Wanding National Forest Park, Dehong

Chinese Name:瑞丽畹町国家森林公园
English Name: Wanding National Forest Park, Dehong

OVERVIEW | "The Green Gem of Southern Yunnan" ??

Wanding National Forest Park, established in 1988, is one of Yunnan’s first national forest parks. Located north of Wanding Town, Ruili City, Dehong Prefecture, it borders Myanmar just across a river. With a forest coverage rate of 60.8%, the park centers around the nation’s largest rare teak forest, integrating tropical rainforest, alpine lakes, wartime memories, and border customs. It is known as “A Living Treasure Trove of Flora and Fauna.”

LOCATION | Coordinates & Transportation ?️?

• Address: Benglongshan, Wanding Town, Ruili City, Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province

• 28 km from Ruili City, approx. 30 min by car

• 100 km from Mangshi Airport, approx. 1.5 h by car

• 800 m from Wanding Border Port, within walking distance of the “One Bridge, Two Countries” landmark

• Transportation options:

  1. High-speed rail (opening 2026): Exit at Wanding Station, direct access to the park

  2. Bus: Ruili Bus Station → Wanding Line, every 15 min, ticket ¥6

  3. Self-drive: Exit at Hangrui Expressway Wanding exit → Wanding town → park entrance (free parking)

ATTRACTIONS | Top 5 Highlights ?

• Largest Teak Forest in China:
  124.5 hectares of pristine teak, average tree age 70–100 years. Straight trunks, umbrella-like canopies, evergreen year-round, with peak negative oxygen ion counts of 40,000/cm³. ??

• Swan Lake:
  An alpine dammed lake covering 32,000 sqm, shrouded in mist at dawn. Home to black swans and ruddy shelducks; boating and fishing available. ??‍♂️

• Wanfo Temple:
  Founded in the Ming Dynasty, housing a Burmese jade Buddha statue 8.8 meters tall. Climb the temple for panoramic views of Wanding and the Sino-Myanmar mountains. ??

• Memorial to Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Fighters:
  Located at the park’s highest point, featuring a 16-meter monument and museum. Exhibits over 2,000 artifacts and 1,200 historic photos, serving as a core site for anti-Japanese war research in western Yunnan. ?️?

• Benglongshan Viewing Platform:
  At 980 meters elevation, offers 360° views of Wanding Basin, Ruili River, and Myanmar’s mountains. Ideal for shooting sunrise cloud seas and nighttime city lights. ?✨

ROUTES | Official Recommended Trails ?

• Forest Oxygen Bar Line (2 hours): Entrance → Teak Boardwalk → Swan Lake → Viewing Platform

• War History Study Line (3 hours): Entrance → Anti-Japanese Memorial Hall → Monument → Wanfo Temple

• Border Light Hiking Line (4 hours): Teak Forest → Stone Stair Ancient Trail → Benglongshan Ridge → Sino-Myanmar Border Marker Check-in

TICKET & OPENING HOURS ?️⏰

• Park Admission: ¥30 (students half price; free for children under 1.2 m and seniors over 70)

• Anti-Japanese Memorial Hall: Free (audio guide ¥10)

• Boating/Fishing: ¥30/hour (includes life jacket)

• Opening Hours: 08:30–18:00 (last entry at 17:30), open all year

ACCOMMODATION | Stay in the Forest ??️

FOOD & SOUVENIRS | Flavors & Gifts ?️?

• Dai-style Teakwood Roasted Chicken: Wrapped in teak leaves, slow-grilled over charcoal, fragrant and delicious ??

• Burmese Milk Tea + Shuai Baba (fried rice cake): Border night market staples, approx. ¥15 per person ??

• Souvenirs: Teakwood handcrafted coasters, anti-Japanese fighter commemorative badges, wild dendrobium flower tea ?☕

BEST TIME | Seasonal Highlights ??️

• November to April: Dry season, cool and crisp, peak migration birdwatching and photography season ??

• May to October: Rainforest lush and green, waterfalls at full flow—rain gear advised ☔?

• Festivals:

  • April Water-Splashing Festival: Dai ethnic joyful celebration with cross-border water splashing ??

  • September Anti-Japanese War Memorial Day: Official wreath laying, veteran storytelling sessions ?️?️

TRAVEL TIPS | Practical Advice ?

• Sun and rain protection: Strong subtropical UV—bring hats and raincoats ??

• Photography: Best sunrise views and cloud sea shots at Benglongshan Viewing Platform from 06:30–07:30 ??

• Border regulations: Viewing platform overlooks Myanmar villages; drones strictly prohibited from crossing borders ??

• Conservation: Teak trees are protected; no carving allowed. Carry out all trash ♻️

CALL TO ACTION ??

When the fragrance of teakwood meets the war bells ringing atop Benglongshan,
you'll hear the dialogue of 600 years of ancient post roads and 80 years of wartime fire. ??

Save this guide and share it with those who want to “breathe deep, see borders, and remember history.”
See you at Wanding National Forest Park in 2025! ?????