Yunnan cannot be described with only one word "beautiful", perhaps only the description of "colorful" can be worthy of it! But to trace the origin of "Colorful Yunnan", there is another story to tell:
Yunnan is the place where Zhuge Liang led the Shu army to camp during the Three Kingdoms period. Legend has it that when Zhuge Liang captured Menghuo for the first time, colorful auspicious clouds suddenly appeared in the sky. Zhuge Liang thought it was a hint from God that he had to capture Menghuo seven times before he could truly conquer the hearts of the people here. So there is the allusion of "seven captures of Menghuo", and the origin of colorful Yunnan.
I have been to Yunnan many times. In 2018 alone, I have been here as many as 4 times, but each time, it can make me feel a different "color". I am deeply attracted by this magical place. Since then, I have fallen in love with this land irresistibly.
This time I decided to escape to the border of western Yunnan in the cold winter! In addition to planning an unusual trip to the border hot springs, I also want to deeply experience the traditional cuisine of the ethnic minorities here.
I have been to Yunnan many times, but this is our only "Roaming Notes", you can collect it first, and then read it slowly...
Walking on the border is not very convenient in terms of transportation, so the only recommended way to travel is by car. Therefore, a car with a large space that is comfortable enough is almost a must. While it can put down the accompanying luggage, it can also satisfy my desire to "buy, buy, buy" along the way.
During the self-driving journey, owning a 7-seater car can make your journey have more possibilities. Folding down the third row of seats can put more luggage, and opening the seats can take 2 more passengers. Walking with you, let the whole process of laughter continue.
Exclusive line offered
Regarding the self-driving "Ruili-Tengchong" on the China-Myanmar border, there are really few existing strategies on the Internet. I have seen a few articles, which are basically running accounts. They can't help me, so I decided to write an in-depth article, hoping to let more People fall in love with this Dian of colorful clouds.
My customized itinerary for you is
Fly to Dehong (Mangshi) - Ruili - Longchuan - Yingjiang - Lianghe - Tengchong
Then fly home from the airport in Tengchong
In fact, the total length of this trip is less than 300 kilometers and lasts for 7 days. Because it is positioned as a deep "roaming", the way of self-driving is very leisurely, adhering to the feeling of "not rushing, but feeling the road", you will find that every day's journey is a surprise.
Of course, I think this line can also be reversed! It doesn't affect its splendor.
Special reminder: Since it is a border tour, please keep your ID card and driver's license ready for inspection at any time.
In the following article, I will recommend interesting niche attractions, exotic food, and better hot spring resort hotels along the way.
First stop: Ruili
Entering the wonderland, unknowingly crossing the two countries
Ruili, known as Mengmao in ancient times, means "fog city" in Dai language, and it is a very beautiful border town. It is closely bordered with Myanmar and has the reputation of "Oriental Jewelry City", "Pearl of Port", "Hometown of Peacocks" and "Green Treasure Land".
Must-go attractions: One Village and Two Countries
This is a magical Dai village. It is divided into two by the national border. The Chinese side is called Yinjing, and the Burmese side is called Mangxiu. The national border is actually very blurred here, and everyone does not distinguish between you and me. For example, Chinese melon vines often climb to Burmese fences to produce melons, and Burmese hens will go to Chinese residents' homes to lay eggs.
Drive to the gate of Yizhai and the two countries, first stop to take pictures and check in as a souvenir! The high appearance of Chery Tiggo 8 easily attracted many tourists to inquire about the price of the vehicle.
The scenic area is bounded by a line paved with jade. The scenery inside incorporates many local characteristics of Myanmar, so it is not bad to experience the exotic customs without going abroad.
There is a big swing in the two countries of Yizhai called "One Swing Two Countries", and tourists can queue up to experience it for free. Have you ever tried to go abroad on a swing? No, I went out of the country dozens of times a day, which is a record-breaking trip to Myanmar and to the motherland.
Recommended other scenic spots: Jiegao Port, Zaduo Tropical Rainforest, Wanding Bridge, Jiele Shwedagon Pagoda, Mangling Lone Forest, etc.
Summary: The scenic spot is actually very small, not very exquisite, but it is definitely worth a visit, after all, you can still travel abroad for free.
Ruili recommended hot spring hotel: Ruili Jingcheng Dihai Hot Spring Resort Center
This is the best hot spring hotel in Ruili, full of luxury. The supporting hot spring bathing center is next to the hotel. You will get a free hot spring ticket when you check in, and there is a free shuttle bus to and from the hotel. The good news is that the service time of the hot spring center is until one o'clock in the morning, which is enough for you to soak.
If you don't live in this hotel, you can also go to the hot spring center to take a hot spring, but you need to buy a ticket yourself, the ticket price is 200/person.
Jingcheng Dihai Hot Spring has a rare hot spring - Emerald Spring. The temperature of the water outlet is as high as 103 degrees Celsius.
In 2008, in the evaluation of the first batch of 30 hot spring units in Yunnan Province, the water quality of Feicui Spring Hot Spring ranked first, and it was certified as "Tourist Hot Spring Special Quality", becoming the veritable "No. 1 Hot Spring in Yunnan".
There are many spring pools of different sizes and functions in the spring area, and the water temperature is also high or low, allowing guests to choose.
The hot spring center is equipped with SPA physiotherapy services, the price is very reasonable, a full set of foot therapy is strongly recommended, and the price is very high.
Advantages: high-end atmosphere, high-grade, low-key luxury and connotation. There is a SPA center with reasonable prices.
Disadvantages: The hotel wifi signal is really bad.
Second stop: Longchuan
Turn the green leaves into a plate and transform yourself into a sister of the Jingpo ethnic group
Leaving Ruili, we drove to Longchuan, 24 kilometers away. This is a small county town not to be missed, just because it is the hometown of the Jingpo ethnic minority.
In order to experience the customs of the Jingpo people, I deliberately found a farmhouse in the mountains. Grandma, help me put on the traditional clothes of the Jingpo ethnic group, go to the mountains and forests to pick the big green leaves of the unique green leaf feast of the Jingpo ethnic group, and really experience it. A day for a Jingpo girl is really super interesting.
Longchuan, called "Mengwan" in Dai language, means the place where the sun shines. The kind-hearted Jingpo people live here with the most simple character, passing down their cultural traditions and virtues from generation to generation.
If you have a chance, you can come to Longchuan during the "New Rice Festival", a unique festival of the Jingpo people, and celebrate the festival with them. I believe you will like it even more.
Longchuan recommended hot spring hotel: Longchuan Longan Xinma Hot Spring Resort Hotel
This hotel is far away from the hustle and bustle, in a very secluded place, passing a large sugarcane field on the way, it looks endless, super feeling. Because Longchuan is a small county-level town with a lot of farmland around it, Longan Xinma Hotel is particularly mysterious and hidden.
The overall environment of the hotel is really beautiful. After getting out of the car, it feels a bit like arriving in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The only difference is that there is a hot spring here.
The hotel rooms are a series of water houses, and each house is named after a place in Thailand, such as Bangkok, Pattaya... etc. This environment is especially suitable for taking pictures.
The hot spring area is even more beautiful. It is called: The Wizard of Oz, which is really worthy of the name.
The spring pools are looming among the green shrubs, and each spring pool has a flower name, such as: dragon boat flower, frangipani...etc. Soaking in hot springs in such an environment is really a feeling of blending into nature, and the body and mind are very relaxed and comfortable.
Advantages: The environment is really beautiful, the Wizard of Oz. The self-service barbecue is delicious, and the hair dryer works well.
Disadvantages: The sound insulation of the room is poor, and the wind is poor (the wall is made of bamboo mat material), the bath water does not flush, and the breakfast is mediocre. No spa service.
The third stop: Yingjiang
Xanadu, where there is water, there is spirit
Departing from Longchuan, we drove more than 90 kilometers early in the morning, because there is a beautiful scenic spot—Xiang'e Lake.
This is a newly developed scenic spot with natural lake views and flocks of wild birds.
You can take a bamboo raft in the lake, integrate yourself into such a beautiful picture, and sing a folk song, as if everything in the world has nothing to do with you, you just want to stay here and watch the birds fly by.
After driving for nearly 60 kilometers, you can come to another paradise - Lake Kaibangya, which is definitely worth visiting.
This should be the impression of Yingjiang. The morning has the freshness of the morning, and the sunset has the charm of the sunset.
Small islands are scattered in Kaibangya Lake. Take a boat to the highest island to overlook its panorama. This is the "Thousand Island Lake" in the west of Yunnan. It is really beautiful. I can't describe my mood at that time with words. It can only be said that this is a good place to quietly daze.
So I borrowed a fishing rod from the fishermen and sat by the lake to fish. At that moment, I seemed to feel Jiang Ziya's state of mind back then! My heart silently... fell in love with this place.
Yingjiang recommended hot spring hotel: Yingjiang Phoenix Hot Spring Holiday Hotel
This is a very affordable hot spring hotel with ordinary room facilities, and the location is next to the main road, so it is easy to find. There is nothing remarkable about the hotel environment, it is just a decent hotel in the family.
The hot spring is on the right side of the hotel, you need to change into a swimsuit and walk for three to five minutes to get there.
In addition to being free for hotel guests, the hot spring is also open to the public, 40/person, which is really cheap. So you will meet a lot of local people, and it is quite interesting to speak some Dai dialects that you do not understand.
The hot spring environment is on a small hillside, and the spring pools go up and down, large and small, very original. Overall it feels okay. After all, it is still very cheap.
Advantages: Affordable price, ok wifi speed, convenient transportation.
Disadvantages: The supporting facilities of the hotel are average, there is no elevator, the hair dryer does not work well, and the breakfast only has rice noodles, eggs and corn. No spa service.
Fourth stop: Lianghe
A "Wu Ge Food Shop", an "ethnic museum"
Lianghe, the hometown of cucurbit silk, is actually a very small place, but I discovered a great place - "Wuge Food Square". It is said that this is a food workshop, it is better to say that this is a minority museum.
It is actually a restaurant, but what makes it different is the interior decoration, which is really breathtaking. This restaurant is simply a work of art. Walking into the courtyard, everything you see in front of you has a sense of history.
Wu Ge, the founder of the restaurant, is from the Dai nationality. He spent nearly six years in the mountains on the China-Myanmar border, buying tens of thousands of "old objects" and putting them all in this restaurant for decoration.
The table we used may have been transformed from an old window. It is conceivable that every bit of this place is Wu Ge's painstaking effort. It really looks like an extremely artistic "museum".
It's really super beautiful. If you have a chance, you can come here, I guarantee you will like this food shop.
Recommended hot spring hotel in Lianghe: Lianghe Jinta Hot Spring Hotel
As the name suggests, because the hotel is directly opposite the Mengdi Shwedagon Pagoda, it is called Jinta Hot Spring Hotel. This should be a very good hotel near Lianghe. The room facilities are relatively complete and the layout is diverse.
The hotel's hot spring is Longwo hot spring water, the water quality is very good, and it smells of sulfur. The environment for bathing is okay, and the area is not very large.
Pros: Well-equipped, clean, rich breakfast. There are SPA services.
Disadvantages: The hot spring area is small, there is no public bathing area, and swimsuits must be changed in the room.
Fifth stop: Tengchong
If I miss you, my tinkling heart will have nowhere to rest
The most famous scenic spot in Tengchong is Heshun Ancient Town. For me, it's like opening a picture scroll of tranquility and tranquility. Walking on the narrow stone road, I feel its long and long.
It seems that I have been here before, so kind, I can hear it telling the dull years after the historical precipitation. I think I can use one word to describe my feelings about Tengchong, which is "time travel".
If you come to Tengchong, you must come~ Atami
There are 99 volcanoes and 88 hot springs in the Tengchong area. The coexistence of geothermal heat and volcanoes is really rare in the world. Rehai is the iconic scenic spot in Tengchong, with a ticket of 60.
As soon as I entered the scenic spot, I was chased and intercepted by aunts selling eggs. I was still wondering why so many eggs were sold?
When you walk to the top, you will understand that the water temperature of the most famous "big rolling pot" in Atami is as high as 97 degrees Celsius. Steam the eggs and savor this heavenly treat. It's actually quite interesting.
Tengchong recommended hot spring hotel: Tengchong Atami Hot Spring Resort Wine
The hotel is located in the hot sea area and is divided into: Jade Hot Spring, Beauty Pool, and Health Pavilion. Among them, Yu Hot Spring is a villa area, and the price is around 7,000, while the other two range from 1,000 to 3,000. In fact, just one word: luxury. One word: expensive.
In fact, there is also a hot spring open to tourists in the hot sea area, which is open until one o'clock in the morning, and the price is 288 per person. It is acceptable if you don't stay in a single hot spring.
Recommend another hot spring hotel: Tengchong Mayugu Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree, as we all know, has first-class service quality and expensive prices, about 3,000 yuan.
But you can stay at Banyan Tree, and then buy a single hot spring ticket in it, which is 200/person. I think the price is still very fair, and it is a good choice.
Continue to recommend a very good inn: Tengchong Seclusion-Jiushe Panoramic Holiday Inn
Not much to say, just look at the picture. Very beautiful
Self-driving on the border of western Yunnan
Of Gourmet Articles
For me, a walking foodie, of course I have to recommend the most powerful restaurant to everyone. I will definitely not disappoint your taste buds.
1. Ruili
Highly recommended restaurant: Ruili Mengmao Banquet
Must-try dishes: Coconut Worm, Roast Beef in Bamboo Tube, Ant Egg Rice Noodles
Swallow leaf worms raw, "eating" is fun, one bite at a time, super enjoyable, must try!
Beef in bamboo tube is delicious!
Brother from Myanmar, personally taught us how to eat rice noodles.
You must not miss the delicacy when you come to Ruili.
2. Longchuan
Recommended restaurant: Wang's Farm House
Very original Jingpo cuisine, eat it directly with your hands.
Jingpo Green Leaf Banquet
3. Yingjiang
Recommended restaurant: Yanpang Farmhouse Restaurant
Must-eat dishes: Roasted Pork, Black Feather Chicken
4. Lianghe
Recommended restaurant: Wu Ge Restaurant
Must-eat dishes: beef head game, grilled steak, grilled chicken, finger feast
5. Tengchong
Recommended restaurant: Boss Ji’s Huotang
Must-eat dishes: Original pork belly, chicken feet, so delicious!
Other special snacks along the border: Paoluda, Baikuai, Dajiujia.
Make Burmese Dessert "Pawruda" by Yourself
There is no trace in summer, and there is no trace in winter. Here, every mountain, every river, every tree and every flower is full of magical light. If I miss you, my tinkling heart will have nowhere to rest. It is impossible to miss you, because through the millennium, I came to you.
This time, my in-depth "hot spring food" trip to the border is here. I hope you who see it here will give me a thumbs up for Gu Liang who stayed up late to write this article!