Lancang Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)

Ancient Tea Village Charm·Exploring Jingmai

Hidden in the world, Jingmai in Yunnan is known as the top niche attraction! It is the birthplace of Pu'er tea, the location for the fifth Aman hotel in China, and a melting pot of ethnic cultures in the southwest border. Located in Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, it is far from the hustle and bustle, with only the interweaving fragrance of millennium-old tea and earth. Strolling here, one can deeply feel the unique cultural charm of the ancient minority villages. The ancient village is situated in Jingmai Mountain, Lancang County, Pu'er City, on the southwestern border of Yunnan. The itinerary can be flexibly adjusted, with options for a compact two-day tour or a leisurely experience over several days. In terms of transportation, the nearest airport is Lancang Jingmai Airport, but flights are limited; alternatively, one can choose Pu'er Simao Airport, about a four-hour drive; Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport is more convenient, three hours away by car. If time allows, it is recommended to visit Xishuangbanna first, then rent a car to Jingmai Mountain, delving into each village. The national highway along the way is in good condition, but be mindful of the road conditions after entering the mountainous area, especially the 20-kilometer gravel road section, where one should slow down to protect the tea mountain ecology. Recommended attractions include Wengji Ancient Village and Nuogang Ancient Village. Wengji Ancient Village is predominantly inhabited by the Blang people, along with other ethnic groups. Temples and residences are adjacent, with a strong commercial atmosphere. The enthusiastic residents will invite visitors to taste tea, and the unique shops make one feel the ancient village's breeze and slow-paced life. Nuogang Ancient Village is a Dai ethnic village with a light commercial atmosphere and simple and enthusiastic residents. Here one can taste local specialty teas, listen to residents tell cultural stories, and experience the original charm of the ancient village. The sea of clouds, sunrise, and sunset on Jingmai Mountain are all stunningly beautiful. If the weather is clear, it will surely amaze. When taking photos, it is recommended to choose early morning or evening when the light is soft, and the smoky villages are more evocative. For accommodation, one can choose to stay in the villages of Wengji or Jingmai Dazhai, or in Lancang County or Huimin Town, and drive up the mountain early in the morning. Tea Villa Hotel at the foot of Jingmai Mountain is recommended for its tranquil environment and attentive service. In the future, there will also be a cluster of high-end hotels like Aman around Huimin Town. Local cuisine is dominated by Dai and Blang flavors, with Dai dishes being sour and spicy, while Blang cuisine is more fragrant and spicy. Blang home cooking and Menghai barbecue on Jingmai Mountain are both cost-effective choices, with an average cost of about 50 yuan per person. After leaving Jingmai Mountain, one will surely reminisce about the experience, believing that they will set foot on this beautiful land many times in the future. This place will definitely make your trip worthwhile!

World Cultural Heritage - Jingmai Mountain! Winter cherry blossoms, tea mountains, sea of clouds, sunset

In September 2023, at the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the 'Ancient Tea Plantation Cultural Landscape of Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er, China' was successfully inscribed on the World Heritage List, becoming the world's first tea-themed World Cultural Heritage site. Jingmai Mountain is not just about ancient tea plantations. Around the Chinese New Year, you can also enjoy the beautiful winter cherry blossoms! Recommended reasons: ❤️ The ancient villages of Jingmai Mountain have preserved the traditional dwellings of the Bulang ethnic group, surrounded by tea mountains, with morning views of the sea of clouds and evening appreciation of the sunset. Recommended ancient villages: Wengji Ancient Village, Nuogan Ancient Village ❤️ January to February is the cherry blossom season, with hillsides covered in pink. Entering the mountainous area, the journey is filled with pink cherry blossoms. tips: 1. It is about 3 hours away from Pu'er. After entering the core scenic area of Jingmai Mountain, the mountain roads are very bumpy, and it is best to drive an off-road vehicle. 2. The best spot for sunset viewing is at the platform at the entrance of Wengji Ancient Village. If you want to see the sea of clouds, be sure to book a homestay in the village in advance. The owner will also introduce the best viewing spots. 3. Every household in the village sells and makes tea, and if you have time, you can take a leisurely stroll or sit down to enjoy a pot of tea. 4. Almost every courtyard is planted with flowers, making it very suitable for photography. The ancient temple with early cherry blossoms at the entrance of Wengji Ancient Village was once a movie location and is also very photogenic!

The thought of going to Jingmai Mountain conjures up images of a life far removed from the hustle and bustle, carefree as if in the days of the immortals

We always dream of escaping the hustle and bustle to find a secret paradise on earth where we can forget time, forget the mundane, and live a carefree life like the immortals. In the city, we curse everything (after entering the mountains, love and peace prevail) So, it's time to learn about this place, a world heritage of tea culture: Located in Yunnan, it's still a niche destination to this day. Here lies a thousand-year mystery and the simplicity of pristine nature. Every ancient village is guarded by a King Tea Tree. It is a sacred presence, and the sea of clouds and sunrise and sunset here are a photographer's paradise, wandering through the ancient tea mountains. It's as if one has merged with this ancient land. Woken up by wisps of morning mist, The pink ancient tea mountains appear and disappear in the sea of clouds, The rolling sea of clouds surrounds the villages, like a fairyland. In winter, Jingmai Mountain is in full bloom with winter cherry blossoms, dyeing the tea mountains the color of a young girl's blush. Here you can find the banyan tree from the movie 'A Little Closer to Home' and climb it to experience a life isolated from the world. In the afternoon, the warm sun shines through the dense ancient tea forest. Under the guidance of local tea farmers, make a cake of Pu'er tea or chop bamboo to make a bamboo tube tea, gradually forgetting that you are a tourist, transforming into a tea farmer, personally picking and making tea. When night falls, the starry sky is brilliant, The unpolluted starry sky and Milky Way are right above, as if standing at the pinnacle of the universe. Such an experience is truly a visual feast! The rich cuisine in the village is also not to be missed, Braised fish, grilled pork belly, assorted wild vegetables... all are seasonal ingredients, fresh and delicious. After eating and drinking to your heart's content, chat with the locals even if you are a foreigner. Their warmth and simplicity will surely infect you. The only downside is that transportation is not convenient; it is recommended to drive yourself or rent a car in Pu'er to get there. Of course, choosing to set off with Manwan for a carefree journey to Jingmai Mountain, where you can stretch your body and mind, is comfortable. Here, there is not only external beauty but also inner spirit and beliefs waiting for you to discover.

Congratulations, the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest's application for World Heritage status has been successful!

The world's Pu'er, China's tea. My initial visit to Pu'er was due to coffee and the movie 'Home at the Touch of a Button'; later, I revisited many times because of Pu'er's relaxed vibe, delicious food, and pleasant climate. When it comes to Pu'er, I never tire of recommending it to my friends. There are many things about Pu'er that touch me. I enjoy riding a shared electric bike through the small city, feeling the lively atmosphere of the streets and alleys; I like to repeatedly visit and never tire of my favorite little shops; I love being surrounded by the lush greenery; I love listening to the rain and looking at the peaceful scenery outside the window on Jingmai Mountain; and I also enjoy the rhythm and enthusiasm of the happy Lahu music at Old Da Bao. The first time I went to Pu'er, I thought this might just be the place where I would like to settle down for the rest of my life.

Yunnan Offbeat | First Encounter and Delightful Guide to Nuogan Ancient Village after Rain

In the Jingmai Mountain of Lancang There is an ancient village called Nuogan The village is simple and quiet Each household makes a living by tea planting The whole village is not big Now there are less than 300 households left It's one of the well-preserved original ancient villages in China without commercialization, which is really rare The Jingmai Mountain where the village is located is also applying for intangible cultural heritage Liu Haoran's movie 'One Point Straight Home' was also filmed here. This village is really my favorite among all the ancient villages I have visited. I want to stay here for a month doing nothing I went there in mid-February The whole Jingmai Mountain was already full of flowers. Actually, it's most beautiful to go there in March and April At this time, you can also experience tea picking Finally, some practical information: How to get there: You can choose to drive or take a bus. The overall road condition of Jingmai Mountain is asphalt road, but there are many winding mountain roads and bends. Be careful of oncoming vehicles when turning. How to shoot: The day I went happened to be a rainy day, so the photos taken have a very special feel. The rain turned the eaves into a deep blue color. The main shooting location is on the main road when you enter Nuogan Ancient Village. You can also go to the roof of a local Dai family's house to shoot, which is also very photogenic. When shooting, be sure to pay attention to exposure, do not overexpose ◆How to edit photos: You can edit towards dark and blue tones, with the highlights leaning towards blue and the shadows leaning towards blue-green ◆How to play: It is recommended to control the duration of the visit to two days and one night On the first day, you can stay in the neighboring Wengji Ancient Village, and play in each village for an afternoon In Wengji Ancient Village, you can see the sea of clouds in the parking lot, and both the village gate and the village center are suitable for check-in. Remember to try the local corn wine and lemongrass grilled fish~

A millennium-old Dai village unknown to 90% of tourists is actually located here

🍁 Deep in the forests by the Lancang River, there live generations of tea growers. Nuogan ancient village, also known as Shuizhai, is inhabited by the indigenous Dai people. The primitive and simple old village is nestled among thousands of acres of ancient tea gardens. The overall road conditions involve winding mountain roads and numerous curves, requiring experienced drivers to take the wheel, with self-driving or chartered cars being the main options. 🍁 Stepping into Nuogan ancient village, the village is built against the mountain in a scattered and orderly manner, with green-tiled wooden houses, and a strong Dai ethnic style hits you in the face. The village is not large, there are not many tourists, and the commercial atmosphere is not strong. Here, one can truly feel the charm of nature and the human touch. This is the most beautiful village I have seen in Yunnan so far! 🍁 The villagers here are simple and kind, and most families in the village make a living by growing tea. Every household in the ancient village has a tea house where you can drink tea for free, and the villagers also make one feel very comfortable. 🍁 Roasted tea, roasted milk tea, roasted meat... Simple folk customs! Of course! There are also ancient teas that are hundreds and thousands of years old! You deserve to come!

Off-the-Beaten-Path Destination Recommendation: A Primitive Village Hidden in the Mountains

Nuogang Ancient Village is located in Jingmai Village, Huimin Hani Township, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the village sits beside water and mountains, its primitive simplicity is like a paradise on earth. Nuogang Ancient Village means 'the place where deer drink water' in the Dai language. It is said that herds of wild deer used to come here to drink water, hence the name. It is also called Nuogan Ancient Village. The primitive and simple old village is nestled among thousands of acres of ancient tea gardens. The village is surrounded by these tea gardens, and most families in the village make a living by planting tea. They have been tea farmers for generations, simple and kind-hearted. Nuogang Ancient Village was once a poor little village. But now, it has gradually become known because of Pu'er tea. Here, it still retains its original tranquility and is worth a visit. 🎈Travel Tips 📍Nearby Attractions Recommendations ✅Jingmai Da Village ✅Nuogang Ancient Village (Nuogan Ancient Village) ✅Wengji Ancient Village ✅Wengwa Ancient Village 🏠Accommodation Recommendations ✅There are many options during the off-season, and you can check online in advance (Here's a little tip: after seeing the room on-site, you can bargain! After all, it's the off-season) ✅During the peak season, be sure to book in advance, otherwise it will be difficult to find accommodation ✅The newly built villages also have many accommodations, and the conditions are generally better 🚙Transportation Information ✅Important, important, important is transportation. Whether you are going to Jingmai Da Village, Nuogang/Nuogan Ancient Village, or Wengji Ancient Village, it is best to drive yourself. Chartered cars are a bit expensive, but if you have time, you can take the bus. ✅From Pu'er May 1st Bus Terminal, buy a ticket to Lancang (146 km, 90Y/person), 9-seater bus; the earliest bus departs from Pu'er Bus Terminal at 7 am, with a bus every half hour ✅Upon arriving in Lancang County, take the 14:20 direct bus to Mangjing (28Y/person) and get off at Nuogan Ancient Village (However, after boarding, the driver will collect an additional 5 yuan, because the fare to Mangjing is 33Y/person) ✅If you miss the direct bus, take a bus to Huimin Town. Then, at Huimin Bus Station, take a bus to Jingmai Mountain/Manghong (nearly 30 km, 15Y) ✅To take the bus down the mountain, you need to call the driver in advance to reserve a seat, please check the specific departure time in the picture information at the end 🌟PS: If you miss the bus, a chartered car costs 200Y per vehicle to go up, or you can stay in Huimin Town for one night, because besides the bus, taxi apps are not available

The thousand-year-old Dai ancient village in Jingmai Mountain: Nuogan ancient village at dawn

There is no hustle and bustle in the ancient village, no stress from the city, no hotels, no bars, no hawking, only the original simplicity and nature, and the fragrance of Pu'er tea from the old tea shop. People live in a relatively primitive way, here you can feel the charm of nature, see the original state of life, feel the human world, look at the sea of clouds, breathe the sweet air of tea, cleanse the soul, relax, feel the simplicity of the Dai people.

Puer Jingmai Mountain | A hidden paradise that urban dwellers don't want to leave once they visit

⛰️ Jingmai Mountain is located in Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, China, and is one of the six famous tea mountains in China, known for its ancient tea trees and unique tea culture. The mountain is shrouded in mist and covered with tea trees, making it one of the important production areas for Pu'er tea. This mountain, with its long history and rich cultural heritage, successfully applied for intangible cultural heritage last year. 📍 Location Located in Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, it is in Pu'er but also very close to Xishuangbanna ✈️ Transportation 1️⃣ Lancang Jingmai Airport (70 km, 2 hours by car) 2️⃣ Pu'er Simao Airport (200 km, 3.5 hours by car) 3️⃣ Pu'er High-speed Train Station (200 km, 3.5 hours by car) 4️⃣ Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport (133 km, 3 hours by car) 🏠 Accommodation You can stay in a hotel at the foot of the mountain, or experience a homestay on the mountain. We decided to go there temporarily during the Spring Festival this year, so we didn't book a room, but if you can stay on the mountain, watching the sunrise over the sea of clouds, experiencing the sunset glow, savoring a pot of high-mountain ancient tea, gazing at the full moon over the mountain top, experiencing the ancient mountain culture and daily rhythm, letting go of all thoughts and anxieties, and connecting closely with nature, it must feel amazing. Definitely want to experience it next time. 🍚 Food There are many farmhouses on the mountain where you can have a taste. The cuisine of the Yunnan minorities is mainly spicy, but you can communicate in advance for less spicy or non-spicy options. The taste is very good, with an average cost of about 80 yuan per person. 🍵 Tea Tasting After going up the mountain, you are drinking all the way, even before meals the owner will invite you to taste tea. You can find a favorite scenic spot and shop to experience the local tea culture, from clear tea to milk tea to roasted tea, there is always one that you will like. 🏞️ Attractions We drove from Menglian to Jingmai Mountain, which took about 3 hours, and then went up to the scenic area. There are many villages in the scenic area, such as Mangjing Village and Jingmai Village, but the most famous are Wengji Ancient Village and Nuogan Ancient Village, so we visited these two, as well as the ancient tea gardens and temples 1️⃣ Wengji Ancient Village (Blang ethnicity): Featuring Blang ethnic culture, the village is small and can be walked from end to end, with many tea shops suitable for tea tasting and enjoying the view 2️⃣ Nuogan Ancient Village (Dai ethnicity): Featuring Dai ethnic culture, it was too crowded when we went, so we didn't take many photos, but it felt great, and we definitely want to avoid holidays and experience it properly next time. 3️⃣ Ancient Tea Garden: See the thousand-year-old tea garden spanning ten thousand acres, a place that resonates with history and the past. It has been 1800 years and is known as the 'Natural Museum of Tea Trees'.

Mysterious Jingmai Mountain, the hidden ancient temple in Wengji Village that is easy to miss!

Wengji Buddhist Temple is on the right side of the intersection of Wengji Ancient Village, the entrance is not conspicuous, a bit easy to be missed. On the west side of the temple there is an ancient cypress tree with a tree age of 2580 years. The tree diameter is 11m, the breast diameter is 3.5m, the tree height is more than 20 meters, it is said that a long time ago there was a demon dragon doing evil on the back mountain, to relieve the suffering of the villagers, a Buddha came to the village to meditate and chant sutras to reform the evil dragon, over time, the evil dragon was moved and transformed into a cypress tree, the villagers call it the ancient cypress listening to the sutras. In addition, on the right hand side of the temple entrance, there are steps up to the viewing platform to see the panoramic view of the village.

Wengji Millennium Brown Ancient Village in Mang Village, Huimin Township, Yi County, 73 kilometers from the county seat and 28 kilometers from the township government. There are 80 households and 380 people in Quanzhai, including 295 people from the Blang ethnic group. The history of the Blang ethnic group is preserved and inherited intact. The original style is rich, the natural scenery is beautiful, and the national characteristics are outstanding. It is known as the Millennium Brown Ancient Village.

Jingmai Mountain preserves the oldest and complete tea culture customs of Chinese ethnic minorities. There are no obvious boundaries between forests, clouds, tea trees and villages. People live in tea forests, and the air is filled with infinite tea and flowers. And the aroma of thousands of plants. Wengji Guzhai is a small stockade under Jingmai Mountain. It has been made by tea and tea for generations, and every household is well versed in tea making skills. Because it is far from the mainland of the ancestral land, and surrounded by mountains, it is shrouded in thick clouds all the year round, and there have been few wars in history.

Pu'er Farmhouse

On a piece of ancient and peaceful land, people can see the distant past of the old fortress, appreciate the culture of the Lahu people, listen to the ethereal and melodious music, and admire the beauty of the tea mountains shrouded in clouds. The hotel is located here, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the local culture and enjoy the unique tranquility of the mountains. The hotel is situated on a tea mountain opposite the millennium-old fortress, surrounded by green hills and terraced fields, with clouds rolling by, blending seamlessly with the natural environment. On both sides of the plank road are vast tea gardens; during the spring tea season, the air here is filled with the fragrance of tea. The tea field landscape rooms are suspended above the tea fields, with white roofs and round house designs that create a great sense of space. The rooms have large floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the beautiful scenery outside into view. The balcony is very spacious, and sitting in a chair chatting in the breeze is very pleasant. The equipped bathtub is placed by the window, and taking a bath after a day's fatigue is very comfortable. The breakfast at the service island here is very rich, and getting up early for rice noodles is a good choice. Additionally, you can taste the light and deep aroma of Yunnan Pu'er tea, dance with the Lahu people, and hike in Jingmai Mountain. Every moment of the experience is an insight into life. Hotel | Ctrip Holiday Farmhouse (Lancang Lao Da Bao Joint Venture Store) Address | Ctrip Holiday Farmhouse (Lancang Lao Da Bao Joint Venture Store), Lao Da Bao Fortress, Lancang County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province

Nice moment in JingMai Villages. Visited Nuangang and Laodabao villages

Lao Dabao has very prominent national folk music. As a whole, Lao Dabao traditional music can be divided into two parts. The first category is traditional, with narrative songs, folk songs, love songs, children's songs, custom songs and so on. Most people who master this type of music are over 50 years old. The 65-year-old Li Za Ge not only has a very good performance in the reed dance, but is also known as the "Eight Eight" (Dancing Prince) by the Zhai people. Moreover, the mastery of traditional music is more comprehensive, and the Lashi celebrity epic "Mumpamipa" can be completely sung.

When you walk into the old Dabao Village, you can always hear the beautiful reed sound from the ancient dry-style bar-shaped building and the accompaniment of the accompaniment. Ladha's Lahu dance has a wide range of traditions and masses, and everyone can sing and dance. Each family can have more than 2 singing and dancing performances. The formation of such a pattern is mainly based on the perennial teachings of the parents and the love of the traditional culture and art of the Lahu people. The young people are always fascinated and studied carefully, and have been passed down from generation to generation. In Lao Da Bao, it is a man who will blow the reeds and dance the reeds. It is a woman who will dance and dance. There are nearly 100 routines for the reed dance and the dance.