Live Your Best Lives
Another self-drive trip of over 5,000 km. I originally planned to go in the summer, but it rains a lot in Banna, so winter is a better time to go. It happened to be before the New Year, so I planned it for a week and booked all the hotels, avoiding peak travel times.
Necessary preparations before the self-drive trip, for your reference.
About equipment and supplies:
Driving related: Car keys, spare key. Driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance, onboard tools, air pump, tow rope, snow chains, battery cables, dashcam, walkie-talkie.
Daily necessities: ID card, border pass, ID photo, umbrella, hat, headscarf, mask, slippers, tissue paper, wet wipes, change of clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, folding beach chair, marker, tape, binoculars, knife, tweezers, ear pick, nail clippers. Scissors, honey,
Documents: Student ID/Senior Citizen ID/Military ID/Disability ID, Travel insurance,
Electronic products: Razor, camera, cell phone, computer, charger, flashlight, preferably a power strip,
Medicine: Band-Aids, oxygen, for diarrhea, colds, anti-inflammatory, headache relief, insomnia, and other personal needs.
First stop: Sanxingdui
Xi'an - Mianyang - Sanxingdui Museum
700 kilometers, stay in Deyang or Mianyang, go early in the morning, reservations are required for the museum, and tickets with a guided tour are available.
Sanxingdui does not look like something made by normal humans. It is recommended not to bring children as they will not understand it. Adults can listen carefully to the explanations with headphones, but very young children will not be interested.
Second stop: Gongga, the King of Shu Mountain
Niubei Mountain was previously an off-road trail, but it was closed for five years for renovations. It just reopened at the end of December, but the approvals are probably still pending, so there's no entrance fee.
Accommodation and dining at the summit are expensive, with no other options for consumption outside the scenic area. A hamburger is over 40 yuan, and a rice bowl is 80 yuan.
The weather was good, and it was definitely worth it. At 3,666 meters above sea level, Ya'an and Chengdu are both at relatively low altitudes. Going straight up, whether for hiking or staying overnight, isn't recommended unless you're returning from the Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
You'll pick up a bus from the parking lot, and after that, you can choose an ATV to drive to the summit for 180 yuan, which is quite cost-effective. A 20-minute drive to a park would cost around 100 yuan, saving you the effort of climbing. Although it's only an hour and a half, this is a plateau.
The view from the summit is stunning.
From the top of the mountain, you can see Mount Emei and Mount Siguniang, but they are quite far away. Mount Gongga is quite clear. It is recommended to go up the mountain early, as fog will rise in the afternoon and block the view of Mount Gongga.
Third stop: Moxi Ancient Town - Hailuogou
Hailuogou has just been repaired from the earthquake, so the impact is not significant. You can get close to Mount Gongga, but it is not as stunning as Niubei Mountain.
The walking trail is not open, so you can only take the cable car in winter. To be honest, the cable car is not cheap, but it is a round trip, a small loop on the top of the mountain. The climb is not difficult. You can see the glacier and, if you are lucky, an avalanche.
It takes 40 minutes to take the scenic bus from the town parking lot.
The pig's trotters across the parking lot are really good.
Stop 4: Hailuogou - Leshan Giant Buddha
The accommodation is right at the entrance of the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area. It's very comfortable and you can enter the area early the next morning.
Don't forget to have a full meal of Bobo Chicken. One skewer of Bobo Chicken per person.
The Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area is not large, and the paths are quite narrow. The experience is completely different depending on the number of people there, as anyone who has been there knows.
Free electric cars are available at the main scenic area entrance at 8/9 am. You can enter from either the east gate or the north gate and exit from the other one. You don't have to go back the same way. Private cars are not allowed to enter. There is also a Buddhist capital scenic area next to it, which you can go to or not.
Yesterday, there was a guy standing on the Buddha's head and saying "n" (no idea how he got there). I heard he was mentally ill.
Fifth Stop: Leshan Giant Buddha - Jinkou Grand Canyon - Qionghai, Xichang
It took 6 hours. The Jinkou Grand Canyon is a canyon on the road, and you can see it without taking the highway. It's free.
The Dadu River is quite spectacular.
We arrived at Qionghai in Xichang. This city has amazing resources. We had just enough time to circle the sea and head east to the Moon Bay Scenic Area to catch a sunset over Qionghai.
Stay at a beachfront B&B for the night and have a small barbecue. Don't stay in the city.
Xichang is famous for its barbecue.
The only downside is that the chickens at the B&B crow a little early in the morning.
Stop 6: Qionghai - Luoji Jiujiuli Hot Spring Waterfall - Kunming
Another advantage of staying by the Qionghai Sea is that it saves you some time tomorrow morning. The Luoji Jiujiuli Hot Spring Waterfall was a pleasant surprise. Known as one of China's top ten hot springs, and a waterfall hot spring, it's not very well-known, and transportation isn't very convenient. Unless you drive yourself or charter a car from Xichang city. First, let's take a look at the photos, then some precautions. It seems the price has increased recently. The early show ticket is 140. Before 9:30, it was 120 when I went.
Finally, a few things to note: being well prepared and not being well prepared will give you two completely different experiences, so read carefully if you're going.
First, the scenic area is privately insured. It's said the owner is Yi, and the staff are mostly from the surrounding area, mostly ethnic minorities. Their business philosophy can't be compared to that of more developed areas.
Because it's a purely outdoor hot spring, there's a long walk from the changing rooms to the hot springs. Making sure you're well-protected is a pleasant experience, but failing to do so can be a real pain. The changing rooms are spartan, temporary structures. The bathrobes, towels, and slippers are about the quality of a guesthouse. There's no place to store clothes around the pools, except for a rack far away. I recommend bringing a large plastic bag or your own bathrobe to avoid mixing it up with others. As long as your bathrobe is dry, you won't be cold.
The weather is also crucial. It's often windy in these mountains, so sunny days are a different experience, as are cloudy ones. I've also soaked in Changbai Mountain hot springs, and the cold doesn't bother me. Changbai Mountain can be as cold as -20 degrees Celsius, so it's crucial to keep your bathrobe dry. I recommend bringing a shower cap, especially for girls. Some parts of the waterfall hot springs require you to dive underwater, so it's impossible to get your hair wet. A shower cap is a great way to go.
Bring your own food. I brought some self-heating rice and cola, but the staff didn't seem to care. The dining area is near the entrance, and you have to wear a bathrobe to get there. It seems the only food available is simple instant noodles, and it's definitely cold.
In short, the scenic area is very primitive. Although it's called a scenic area, there aren't many services, but the natural conditions are truly excellent. It solves the problems of eating, drinking, and defecating. The hot springs are a great experience, and most of the negative reviews online are because these issues haven't been properly addressed. I spent a full five hours there and had a blast.
See the video below for more details.
Afterwards, we arrived in Kunming after dark.
Stop 7: Kunming
There are many online guides to Kunming's attractions, so I'll just focus on introducing them.
Yunnan Provincial Museum: Make an appointment. I recommend going early in the morning when there are fewer people. I came from Xi'an alone, and I didn't feel that the collection was very large. I spent about two hours, at most, to tour all three floors.
Haihong Wetland Park & Haigeng Dam: I recommend the wetland park. If you don't go to Haihong, you can go to other wetland parks. Haigeng Dam is super crowded and boring. Just like the Bund, it's all concrete floors and railings. The wetland park is much better. The two are not far from each other. Go in the afternoon to see the seagulls, when they are more numerous.
Haiyan Village: Watch the sunset, a popular online attraction, so it's always crowded. Find a shop to eat and drink coffee, which is terrible, mixed with instant coffee. The scenery depends on the weather. On a clear day, the sunset is definitely a masterpiece. There is a seawall, so your shoes will get wet. 
Old Street Jiaowu Hall Dai Nationality Snacks Research Institute Cuihu Park: These are not far from each other, and this snack shop is worth a visit.
Wild Mushroom Hotpot: How can a Yunnan resident not eat red mushrooms?
Shuangqiao Night Market: It’s quite big. You can go there if you have nothing to do at night. There are a lot of people.
Stop 8: Kunming - Fuxian Lake (Star Fish Cave) - Jinghong, Xishuangbanna
We went to Fuxian Lake early in the morning. The crowds of tourists for the New Year holiday hadn't left yet, so it was quiet.
In the summer, there should be a lot of water entertainment facilities. It's a nice place with few people and the scenery is beautiful everywhere.
The hard part is here, 7 hours to Xishuangbanna. I should have explored a lot along the way, but Chinese New Year is coming up soon. Based on past experience, staying in Jinghong during the Lunar New Year holidays isn't a good idea, so I plan to slowly make my way back to avoid the crowds.
Stop 8: Jinghong
Let's talk about all the attractions together.
Xingguang Night Market: A must-see attraction, full of people taking photos, eating, and just hanging out. It's packed with people. It's the largest Northeastern night market in Xishuangbanna. It's a bit of an exaggeration to say half the people are from Northeast China, but it's definitely more than a third.
Zongfo Temple: Worth a visit, equivalent to the Potala Palace in Tibet, with a high status. It houses a large rattan Buddha statue, which is indeed not seen in the north. There is also a Bodhi tree, a third-generation Bodhi tree.
Manting Park (Dai Royal Garden): This is connected to the Main Buddhist Temple. Keep your ticket, otherwise you won't be able to enter after visiting the Main Buddhist Temple. However, we strongly recommend entering Manting Park from the Main Buddhist Temple entrance, as the other main entrance is very crowded and tour groups usually go that way. The Main Buddhist Temple entrance is much less crowded, so it's better to visit the Main Buddhist Temple first before going to Manting.
The statue of the Prime Minister. Do you remember the Water-Splashing Festival in your primary school textbooks? At that time, the Prime Minister was the tourism promotion ambassador, otherwise who would know about Banna.
Mandou Village Night Market: Similar to Xingguang Night Market, it's a Northeastern night market, but a bit cheaper. You can walk down the alleys to the riverside, where you can stroll through the restaurants. We went to one called Dai Ah Dai, which was good. There are actually many restaurants nearby that should all be delicious. You can do your research. Go down the steps to the riverside trail, and you'll reach Xingguang Night Market.
Dai Garden: There are several Dai villages surrounded by a garden area. It is not big or small and is a good place to kill time. As for its characteristics, there is nothing special about it.
Ninth Stop: Jinghong - Mengla Parashorea da Vinci (December 28th)
After two nights in Jinghong, we headed to the Dai Garden early on the third morning. From there, it's a two-hour drive directly to the Mengla Parashorea da Vinci Scenic Area.
It was already the 28th day of the lunar year, and the purpose of avoiding peak traffic was precisely this: there were no people on the road. A few days later, it took three or four hours to get there. We arrived at Wangtianshu around 3 p.m., which was just right for a two- to three-hour visit. There were only people leaving, no one entering, so it wasn't crowded. The most famous attraction is the canopy walkway, which costs 120 yuan per person and takes at most half an hour. It's a one-way street, so if there were too many people, you probably wouldn't be able to take any photos. It's just a lonely experience. Besides the canopy walkway, there's also a walking trail inside, which I recommend taking for a longer walk, at most an hour. It feels like a rainforest, very refreshing, and the air is superb.
Stop 10: Mengla - Mengyuan Wonderland Scenic Area (Rainforest Hiking)
We stayed in Mengla County and made an early reservation for the Mengyuan Wonderland Rainforest Hiking Tour the next morning. If you’re not going so far, there’s also one in Jinghong, but it’s probably more crowded.
It's 258 per person, not cheap, and you can add 100 for a rainforest meal. It's all industrially prepared, with someone specializing in cooking, like lotus leaf rice and hand-pulled rice.
The rainforest trek isn't difficult, just beginner-level. The second half is by water, so either bring an extra pair of shoes and socks in the car or buy those military-style rubber boots at the entrance for 25 a pair. A group of about ten people is led by a guide. There are brief explanations of flora and fauna along the way. In winter, there aren't many insects, so no mosquito repellent is needed.
There's a zipline and a rainforest swing along the way, which are great experiences, especially for children.
Stop 11: Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
After Mengyuan Wonderland, head directly to the Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, one of the must-see attractions in Jinghong.
The park is very large, so it is recommended that most tourists only go to the west area. You need to buy a ticket for the west area electric car.
The route from Jinghong to Mengyuan and Mengla goes all the way to Mohan Port, which is just over 40 kilometers away from Mengla. I don't recommend going to the port as there's nothing much to see there, just the national border.
Returning from Wangtianshu, you'll pass Mengyuan Wonderland and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. There are several routes around Jinghong that I recommend visiting along the way. The traffic jams in Jinghong are quite unique, with cars from all over coming, especially on holidays, as the roads are so narrow. So on our last day, we stayed outside the Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden and didn't go into the city.
Stop 12: Wild Elephant Valley (New Year's Eve)
Transportation and parking at the Wild Elephant Valley are quite tricky. Don't navigate to the Wild Elephant Valley, regardless of which gate it is, the south or the north. Navigate to Mengyang, which is 9 kilometers south of the Wild Elephant Valley. Get off the highway and follow the signs for a large parking lot. The scenic area has a free shuttle bus that will take you there. The parking lot is also very large, with multiple areas. Be sure to check the coordinates to avoid being lost when you return.
The recommended route for Wild Elephant Valley is to enter from the South Gate. As soon as you enter, you'll see an elephant show and a Dai folk performance. After the show, you can take a leisurely walk. There's a butterfly pavilion, which is quite fun. The butterflies will land on your hands, but some people pinch butterflies with broken wings, which is not authentic.
To see wild elephants, there's basically no chance of seeing them on the first plank road. If you're coming with a tour group, you probably won't see them. Time doesn't permit it. I spent five hours there. Be sure to take the second plank road, which leads to the observatory. It's a bit of a climb, but not too tiring. It's about one or two kilometers. After a leisurely walk, you can hear the calls of wild elephants in the second half. After watching the wild elephants, if you return to the South Gate, you can take the cable car or return the same way.
Stop 13: Pu'er (New Year's Eve)
After spending most of the day in Wild Elephant Valley, we arrived in Pu'er before dinner to celebrate the New Year with fireworks and watch a gala.
Stop 14 Nakori Ancient Town (First Grade)
The starting point of the Ancient Tea Horse Road is very close to Pu'er. It's not interesting. Just pass by. Parking is difficult.
I bought a lot of coffee and Pu'er tea.
Stop 15 Yuanyang Rice Terraces (First Grade)
There are four scenic spots in Yuanyang Rice Terraces. One ticket is valid for three days. If you are a photography enthusiast, you can stay a few more days and take photos of sunrise and sunset. You can also find a way to walk around the terraces. After all, this is truly unique and shocking in the world. This season happens to be watering the fields, and the scenery is beautiful.
There are many guides on the Internet. Do your own research on where to go during sunrise and sunset. It is very foggy in the mountains and you cannot see. It all depends on luck. It is best to have a drone.
The 16th stop Jianshui (second grade)
Check in Jianshui
Go to Shuanglong Bridge at 9 a.m. and check the details on Baidu. This bridge is unique and quite unique. If you don’t take the Jianshui train, you can meet this car on the platform of Shuanglong Bridge between 9 and 9:30 in the morning.
Jianshui Ancient City is a must-see if you come to Jianshui, but it’s not that interesting
Seventeenth Station Maitreya East Charm (Second Grade 2)
It was still early when we arrived at Maitreya, so we first went to Dongfeng Yun Scenic Area, a man-made scenic spot, but to be honest, it was well planned and quite unique. The most distinctive thing is the Kaleidoscope, a building like a wine bottle with brick walls, but you have to walk a little further to get to the innermost part. During the festival, when electric vehicles line up, it’s better to walk.
The 18th Station Maitreya Jinping Mountain (Maitreya Buddha) (Third Grade)
Known as the largest Maitreya Buddha, it is not as big as Ningbo Xuedou Mountain. The parking lot is far away, and then you have to climb the steps to worship the Buddha sincerely. Fortunately, it is not very high. You can also choose to take a car and go directly to the Big Buddha, but I feel it is unnecessary and you have to queue up.
There are Buddha's hands at the bottom of the Buddha, and there are temples where you can stroll around slowly.
Stop 19 Luoping Rapeseed Flowers (Third Grade)
When the Giant Buddha came out, we headed directly to Luoping, thinking that the rapeseed flowers had not bloomed yet. Fortunately, many of them had already bloomed. Although it was not golden everywhere, it was still worth seeing. It is right on the edge of the city. If it is the peak season, it is probably impossible to drive in.
Twentieth stop Luoping Jiulong Waterfall (fourth day of the lunar new year)
Jiulong Waterfall is known as one of the six major waterfalls in China. It is as famous as Hukou, Huangguoshu and Detian. However, it is still the same as Luoji Jiujiuli in front of it. It may be due to traffic reasons that it is not as famous as the previous ones. This place is actually very close to Guizhou, and the waterfall also smells like Huangguoshu.
It is called Jiulong Waterfall, which means there are nine in total. It is recommended to enter from the west gate. Many guides on the Internet say to enter from the east gate. It is downhill all the way and is not tiring. It is not recommended. 2 hours is enough for the scenic spot itself, and after passing the Lover's Waterfall, the waterfalls above are actually just a few, very small. Besides, if you walk all the way down, you have to take a villager's car from the east gate back to the west gate. It is completely unnecessary. Enter the east gate, walk to the Lover's Waterfall, and then return to the east gate the same way. It is not too tiring. Moreover, each one is more beautiful than the other when walking like this. You can still see the front of the waterfall, and the experience is different.
Stop 21 Luoping-Luzhou (fourth day of junior high school)
It takes 8 hours to arrive in Luzhou and go to Chongqing tomorrow
Stop 22 Luzhou-Chongqing (Fifth day of the lunar month)
This Chinese New Year, except for experiencing the crowds at Jinghong Xingguang Night Market a few days ago, the rest of the journey was fine. After the 29th of the New Year, we took the colder route, and a few days before the New Year, many people were at home. Today is the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, and there are so many people in Chongqing. I originally planned to spend two days in Chongqing, because I have been here several times before, and I picked out a few children who were interested, so I took a quick look and ran.
Eighteen Ladders: This is Wangfujing in Beijing and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an. It is extremely crowded.
Liziba: Internet celebrity attraction, there must be thousands of people watching the light rail passing through the building.
Hongya Cave: The current is restricted, so if you don’t get there, look across the river. I’ve seen it before.
The deepest subway station in Hongyan Village: My child is interested in taking the elevator. It doesn’t take 20 minutes to reach the top, but there are no people there.
Snack Street: It is recommended not to go .
Yangtze River Cableway: Reservations are required. There are fewer people at South Station, but the queues will take at least several hours.
Twenty-third stop Chongqing-Xi'an Return (Sixth day of the Lunar New Year)
We returned one day earlier than originally planned, thinking it would be better. This road was blocked and lasted 15 hours. The main reason was the heavy traffic. The entrance to the service area was blocked, so the speed of traffic behind it was naturally slower, and there were tunnels.
Number of days：6 days, Average cost: 4800 yuan, Updated: 2024.03.08
Number of days: 10 days, Average cost: 6,000 yuan, Updated: 2023.07.12
, , Updated: 2022.03.13
Number of days: 3 days, Average cost: 1000 yuan, Updated: 2021-01-31 20:04
Number of days：6 days, , Updated: 2024.06.18
Number of days: 2 days, Average cost: 1500 yuan, Updated: 2020-08-10 23:25
