trip. That evening, we all washed up, chatted, and retired early in the cozy B&B.

DAY 6: Experience the Skywalk at Wangtianshu Scenic Area.

The ecology here is very pristine. The crowing roosters seem to crow from dusk till dawn, refusing to stop even after their voices have become hoarse. This morning, we slept in recklessly and had some rice noodles across from the B&B. We dawdled until 11 a.m. before leaving. Fortunately, the Wangtianshu Scenic Area is very close, only 10 kilometers away. I still asked Xiao Baozong to buy the tickets for us. They were slightly cheaper than online at 20 yuan per person.

After entering the scenic area, we first took a sightseeing boat. There was a long line, but fortunately, each boat could accommodate 20 to 30 people, so it was quite fast.

Wangtianshu Scenic Area Sightseeing Boat Pier

Wangtianshu Scenic Area Sightseeing Boat

After arriving at the cruise ship terminal at Wangtianshu Scenic Area sightseeing boat, you need to walk slowly. There are various plant science popularizations along the way, so you won’t be bored if you walk and look around.

Wangtianshu Scenic Area

The most eye-catching feature of the Wangtianshu Scenic Area is the canopy walkway. This elevated plank road, over 70 meters above the ground, is divided into 14 sections and takes about half an hour to complete. The walkway is narrow, only wide enough for one person. The tall, straight Wangtianshu trees, with their sturdy trunks, are said to number only around 300 in China, making them an endangered species.

Queue up to board the canopy corridor

Canopy corridor

Canopy corridor Canopy Corridor

Canopy Corridor

The scenic area also arranges photography and drone video recording for several sections. Photos with frames cost 40 yuan each, and videos cost 90 yuan each. The drone videos were excellent, offering both close-up and distant views, so we bought some as souvenirs.

We spent three hours leisurely strolling through the scenic area. At the entrance, we found several farmhouses, and we chose a Sichuan restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, we returned to our guesthouse for tea and relaxation. Before sunset, the guesthouse owner and her daughter took us to the Nanla River. The children, wearing slippers, played in the river, catching tadpoles, throwing stones, and searching for aquatic plants. One of Donggua's slippers was washed away, but after several people were bitten by unknown insects, they finally gave up.

Nanla River

By the Nanla River

Then we strolled around the village. The village was very clean and tidy. There was a grand temple. Next to it was the Nanla River Motor Camp, where many self-driving RVs were stationed for repairs. There were also tourists kayaking in the Nanla River. Against the backdrop of the setting sun, the place looked particularly quiet and comfortable.

Strolling around Manlongle Village

We had no choice but to continue eating traditional Dai cuisine for dinner. After dark, we went to see a pitaya plantation. Rows of electric lights hung from the fruit-bearing pitaya trees, making the dark countryside look particularly vibrant. The team leader suddenly remembered that when he came from the plane, he saw a large golden scene on the ground. It was probably the spectacular scene that can only be seen in a dragon fruit plantation.

Spectacular dragon fruit plantation

Compared to Jinghong City, Mengla County is much more relaxed. Compared to the bustling Jinghong City, this is undoubtedly a great place to get close to the mountains and rivers and experience a leisurely life. However, transportation is not very convenient. For those who drive themselves, it is definitely a good place to go.