Yunnan Puer Tea Travel Tips for New Six Ancient Puer Tea Mountains of Menghai in XishuangBanna
Itinerary Overview: West Line: Jinghong – Menghai – Bulang – Mengnan – Chala – Dalianglong – Nannuo Mountain – Banpo Ancient Village – Menghai – Jinghong (some routes involve hiking)/景洪－勐海－布朗－勐囡－查拉－大勐龙－南糯山－半坡古寨－勐海－景洪
Day 1: Jinghong – Menghai – Bulang Mountain/景洪－勐海－布朗山
- Morning: Take a bus from Jinghong to Menghai County (approximately 40 minutes).
- Transfer: There are two buses daily from Menghai to Bulang Mountain at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The 60 km mountain road takes about four hours, with bumpy dirt roads providing a “bone massage.”
- Accommodation: Stay at a basic guesthouse in the town of Bulang Mountain (10–20 RMB per bed). Explore local temples; the temples here are simpler compared to those in the Dai villages.
Day 2: Bulang Mountain – Bannan East – Mengnan/布朗山－班南东－勐囡
- Guided Trek: Arrange for a guide to traverse Bulang Mountain the day before.
- Morning: Depart early to enjoy scenic rural landscapes. Reach Bannan East, a Lahu village, in about two hours. Visitors can interact with locals and enjoy a cup of tea.
- Afternoon: Continue for over four hours to Mengnan Village, an Aini ethnic village by a river with terraced fields. Stay with the village head, who is hospitable and can prepare local dishes with wild vegetables and local wine.
- Waterfall Visit: If time permits, visit the Baizhang Rock waterfall near Mengnan, with a 170-meter drop. The best time to see a rainbow is around 10 AM the next morning.
Day 3: Mengnan – Manpo – Chala – Dalianglong/勐囡－曼坡－查拉－大勐龙
- Long Trek: Be prepared for a long day, approximately 7–8 hours, to reach Chala Village via mountain paths. The route passes through very poor villages; consider bringing stationery and candies for local children.
- Transport: Rent a tractor from Chala to Dalianglong. In Dalianglong Town, stay at a local inn.
Day 4: Dalianglong – Nannuo Mountain Banpo Ancient Village – Menghai – Jinghong/大勐龙－南糯山半坡古寨－勐海－景洪
- Morning: Take a chartered car from Dalianglong to Nannuo Mountain Banpo Ancient Village. Hike for about an hour to the ancient tea trees, walking through ancient tea gardens and tropical rainforest.
- Tea Experience: If the season is right, enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea, different from city-bought Pu’er tea.
- Evening: Return by chartered car to Menghai and then take a bus back to Jinghong.
Notes:
- Alternative Routes: If preparation is lacking, consider skipping the hiking routes. Explore ancient tea gardens around Bulang Mountain, then travel to Dalianglong or directly to Nannuo Mountain.
Outdoor Adventure Tips:
- Clothing:
- Temperature Variance: Daytime temperatures are around 30°C, while nighttime temperatures drop to about 10°C. Bring light fleece clothing for warmth.
- Food and Water:
- Supplies: Local households provide opportunities to buy water and food. Dining with local families is an option.
- Accommodation:
- Options: Bring a fleece sleeping bag for staying with local families or in guesthouses.
- Transportation:
- Local Transport: Short-distance travel is primarily by motorcycle. Consider hiring a jeep for parts of the journey to save time, though it may be more expensive.
- Travel Considerations:
- Non-Tourist Areas: The tea mountain areas are often non-touristy but scenic. Prepare for challenging transportation and accommodation conditions.
- Local Insights: Engage with local people for valuable information on tea customs and local culture. Staying with tea farmers provides unique insights and experiences.
- Tea Harvesting: Visit during the tea picking and processing period to see the process and taste fresh tea. Local teas, though not famous, are often high-quality and worth bringing back if available.
Enjoy your adventure exploring the Six Ancient Tea Mountains and immersing yourself in the rich tea culture of Yunnan!
