Menghai, Yunnan, a mysterious tea town that makes you never want to leave once you arrive?

Menghai, Yunnan Travel Guide (Flexible Budget Version) Location: Western Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province Highlights: Hometown of Pu'er Tea + Tropical Rainforest + Ethnic Minority Culture + Border Town Recommended itinerary: 2-3 days Suitable for: Tea culture enthusiasts / Nature explorers / Foodies / Self-driving travelers Budget range: 500-1500 RMB per person (including transportation/food & accommodation/tickets) Transportation costs (200-600 RMB per person) External transportation: Jinghong Gasa Airport → Menghai (1.5h by car, shared ride 50 RMB/person) Kunming South Bus Station → Menghai (8h bus, ticket 180 RMB) Local transportation: Car rental with driver (300 RMB/day, suitable for tea mountain routes) Electric bike rental (50 RMB/day, suitable for city surroundings) Accommodation recommendations (80-400 RMB per night per person) Budget: Chain hotels in Menghai County (100-150 RMB/night) Special options: Tea mountain homestays (Nannuo Mountain / Lao Ban Zhang, 200-300 RMB/night, includes tea picking experience) Rainforest treehouses (Mengbala Resort, 400 RMB+/night) High-end options: Angsana Hot Spring Hotel (800 RMB+/night, Southeast Asian style) Must-visit attractions & costs 【Tea Culture Route】 Lao Ban Zhang Village (Free) Birthplace of the Pu'er Tea King, taste priceless ancient tree tea (experience price 50-100 RMB/brew) Hidden activity: Go up the mountain with tea farmers to pick fresh leaves (advance booking required) Nannuo Mountain (Free) Hike to the 800-year-old tea tree king + visit Hani ethnic village Dayi Tea Factory (30 RMB ticket) Tour Pu'er tea fermentation process, DIY tea cake pressing (98 RMB/cake) 【Nature & Culture Route】 Daluo Border Port (Free) Check-in at China-Myanmar border, shop cautiously at the jade market Mengjinglai Scenic Area (60 RMB) Dai ethnic village + filming location of "Where Are We Going, Dad?" Single Tree Forest (20 RMB) Millennium banyan tree wonder, dress in Dai costumes for photos (rental 30 RMB/set) Food recommendations (30-100 RMB per meal per person) Must-try three specialties: ① Dai-style barbecue (lemongrass grilled fish 35 RMB/fish) ② Pineapple rice (purple rice + pineapple, 25 RMB/serving) ③ Sapie rice noodles (special bitter sausage sauce, 15 RMB/bowl) Hidden delicacies: Night market grilled tofu (5 RMB/piece) + Paoluda (10 RMB/cup) Budget reference Basic version (500 RMB): Bus transportation + county accommodation + free tea mountain visits Classic version (800 RMB): Includes Lao Ban Zhang experience + Dai village ticket + 1-day car rental In-depth version (1500 RMB): Angsana hot spring + ancient tree tea tasting + half-day cross-border tour Local tips Best season: November to April next year (avoid cold + tea picking season), very lively during Water Splashing Festival Pitfall warnings: Non-experts should avoid buying high-priced Pu'er tea (look for big factory products) Do not cross the border casually in border areas Hidden perks: Go to the farmers' market early morning to hunt wild mushrooms (June-September) Menghun Town Wednesday market (authentic Dai ethnic market) "Tea mountains on the left, rainforest on the right" — here, even the air is filled with the fragrance of tea polyphenols! Need a customized tea travel route? Just call anytime~