Slow Pace In-Depth Tour (Yunnan) - 8~9 Days South Yunnan Subtropical Tour Detailed Itinerary
Southern Yunnan, southern Yunnan, everything here is strange and full of surprises:
15 ethnic minorities have lived here for generations, each with their own unique customs and culture. Intangible cultural heritage such as Beye Jing, Dai brocade, Zhangha and Manlun pottery can still be seen in many villages today.
You may not understand lyrics here, but with elephant feet dancing, brown ukulele plucking, and Lahu hymns being sung, you will feel that language and culture are no barriers.
This area is not only a famous Pu-erh tea production area, but also has a tropical scenery similar to Southeast Asia.
(1) When to go?
The average annual temperature in southern Yunnan is about 20 degrees Celsius, and there are only two seasons: dry season and rainy season. May and June are hottest months, so it is not recommended to go, but rest of time is fine:
1. From November to April next year, dry season in southern Yunnan is clear and full of white clouds, which is a good place to take shelter from cold. December to January is best time to go to Jingmai Mountain to see sea of clouds and cherry blossoms; from February to March is season when wild elephants are in heat, and wild elephants are very active at this time; The biggest event in April is Songkran Festival. Yes, this is also peak tourist season in Xishuangbanna.
February, May to October in southern part of Yunnan Province is rainy season. Heavy rains often cause landslides. If you're heading into rainforest, be extra careful. However, it is royal lotus season from July to August at Zhongke Botanical Garden, and fireflies are also very active after summer rain. At this time, a good choice would be to take a short trip to Chashan and watch starry sky at night.
(2) How to organize a route?
For those who do not want to drive themselves, it is recommended to fly directly to Xishuangbanna to start journey from Jinghong as a base camp, from east to west, you will appreciate magical tropical scenery and experience few tea mountain ethnic customs.
Day 1: Visit Manting Park and Xishuangbanna Zongfo Temple to enjoy food and leisure in city.
Man Tinh is oldest park in Xishuangbanna. There are many flowers in park. To left of entrance is King Dai's Palace. Every Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, drummers perform at King Dai Elephant's Palace. The area outside palace is immersed in greenery. Every day at 9:50, 12:00 and 15:40 there are performances of Parrot Paradise. campfire dance party (RMB 280-480/person, including Manting night tour, water lanterns, performances).
Xishuangbanna Manting Park
Zongfo Temple is highest Buddhist temple in Xishuangbanna and has highest religious status in all of Southeast Asia.
Zongfo Temple
Day 2: The Botanical Garden of Chinese Academy of Sciences is well worth a day's walk. In evening, return to city and head to Gaozhuang Xishuangjing to visit Dai style night market.
If you're only going to Jinghong for one scenic spot, head to Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden. It is worth coming here slowly, whether you are an adult or a child, a plant expert or a beginner, here you can have a good time.
Wang Lian in botanical garden
Day 3. Head to Wild Elephant Valley or Dai National Park depending on your interests.
Wild Elephant Valley, this is only place in China where you can safely see wild Asian elephants, but you have to try your luck to see wild elephants. Asian elephants can be seen in regular elephant parade at 9:10 every day. Don't be discouraged if you don't see wild elephants, it's really refreshing to walk along high mountain boardwalk through virgin forest, breathe in fresh air and enjoy surrounding natural scenery. If you're lucky, you'll also see slow lorises and gibbons.
Valley of wild elephants
Garden of Dai Nationality was originally residence of Mengang chiefs in past dynasties. The most noteworthy in garden are several ancient temples, among which Mengang Chungman Temple of Great Buddha is most worth a try.
Travel programs at Dai National Garden
Day 4 Travel to Wantianshu in Mengla and challenge breathtaking aerial trail.
Mengla is one of starting points of ancient Yunnan-Tibet Tea Skate Road. Wangtianshu Forest Park is China's only rainforest landscape.
Wang Tianshu
Day 5: Head west to Menghai. Along way, you can head to Nannuo Mountain in Aini Village to find tea tree king.
Five of six new large tea mountains are located in Menghai. If you love tea, you should go to Brown Tea Mountain in Changlaobanzhang.
Nannuo Mountain is one of famous Pu'er Tea Mountains and is relatively easy to reach and travel-friendly. There are over 40 acres of ancient tea trees with an average age of 300-800 years.
Ancient tea tree
Days 6 and 7: It is recommended to go to Jingmai Mountain in Lancang for a short time of two days. On first day, you can go to Chashan to visit Wenji Ancient Village and Nuogang Ancient Village. Stay here, brew a cup of pu-erh tea, wait for next day's sunrise, and then head to ancient tea garden in afternoon.
Dawn and a sea of clouds in ancient village of Wenji
Day 8. Finally, you can return to Jinghong same way. Or those who do not like to return can also leave directly from Jingmai Airport in Lancang. If you decide to leave Lancang, it is recommended to stop at Laodabao, a Lahu village on your way to Lancang County, where you may be able to see an original singing and dancing performance.
Old Dabao