This 11-day immersive journey takes you through the heart of South Yunnan, exploring its rich ethnic cultures, ancient tea heritage, and vibrant local markets. Starting in Kunming, the tour leads you through historic towns like Jianshui and Yuanyang, the spectacular Yuanyang Rice Terraces, and into the world of tea cultivation in Puer, Jingmai, and Menghai. Along the way, you’ll experience traditional ethnic markets, including those of the Hani, Akha, Wa, and Bulang people.

The tour offers a perfect balance of cultural exploration and scenic beauty, taking you through mountainous landscapes, ethnic villages, and lush tea gardens. Every day offers new discoveries — whether it’s wandering through ancient terraced fields, sampling local tea varieties, or interacting with local ethnic groups known for their traditional clothing, crafts, and ways of life.

This journey is perfect for those seeking to understand the depth of Yunnan’s ethnic diversity, tea culture, and rural traditions.

Tour Highlights

Yuanyang Rice Terraces:

• Explore the stunning Yuanyang Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with breathtaking views at Laohuzui and Bada. See how Hani farmers have shaped the land for centuries, creating one of the most famous landscapes in China.

Vibrant Ethnic Markets:

• Visit Zhuangxin Market in Kunming, where local ethnic minority groups display a variety of goods.

• Experience the lively Laomeng Market in Yuanyang, where Hani women in traditional clothing sell wild herbs, handicrafts, and local produce.

• Explore the Aini market in Menglian, where you’ll find Akha women wearing intricate headdresses and selling both homegrown goods and wild items.

• Visit the Wa people’s market in Laodabao, located on a mountain, where Wa women with red-topped hats actively trade tea and local produce.

Tea Culture in Puer, Jingmai, and Menghai:

• Learn about the ancient tea gardens in Jingmai, where Bulang people have cultivated Puer tea for generations.

• Visit Puer city, known for its tea markets and tea plantations.

• Explore the tea-making process and enjoy tea-tasting sessions in Menghai and Jingmai.

Ethnic Village Experiences:

• Visit Hani and Yi ethnic villages in Yuanyang, and see their unique cultural practices and traditional homes.

• Explore Dai villages in Menghai and Jinghong, where you can witness the traditional method of paper-making from tree bark.

Scenic Landscapes and Natural Beauty:

• Enjoy the panoramic views of the Yuanyang Rice Terraces and the lush tea gardens of Jingmai and Menghai.

• Explore the beautiful mountainous landscapes of South Yunnan, where lush greenery, tea plantations, and ancient ethnic villages make up the charming scenery.

Local Crafts and Handicrafts:

• Discover traditional handicrafts such as woven baskets, tea containers, and embellished clothing from various ethnic groups.

• Visit local artisans in the ethnic markets, where you can buy authentic souvenirs such as wooden carvings, handmade jewelry, and woven fabrics.

Cultural Immersion:

• Engage with the Akha, Wa, Hani, Bulang, and Dai communities, learning about their rich cultural heritage, traditional clothing, and unique languages.

• Attend local performances and witness the daily life of South Yunnan’s ethnic minorities.

Multi-Ethnic Market Experience in Menghun:

• Visit Menghun, where Dai, Lahu, Aini, Bulang, Ake, and Wa ethnic groups gather weekly for a colorful multi-ethnic market, offering a fascinating array of local goods, produce, and cultural items.

Day 1: Arrive in Kunming

Arrival: Upon arrival at Kunming Changshui International Airport, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel.

Leisure Time: Spend the day relaxing or exploring Green Lake Park or Kunming Flower Market.

Evening: Enjoy dinner featuring Yunnan specialties such as cross-bridge rice noodles and hotpot.

Accommodation: Overnight stay in Kunming.

Day 2: Kunming → Shilin → Jianshui

Morning:

• Visit Zhuangxin Market in Kunming. This lively local market showcases traditional handicrafts and fresh produce from local ethnic minorities.

• Market Tip: Early morning is the best time to capture the hustle and bustle, and explore stalls selling spices, tea, and local foods.

Afternoon:

• Shilin (Stone Forest): A UNESCO World Heritage site, where you will explore the limestone formations.

• Riding Tips: The road to Shilin is well-paved, but expect some winding terrain as you approach the site.

Evening: Continue to Jianshui.

• Explore Jianshui Ancient Town with its Confucius Temple and Twin Dragon Bridge.

Accommodation: Stay overnight in Jianshui.

Day 3: Jianshui → Yuanyang

Riding Distance: ~180 km

Estimated Riding Time: ~4 hrs

Road Conditions: Well-paved roads, with some winding mountain paths as you near Yuanyang.

Morning: Depart for Yuanyang.

• On the way, stop by local villages and experience life along the route.

Afternoon:

• Arrive in Yuanyang and check into your accommodation.

• Visit the Yuanyang Rice Terraces at Bada and Laohuzui, famous for their breathtaking views.

• Walk through the terraces and visit ethnic Hani villages to see their traditional agricultural practices.

Evening:

• Enjoy a sunset view of the rice terraces and explore local eateries offering Hani cuisine.

Accommodation: Overnight in Yuanyang.

Day 4: Yuanyang

Morning:

• Visit Ailao Mountain for panoramic views of the terraced fields.

Ethnic Market:

• Visit Laomeng Market, where Hani women in colorful traditional costumes gather to sell wild herbs, produce, and handicrafts.

Afternoon:

• Explore the local ethnic villages in the area and learn about the cultural significance of the rice terraces.

Evening: Return to Yuanyang Town for the evening.

Accommodation: Overnight in Yuanyang.

Day 5: Yuanyang → Yuanjiang → Puer

Riding Distance: ~220 km

Estimated Riding Time: ~5 hrs

Road Conditions: Well-maintained roads with some winding paths as you approach Puer.

Morning: Depart from Yuanyang to Yuanjiang, a small town where you can visit local ethnic markets showcasing the crafts and goods of the Dai and Yi people.

Afternoon:

• Continue your journey to Puer, a renowned tea-producing region.

• Visit local tea plantations and learn about the Puer tea production process.

Accommodation: Overnight in Puer.

Day 6: Puer → Menglian

Riding Distance: ~210 km

Estimated Riding Time: ~5 hrs

Road Conditions: Rural roads with some mountainous terrain.

Morning: Travel to Menglian, a town near the Burmese border.

Ethnic Market:

• Visit an Aini market in a small town near Menglian, where Akha women in traditional attire trade wild herbs, tea, and handicrafts.

• This lively market is colorful and exotic, with Akha women wearing headdresses and vibrant costumes.

Afternoon:

• Explore nearby Hani villages and experience the diverse ethnic harmony of the region.

Accommodation: Stay overnight in Menglian.

Day 7: Menglian → Laodabao → Jingmai

Riding Distance: ~180 km

Estimated Riding Time: ~4 hrs

Road Conditions: Narrow mountain roads with beautiful scenery.

Morning:

• Visit the Wa people’s market in Laodabao, located on a mountain.

• In the Wa market, you will see Wa women with big earrings and red-topped hats, actively trading tea, produce, and handmade crafts.

Afternoon:

• Drive to Jingmai Tea Mountain, an area famous for its ancient tea gardens and Bulang ethnic villages.

Accommodation: Stay overnight in Jingmai.

Day 8: Jingmai → Menghai

Riding Distance: ~40 km

Estimated Riding Time: ~1 hr

Road Conditions: Smooth, paved roads.

Morning:

• Visit Wengji Village and Mangjing Village, located in the Jingmai Tea Mountain region. These villages are home to the Bulang ethnic group, known for their traditional tea-making practices.

Afternoon:

• Drive to Menghai and visit the Zhanglang Bulang Ethnic Village.

• Explore Xiding Market where you can find ethnic goods and local tea.

Accommodation: Overnight stay in Menghai.

Day 9: Menghai → Jinghong

Riding Distance: ~100 km

Estimated Riding Time: ~2 hrs

Road Conditions: Paved roads.

Morning:

• Visit the Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion, located on the outskirts of Jinghong, to enjoy scenic views.

Ethnic Market:

• Visit Menghun, a small town where many ethnic minorities such as Dai, Lahu, Aini, Bulang, Ake, and Wa gather for the multi-ethnic Sunday market.

• The market is a colorful mix of ethnic costumes, traditional crafts, and local goods.

Afternoon:

• Visit a Dai village where tree bark paper is still produced using traditional methods, which was once used for writing Buddhist scriptures.

Accommodation: Transfer to Jinghong for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Jinghong

Morning: Visit local ethnic villages around Jinghong, including the Dai and Jingpo villages, to explore their cultural practices and tea cultivation methods.

Afternoon:

• Take a leisurely stroll in Jinghong City and explore local markets for more ethnic crafts and souvenirs.

Accommodation: Stay overnight in Jinghong.

Day 11: Departure from Jinghong

Morning:

• Transfer to Jinghong Airport for your return flight.

• If time permits, take a short walk around Jinghong, exploring local temples or enjoying a final Mekong River view.