I just got back from Jingmai Mountain, and I really don't recommend going in April.
April is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Jingmai Mountain, when the spring breeze gently blows across the land. Bathed in the warm spring sun, the vast ancient tea gardens are lush and green, with tender tea buds peeking out from the branches. The air is filled with a refreshing tea aroma, as if whispering stories of a thousand years. If you're looking for a trip to escape the hustle and bustle and return to nature, Jingmai Mountain in April is definitely the perfect choice. Follow this guide to embark on a spring journey to Jingmai Mountain🌱
🍃Best Time to Visit
April is the spring tea-picking season in Jingmai Mountain. During this time, the tea trees all over the mountains sprout tender green buds, dyeing the entire tea mountain a vibrant green. The weather is also very pleasant, with an average temperature between 15-25°C. The gentle sunshine and soft breeze make it neither too hot nor too cold, perfect for traveling. Moreover, you can participate in the tea picking and making process, experience the joy of being a tea farmer, and feel the unique charm of tea culture.
🗺️Itinerary
Day 1
- Morning: After arriving at Jingmai Mountain, check in to your hotel and take a rest to recover from the journey😴
- Noon: Enjoy Jingmai Mountain's specialties at a nearby restaurant. Lemongrass grilled fish, bamboo rice, and wild vegetable omelets are just a few of the dishes that will tantalize your taste buds with rich local flavors🥘
- Afternoon: Visit the ancient village of Wengji. This ancient village has a history of over a thousand years and preserves the traditional architecture and cultural customs of the Bulang ethnic group. Stroll along the stone-paved roads of the ancient village, lined with stilt houses whose thatched roofs shimmer gold in the sunlight. You can visit the villagers' homes, learn about their way of life, taste their homemade roasted tea, and experience their warmth and hospitality🍵 You can also enjoy traditional Bulang song and dance performances in the ancient village, and the unique ethnic customs will surely captivate you💃🕺
- Evening: Find a restaurant with a view in Wengji Village and enjoy dinner while watching the sunset. As the afterglow of the setting sun casts its light on the ancient village and tea mountains, the whole world is painted orange-red, as beautiful as a painting. After dinner, return to the hotel for a sweet dream🌙
Day 2
- Morning: Get up early to watch the sunrise over Jingmai Mountain🌅 The best viewing spot is the Jingmai Mountain Viewing Platform. Stand on the platform and watch the sky gradually turn from dark to light as the sun slowly rises. The golden sunlight spills over the endless tea sea, and the clouds and mist linger among the mountains, creating a dreamlike, ethereal scene.
- Late Morning: Visit the ancient village of Mangjing. Mangjing Village is adjacent to Wengji Village and also has a long history and rich cultural heritage. Here you can find the tomb and altar of Bayanleng, the ancestor of the Bulang people, and learn about the Bulang people's migration history and their reverence for tea. You can also visit the ancient tea gardens, observe the growth of ancient tea trees up close, and listen to local tea farmers explain the knowledge of tea planting and maintenance🧑🌾
- Noon: Have lunch in Mangjing Village and try local snacks such as glutinous rice cakes and cold mixed tea. Cold mixed tea is a unique Jingmai Mountain delicacy made by mixing fresh tea leaves with various seasonings. It has a refreshing taste and a rich tea aroma, so be sure to try it😋
- Afternoon: Experience tea picking and making. Put on tea farmer's clothes, carry a bamboo basket, and walk into the tea garden to pick tender tea buds. After picking, go to the tea processing factory and learn how to fry, roll, and dry tea leaves under the guidance of a master. Make your own Pu'er tea and take home this unique gift from Jingmai Mountain🎁
- Evening: End your pleasant journey and return to your departure point, carrying beautiful memories and a longing for Jingmai Mountain, looking forward to the next encounter🚗
🚗Transportation
- External Transportation: Jingmai Mountain is located in Huimin Town, Lancang County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province. It is about 130 km from Pu'er City and about 70 km from Lancang County.
- Airplane: You can fly to Pu'er Simao Airport or Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport. From Pu'er Simao Airport, you can take the airport bus to Pu'er Bus Station and transfer to a bus to Lancang County. From Lancang, transfer to a bus to Jingmai Mountain. From Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, you can take a special bus to Jingmai Mountain (reservations required), or you can go to Jinghong Bus Station and take a bus to Lancang County, then transfer to a bus to Jingmai Mountain✈️
- High-speed Rail: You can take the high-speed rail to Pu'er Station, then take a bus from Pu'er Bus Station to Lancang County, and then transfer to a bus to Jingmai Mountain🚄
- Bus: If there is a long-distance bus from your city directly to Lancang County, you can also choose to take the bus to Lancang and then transfer to a bus to Jingmai Mountain🚌
- Internal Transportation: The main transportation methods within Jingmai Mountain Scenic Area are chartered cars or local motorcycles. The price of a chartered car varies depending on the model and itinerary, generally around 200-300 yuan per day. Motorcycles are relatively cheaper, but pay attention to safety and wear a helmet🛵
🏠Accommodation
- Jingmai Mountain Bolian Resort: This is a high-end resort hotel located in the core scenic area of Jingmai Mountain. The hotel environment is beautiful, the facilities are complete, and the service is attentive. Each room offers beautiful views of the tea mountains. There is also a spa center, swimming pool, tea room, etc., allowing you to enjoy high-quality resort services while enjoying the natural scenery. However, the price is relatively high, over 1,000 yuan per night💰
- Jingmai Renjia Inn: This is a local inn located in Wengji Ancient Village. The architectural style of the inn blends in with the ancient village. The rooms are clean and tidy, and the price is moderate, around 300-800 yuan per night. Here, you can experience the strong ethnic atmosphere, interact with local villagers, and experience the authentic ancient village life🏡
- Mangjing New Village Homestays: There are many homestays to choose from in Mangjing New Village, with relatively affordable prices, around 100-300 yuan per night. These homestays are mostly run by local villagers. Although the rooms are simple, they are clean and comfortable, and you can also taste home-cooked meals made by the host and feel the warmth of home🏠
📸Photo Spots
- Jingmai Mountain Viewing Platform: This is the best place to enjoy the panoramic view of Jingmai Mountain. Whether it's sunrise or sunset, the view is breathtaking. Standing on the viewing platform, you can see the vast tea gardens, rolling mountains, and the green tea sea complementing each other, like a magnificent landscape painting. Be sure to take photos here📷
- Wengji Ancient Village: The century-old cypress trees, traditional Bulang buildings, and ancient temples in the ancient village are all excellent photo spots. Put on ethnic costumes and stroll through the ancient village, as if traveling back in time. Every corner is a perfect spot for literary and artistic photos🤳
- Mangjing Ancient Tea Garden: Walk into the ancient tea garden, where tall ancient tea trees are scattered. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating patches of light on the ground. Here, you can get up close and personal with the ancient tea trees and take natural and fresh photos to record this unique tea culture landscape🌳
⚠️Travel Tips
- Sun Protection: Jingmai Mountain has plenty of sunshine and strong ultraviolet rays, so be sure to bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and other sun protection items to avoid sunburn🌞
- Respect Local Customs: Jingmai Mountain is inhabited by the Bulang ethnic group, who have unique cultural customs and religious beliefs. During your visit, respect local customs and habits. Do not touch items in villagers' homes without permission, and follow the rules when entering temples🙏
- Mosquito Repellent: There are many mosquitoes in Jingmai Mountain in spring, so remember to bring mosquito repellent spray, essential balm, and other mosquito repellent products to avoid mosquito bites🦟
- Be Cautious When Buying Tea: Pu'er tea from Jingmai Mountain is very famous, but be careful to identify the quality and price of tea when purchasing to avoid being scammed. You can choose to buy from regular tea shops or tea factories, or consult local villagers for purchase advice🍵
💕The beauty of Jingmai Mountain is a kind of untouched natural beauty, a kind of cultural beauty full of historical charm. Here, you can let go of all your worries, immerse yourself in nature, and experience the tranquility and beauty of the tea-scented air. I hope this guide can help you embark on an unforgettable journey to Jingmai Mountain and create your own beautiful memories🎈