6 Days Untamed Yunnan Tour
From Tropical Xishuangbanna to Jingmai Mountain
On this 6-day private tour, immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty and diverse ethnic minority cultures of southern Yunnan province. From the tropical rainforests of Xishuangbanna to the ancient tea plantations of Jingmai Mountain, you'll discover a region of unparalleled scenic splendor and cultural fascination.
With cozy accommodation, private transportation, and expert guides providing cultural insights, this is a truly immersive journey through Yunnan's diverse natural and cultural wonders. Let us handle all the details so you can simply soak in the region's untamed landscapes and rich ethnic minority heritage.
Highlights of this tour
- In Xishuangbanna, explore the Dai Minority Park to learn about the traditions and ways of life of the Dai people;
- Take part in the vibrant Water-Splashing Festival, joining Dai minority celebrations to welcome the New Year;
- Stroll through the picturesque Manting Park, featuring the magnificent Dai-style royal architecture and garden;
- Visit the historic Buddhist complex of Zongfosi Temple, with its gilded halls and towering pagodas;
- Spot Wild Asian Elephants in their natural habitat at the Wild Elephant Valley reserve;
- Uncover the ancient tea-making secrets of the Bulang people in the historic village of Wengji on Jingmai Mountain;
- Trek through the UNESCO-listed Ancient Tea Plantations, learning about the complex semi-wild ecosystem that gives rise to prestigious Puer teas.
Basic Trip Information
- Price:
- from
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- 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a comfortable hotel and traveling in low seasons;
- 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
- Travel Route:
- Xishuangbanna / Jingmai Mountain
- Travel Length:
- 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Tour Code:
- CD-XSBNJMT-06
- Group Size:
- You, your family, friends or group
- Experience:
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- Departure:
- Any day you want
Full Itinerary Day by day
- Day 1 Xishuangbanna Arrival
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Welcome to Xishuangbanna, the home of the Dai people! Upon arrival at Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport, the local guide and driver will meet you at the arrival hall. Transfer to your hotel in Jinghong city. The rest of today is free on your own to explore this southernmost city in Yunnan Province.
Arrival Ideas: You can take direct flights from Kunming (about 1 hour), Dali (about 1 hour), Lijiang (about 70 minutes), Chengdu (about 2 hours), Chongqing, Guiyang and more cities of China to Xishuangbannan. Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport is about 7 kilometers to Jinghong downtown area which needs only 20 minutes.
- Day 2 Xishuangbanna Dai Minority Park - Manting Park - Xishuangbanna Zongfosi Temple (B, L)
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Today, your Xishuangbanna Tour starts with the best of the best highlights of this region!
After breakfast, drive about 30km (0.5~1 h) to Dai Minority Park in Olives Dam to learn about local Dai peole and their culture including their languages, belief systems, dress styles, customs and traditions… Your tour starts from Manchun Buddhist Temple with a long history of 1,400 years. And then you will stroll some of the five Dai villages, which are the best-preserved ones in the whole China, to know how the local’s really live on a daily basis. Most significantly, you will experience the extreme pleasure of being the part of fantastic water fights during their daily Water-splashing Festival.
Notes: 1) Water-splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna, similar to Thailand, is an annual celebration marking the start of the New Year and will be officially held during the 13th day to 15th day of April. However, the water celebrations at Dai Minority Park will be available every day, with one held in the late morning and two in the early afternoon. 2) Take a zip-lock or a small waterproof bag to keep your valuables (like a change of clothes) dry during the water fight.
Then drive to Manting Park, Xishuangbanna’s most famous landmark and the former royal garden of the Dai kingdom. In this complex with a history of 1,300 years, you will be able to relive the splendor and pageantry of the past in every Buddhist statue, towering spire, vacant monastery and beautifully designed lake. And you will find the best examples of Dai Buddhist architecture in the park - the Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion and Manfeilong White Tower.
As you walk further to the back gate of Manting Park, awe-inspiring golden monasteries of Zongfosi Temple will leap to your eyes one after one. Zongfosi has long been the vital heart of Xishuangbanna Buddhist worship. The temple worships more than 25 states of Buddhas, including a remarkable 2.5-meter-high golden statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. More than 80 monks now study here.
After the day tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at Jinghong downtown. This evening is free for you to explore at leisure.
Optional night activity: feast your eyes to appreciate a wonderful Dai Ethnic Show Night on Lancang Mekong River at Manting Park (usually performs for 3.5 hours during 18:30~21:30) and then enjoy happy dancing at the Bonfire Party there.
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- Day 3 Wild Elephant Valley - Jinuo Ethnic Village (B, L)
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Today, get ready to date with the great giants - elephants and to visit the Jinuo Minority Village.
Your exciting morning starts with an invitation to visit the only sanctuary of wild elephants in China - Wild Elephant Valley, where inhabit about 300 elephants. Drive about 30km (0.5-1h), you will be at the south gate of the valley. Skip the small theme gardens near the entrance, you will seize the time to catch a cable car to find the wild elephants first, because they prefer to show up in the early morning (except the midnight). The cable car ride takes about 35 minutes and will take you to the best observation platform by the river deep in the jungle where you are most likely to see them. And then your tour continues with a lush jungle trekking for a descent. Immerse yourself in this adventurous tropical forest trekking experience with opportunities meeting wild elephants coming toward you or playing at the nearby bushes. About half an hour later, you will pass by the Museum of the Asian Elephant. Step into this first elephant museum in China to learn the origin evolution and protection of these giant creatures. Then continue your way back to the Butterfly Garden, Bainiao Garden (Hundred Birds Garden), Monkey Park and Python Park near the entrance to greet more adorable tropical animals.
Notes: It is said that wild elephants prefer to show up at the mid-night most, and then the early morning or at nightfall. However, there is no fixed time. So sometimes you may miss the chances to see them.
This afternoon you will say goodbye to the animals and jungles and then be escorted to Jinuo Ethnic Village, which is inhabited by the 56th group in China called Jinuo Ethnic Group. A lively Jinuo Ethnic Show awaits you. You’ll enjoy the show while trying some typical food of them.
After the day tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at Jinghong downtown. This evening is free for you to explore at leisure.
Optional night activity: hit the busy Gaozhuang Night Market (or Jiangbian Night Market on the other side of the Lancang River) to savor fresh tropical fruits, sample tasty Dai snacks and shop lovely souvenirs without overspending.
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- Day 4 Xishuangbanna - Jingmai Mountain (B, L)
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Today you will travel about 200km (about 2.5hrs' drive) from Xishuangbanna to Jingmai Mountain which is located in Huimin Town, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Pu’er City.
Jingmai Mountain has been successfully listed as a world cultural heritage by virtue of the integrity of the old tea forests, the uniqueness of the ancient architectural community and the inheritance of tea culture activities. Experts praise the old tea forests in Jingmai Mountain as: "A miracle in the history of tea culture", "History and Nature Museum of Tea Culture", "The origin of tea trees cultivation under forests", "The Wonders of Human Farming Civilization".
Venture up to the Jingmai Dazhai Village (景迈大寨) nestled in the mountains. According to legend, the Dai people's forefather, Zhao NuoLa, pursued a red deer to Jingmai Mountain, where he and his entourage ultimately decided to settle. He named the place "Jingmai," which translates to "new city" in their language. The village boasts remarkably well-preserved traditional Dai residential buildings, arranged in a centripetal layout with the village center and Buddhist temple serving as the focal point. This unique architectural design offers a captivating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Dai people.
This evening, you will accommodate in a local guest house on Jingmai Mountain.
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- Day 5 Jingmaishan Landscape and Culture Tour (B, L)
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This morning, try to get up early to watch the magnificent sunrise above the sea of clouds at Golden Pagoda (金塔) where you can find a big viewing platform. Gradually, the sun's disc rose higher, bathing the entire sky in radiant pinks, oranges, and reds that danced and shifted with every second. The clouds transitioned from dark gray to brilliant white, each sculpted form exquisitely defined by the early morning light.
After breakfast, drive a short while to the Viewing Platform which is not far ahread Dazhai Village. Standing on the viewing platform, you will be filled with awe as you gaze out at the majestic mountain range. The peaks are shrouded in mist, creating a sense of mystery and wonder. Below you, a sea of fluffy white clouds stretches endlessly, creating the illusion of a vast, ethereal ocean. In the distance, the tranquil ethinic villages emerges from the mist, a sign of life amidst the serene landscape. Take a deep breath and let the stress of the world melts away, replaced by a profound sense of peace.
You will then go to Nuogang Ancient Village (糯岗寨). "Nuogang" in Dai language means "place where deer drink water". The village is surrounded by ancient tea trees and is home to about 600 people, mostly of the Dai ethnic group who still live in the traditional Dai architecture, which is characterized by "stilt houses". The houses are built on stilts above the ground to protect them from flooding and pests. The roofs of the houses are made of thatch and the walls are made of bamboo. Nuogang village is also known for its ancient tea trees. The tea trees in the village are some of the oldest in the world, and some of them are over 1000 years old. The tea produced from these trees is highly prized and is known for its unique flavor.
This evening, you will accommodate in a local guest house on Jingmai Mountain.
Optional activity: find a local tea house to sit down and enjoy a cup of authentic Puer tea.
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- Day 6 Jingmaishan Tea Culture Tour & Departure (B)
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This morning, get up early to enjoy the beautiful sunrise at Wengji Village. Wengji Village (翁基寨) was selected into China's Traditional Village list, and is also one of the 9 traditional villages that are elements of the "Ancient Tea Plantations of Puer in Xishuangbanna" World Heritage site. The village is built along the mountain terrain, surrounded by ancient tea plantations, at an elevation of around 1350 meters. The village completely preserves the traditional layout and historical appearance of the Bulang ethnic minority villages in the Xishuangbanna region. Inside the village, there is a Buddhist temple which serves as the venue for religious activities and major festivals. Next to the temple is a giant cypress tree over 2,500 years old. The Bulang people living in the village have been growing tea since their ancestors settled here. The Puer tea produced here is of extremely high quality with an excellent taste, and was traded across the country via the Ancient Tea Horse Road. The village also has a unique custom - after getting married, the couple lives at the husband's family home for one year, then moves to live permanently at the wife's family home.
After Wengji Village visit, you will be provided a rare chance to walk deep into the core area of the vast tea plantation in Dapingzhang Old Tea Forest (大平掌古茶林). In the ancient tea forests, most tea trees are 2-5 meters tall, while the larger ancient tea trees approach 12 meters. These ancient tea forests have been formed without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. They mainly rely on natural leaf litter and the herbaceous layer to provide nutrients, and on the biodiversity of the ecosystem to prevent pests and diseases. The spatial structure of the tea forests has three layers: grass at the bottom, tea shrubs in the middle, and tall trees on top. It is this ancient and unique cultivation technique that has preserved the natural ecosystem and biodiversity as much as possible. Marvel at the magic of Mother Nature and wisedom of locals, also enjoy a relaxing walking among the tea forest.
Lastly, you will leave the tea forest and descend Jingmai Mountain. You will be transferred to Puer City or Xishuangbanna City to catch your departure flight/train. Your memorable Jingmai Mountain trip finishes.
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