Yunnan · 8 days / 7 nights
8-Day Yunnan: Xishuangbanna Rainforest & Pu’er Tea Country
Wild elephants, a tropical botanical garden, a Jinuo rainforest trail — then three nights up on Jingmai Mountain, inside the tea forests that UNESCO listed in 2023.
The route we run for people who have already seen Dali and Lijiang, or who simply want the warm, green, southern end of the province. It is the least Chinese-looking part of China.
Day by dayExactly what happens, in order — nothing added for the brochure.
Welcome to Kunming: The Spring City Arrival
Upon landing at Kunming Changshui International Airport, our driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel for a smooth check-in. Take the remainder of the day to rest or take a gentle stroll around the hotel neighbourhood – the pleasant year-round spring climate makes every breath refreshing. Overnight in Kunming.
Wild Elephants & Tropical Vibes
Morning transfer. After breakfast, we'll escort you to the railway station for a high-speed train to Xishuangbanna (approx. 3.5 hours). Upon arrival, a local guide will meet you and take you to lunch.
Wild Elephant Valley (2.5–3 hours). Walk along raised boardwalks through the rainforest, where you may spot wild Asian elephants bathing or feeding – keep your camera ready for these gentle giants wandering just metres away.
Hotel check-in. Settle into your hotel in Jinghong and relax after a day of travel and jungle excitement. Overnight in Xishuangbanna.
Botanical Wonders & Splashing Fun
Chinese Academy of Sciences Tropical Botanical Garden (3 hours). Explore China's largest and most diverse tropical plant park – wander through palm forests, lotus ponds, and the spectacular "sky garden" with hundreds of orchid species hanging in mid-air.
Dai Ethnic Park (2 hours, including water-splashing). Immerse yourself in Dai culture – watch a traditional performance, then join the joyful water-splashing festival (a Dai New Year ritual) where everyone drenches each other for good luck. Overnight in Xishuangbanna.
Rainforest Trek, Golden Pagoda & Night Market Magic
Jinuo Mountain Rainforest Trek (3.5–4 hours). Follow a local Jinuo guide deep into the pristine jungle – cross bamboo bridges, discover medicinal plants, listen to bird calls, and cool off under a hidden waterfall.
Gaozhuang Xishuangjing (1.5 hours). Visit the dazzling "Starlight" scenic area with its golden pagoda and Thai-style buildings – an architectural dream that glows at sunset.
Gaozhuang Night Market (1.5–2 hours, self-guided return to hotel): Stroll through hundreds of food stalls under twinkling lanterns – try grilled fish, sticky rice in bamboo tubes, and exotic fruits while soaking up the lively border-town atmosphere. Return to your hotel on your own (it's nearby).
Ancient Tea Villages, Sunset Glow & Starry Skies
Drive to Jingmai Mountain (approx. 3 hours from Jinghong). Wind through lush hills into the heart of Pu'er tea country, where misty peaks and ancient tea forests stretch to the horizon.
Wengji Bulang Ancient Village – Tea Cake Making & Sunset Viewing (2.5 hours): Step into a thousand-year-old Bulang ethnic settlement with mossy wooden houses and stone-paved lanes. Under local guidance, press your own tea cake (bingcha), then climb to the village viewpoint as the golden sunset spills over the ancient tea terraces – pure magic.
Bulang Cultural Experience (1 hour). Immerse yourself in the traditions of the Bulang people – listen to their ancient folk songs, learn about their sacred tea ceremonies, and hear legends passed down through generations.
Check in to a mountaintop guesthouse. As night falls, step outside and gaze up at a blanket of stars so bright you can almost touch them – the perfect end to a tranquil day. Overnight on Jingmai Mountain.
Thousand-Year Tea Forests, Sacred Bee Trees & Bamboo Tea
Thousand-Year Ancient Tea Forest (1.5 hours). Wander through Jingmai's legendary tea groves, where some trees are over 1,000 years old – their twisted trunks and emerald leaves have witnessed dynasties rise and fall.
Bee King Tree (45 minutes). Visit a sacred giant tree that hosts hundreds of wild beehives hanging from its branches – the Bulang people believe it brings good fortune, and the constant hum of bees sounds like nature's own prayer.
Nuogan Dai Village – Bamboo-tube Tea Experience (1.5 hours). Visit a traditional Dai village and make your own bamboo-tube tea – roast fresh tea leaves inside bamboo sections over an open fire, releasing a smoky, earthy aroma that fills the air.
Return to your mountaintop guesthouse. Enjoy another unforgettable evening of stargazing – the Milky Way sprawls overhead like a silver river. Overnight on Jingmai Mountain.
Tea Horse Trail Crafts & High-Speed Return to Kunming
Nakeli Tea Horse Road Post Station – DIY Horse-bell Craft (2 hours): Explore this beautifully preserved stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road – walk through old stables, caravan relics, and cobblestone courtyards. Then roll up your sleeves for a hands-on DIY session, crafting your own bronze horse bell – a traditional lucky charm for travellers.
Lunch & transfer to the railway station. Enjoy a hearty local meal before boarding the high-speed train back to Kunming (approx. 3.5 hours).
Arrive in Kunming and check into your hotel. Rest or take a final evening stroll through the "Spring City". Overnight in Kunming.
Farewell from Kunming
Transfer to Kunming Changshui International Airport according to your flight schedule – carry with you the tastes of ancient tea, the sounds of jungle waterfalls, and the warmth of Bulang hospitality. Until next time, Yunnan awaits.
What is in the priceAnd what is not. We would rather you knew now.
✓Included
- 7 nights: four-star hotels in Kunming and Jinghong, two nights in a mountaintop guesthouse on Jingmai
- Breakfast daily, plus lunch and dinner on days 2–7 as listed
- Private vehicle and driver throughout, including the Jingmai mountain road
- High-speed train Kunming–Xishuangbanna, both ways
- Entrance fees to every site named in the itinerary
- Local guides throughout — we confirm the guide language when we quote
- Yunnan travel insurance
−Not included
- International flights to and from China
- Chinese visa fees
- Meals not listed above
- Personal expenses and optional activities
- Single supplement, if you ask for a private room
- Tips to guides and drivers (optional)
Prices depend on dates, party size and the hotels you choose, so we quote per trip rather than publish a number that would be wrong. Send us your dates and we will come back with one figure — in writing, with the hotels named.
PracticalThe things people ask before booking.
Tell us the dates. We will send this route back priced, with the hotels named.
Everything here is a starting point — we cut days, add nights, swap hotels and change the order of cities all the time. Rebecca answers in English, usually within a few hours.
