Live Your Best Lives
"Where is Mangshi?"
This is the question I'm most often asked after I announced my trip to Mangshi. It's hard to imagine this small, exotic Southeast Asian city located in Yunnan, China, but its location on the China-Myanmar border makes sense. As a border enthusiast, places like this always hold an endless allure for me.
On New Year's Day 2021, I started the year traveling and spent 24 hours alone in Mangshi. The winter temperature in Mangshi is incredibly comfortable, and you can even wear short sleeves at noon. The sun is abundant, coconut trees are everywhere, and the pace is slow, making it feel like you've traveled abroad. But familiar scenes always bring me back to reality. In Mangshi, I felt the true meaning of a peaceful and tranquil life. Time passes slowly, and Mangshi is not busy.
Mangshicheck the details
Mangshi, called "Menghuan" in Dai language, is the capital of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China. [1] It is located between 98°05′-98°44′ east longitude and 24°05′-24°39′ north latitude. It is about 71 kilometers long from east to west and about 62 kilometers wide from north to south, with a total area of 2,987 square kilometers. It borders Longling County to the east and northeast, Ruili City to the southwest, Lianghe County and Longchuan County to the west and northwest across the Longchuan River, and borders the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the south, with a border line of 68.3 kilometers. It is a transportation hub leading to Ruili, Longchuan, Yingjiang and Lianghe, and is also an important gateway for China to South Asia and Southeast Asia.
6988 recommendations, 4794 visits
Mangshi, located in western Yunnan Province, is a multi-ethnic city and the only city in China with a single character. P.S. There are quite a few counties in China with single characters, such as Shaxian and Peixian... (I initially thought there were only a few, but a quick search online revealed 98. Here's a table for you to share your knowledge.)
Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province is abbreviated as "Dehong." "Dehong" is a Dai word meaning "the lower reaches of the Nu River." Mangshi is the capital of Dehong Prefecture. Many things in Mangshi begin with "Menghuan," the Dai name for Mangshi. Legend has it that the Buddha arrived at dawn, giving the area the name "Menghuan," meaning "City of Dawn."
Nearly half of Mangshi's total population is ethnic minority, primarily Dai and Jingpo, but also including De'ang, Lisu, and Achang. Mangshi was designated a National Sanitary City a long time ago, and the streets are incredibly clean, making walking around the city a truly delightful experience.
Due to weekend free flights restrictions, I stayed in Mangshi for 24 hours. Initially, I worried about the time constraints, but it turned out to be more than enough. Mangshi is so small! Almost everything you want to see in the city is within walking distance. If you're serious about exploring, 12 hours might be enough, but 24 hours is surprisingly ample, allowing you to slow down and savor the city.
Tips for departure from Shanghai:
🔸When traveling in the winter and spring seasons of the Northern Hemisphere, it is recommended to sit on the right side of the way to avoid the sun. The left side will have sunshine throughout the journey, but you can see the Shwedagon Pagoda when descending.
🔸The return time is in the evening, and you may see the sunset on the left
🔸The flight time of FreeFly departing from Shanghai is super good. The occupancy rate for New Year's Day travel is only more than half. Compared with other popular destinations in Yunnan (Xishuangbanna/Dali/Lijiang/Kunming), it is still easier to exchange tickets. Friends who have FreeFly don't miss this golden destination. Exchange and cherish it!
▲The Golden and Silver Pagodas and the small town of Mangshi seen from the plane
Cities with navigable routes to Mangshi:
Yunnan Province: Kunming, Dali, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Lancang;
Outside Yunnan Province: Shanghai, Jieyang, Nanjing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Zunyi, Guangzhou, Changsha;
There are also many stopover routes such as Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing; the routes are quite rich.
Land transportation:
Mangshi’s land transportation is not so lucky. There is currently no railway station in Mangshi, and it can only be transported by road. It takes more than four hours to get there from Dali, three and a half hours from Tengchong, and twelve hours from Kunming.
How can you deeply experience a small city in 24 hours? Here’s the answer.
Day 1: Shwedagon Pagoda - Silver Pagoda - Dream Dehong - Mangshi Square - Pig Tail
It gets dark in Mangshi at 7 o'clock. After landing at 4 o'clock, you can go to the hotel to put your luggage. I only had a backpack, so I went straight to the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Silver Pagoda. There was no need to rush and there was plenty of time. After watching the sunset and the night view of the city, I went down the mountain and had a local specialty pilaf dinner at Dreamy Dehong. Then you can take a walk in Mangshi Square and see the local people's nightlife. If you have a big stomach, you can go to the Pig Tail restaurant highly recommended by the locals to have a barbecue supper.
Day 2: Lin's Dumplings - Tree-wrapped Pagoda - Best Food - Mangshi First Comprehensive Market - Plum Coffee - Shumu Laotian Iced Coffee
The second day was spent foraging and strolling. Mangshi doesn't have many attractions, so the Golden and Silver Pagodas were the highlight of the first day. Strolling was a great way to digest the food, so it was still a very relaxing day. We started the day at the bustling Yuanzi Rice Noodle Shop, then wandered over to the Shubao Pagoda to see this seemingly abandoned attraction. Then, we rushed to Best Food to order a table of local snacks. Afterwards, we wandered around the First Market, where many locals were selling goods at street vendors. We then found a great cafe to relax and bask in the sun, offering a view of the Golden Pagoda. Before heading to the airport, don't forget to pick up a bag of Laotian iced coffee. Only those who have tried it in the midday sun will understand how refreshing it is! Now that I'm back from Mangshi, I think back on this seemingly brief itinerary and I wouldn't get tired of it even if I had to relive it again.
| Leiya makes the mountaintop look exotic
As mentioned earlier, "Menghuan" is the Dai name of Mangshi, so this place is also called the Mangshi Golden Pagoda. It is located on the top of Leiyarang Mountain on the shore of Peacock Lake in the southeast of Mangshi. You can see this pagoda when you look up from many places in Mangshi. It looks very beautiful with its golden glow.
This tower is the first hollow Buddhist pagoda in Asia. It was also the most frequently appearing tourist attraction when I searched for information before coming to Mangshi. Everyone regards it as the cover of Mangshi, which shows its status.
I thought I had seen too many photos of the Shwedagon Pagoda, but I was still shocked when I arrived in front of the pagoda - it was so spectacular and exotic!
I stared at the distant pagoda for a long time. It was almost dusk, but the sunlight was still strong, making the pagoda look particularly three-dimensional, and the reflected sunlight was even a little dazzling. The contrast between the clear blue sky and the bright pagoda in the sunlight was extremely beautiful.
To enter the Golden Pagoda, you have to climb a short flight of stairs. On both sides of the stairs are various Buddhist sculptures, including five dragons, elephants, and a row of monks.
I didn't buy a ticket to go inside the Shwedagon Pagoda because I had planned to go to the Silver Pagoda to watch the sunset, and I was worried I wouldn't have enough time to see it (though I had plenty of time). I walked around the outside of the pagoda and was able to peek inside through the fence (you have to buy a ticket to see the Silver Pagoda).
Despite being the New Year’s Day holiday, there weren’t too many people in Mangshi’s “most popular” scenic spots. There were only a few tourists and no hustle and bustle. My first impression of Mangshi was particularly comfortable.
The Golden Pagoda is only a 5-minute walk from the Silver Pagoda. Part of this road is a commercial street and part is a parking lot. The commercial street sells a variety of fruit snacks and tourist souvenirs at reasonable prices.
The Golden Pagoda is open until very late. When the lights are on at night, it is filled with tranquility, which is a completely different feeling from the daytime.
Tips:
📍Menghuan Shwedagon Pagoda
Tickets: 40 yuan (discounts available online)
Opening hours: 8:00-22:00
Transportation: There is no public transportation, so you can only climb up on foot or take a taxi. A Didi taxi from the city costs 10-15 yuan. If it is dark on the return trip, it is also recommended to take a taxi down the mountain.
Duration: 1 hour
| Chasing a sunset amidst the sound of silver bells
The Silver Pagoda is a good place to watch the sunset and overlook the city of Mangshi. The scenic area is relatively large, so it is recommended to visit the Golden Pagoda first and then go to the Silver Pagoda to wait for the sunset.
There is a sightseeing train that costs 10 yuan to go to the top of the mountain. It only takes 5 minutes to climb up, so there is no need to take it. There is a sculpture landscape at the foot of the mountain, and the big silver tower is located at the highest point of the mountain.
If I told you the Silver Pagoda has almost no history, would you be disappointed? Actually, the Silver Pagoda scenic area only started construction in 2010 and was completed and opened to the public in 2019. Its history is indeed very short, but believe me, you will definitely not care about its past when you come here, because it is really beautiful!
You can overlook the Shwedagon Pagoda from the Silver Pagoda Scenic Area.
The Silver Pagoda is solid and cannot be entered, so it can only be viewed from the outside. The tower has a symmetrical beauty. Wind chimes are hung on each spire, and the wind makes a pleasant sound.
In front of the Silver Pagoda is a flower bed and a gravel road. There are some artificial flowers in the flower bed that are actually lights. They look very beautiful when they light up at night. The Silver Pagoda itself also lights up at night, but the lights are a bit dull, so I prefer the changes in light and shadow during the day.
On the back of the Silver Pagoda, there are some internet-famous photo-taking spots, including the internet-famous moon and sky realm that can be climbed, and an internet-famous ladder leading to the sky. For 10 yuan per person, you can have access to all the internet-famous check-in spots, and the staff will also help you take photos for free.
Compared with the historic Golden Pagoda, the Silver Pagoda Scenic Area does much more business and has also launched a national costume photo service. The young ladies and gentlemen look really good in Dai costumes. Coupled with the exotic style of the Silver Pagoda Scenic Area, it feels like you have traveled abroad.
▲ Peacock Lake at sunset
Mangshi is known as the hometown of peacocks, and it was once the habitat of green peacocks.
The Silver Pagoda Scenic Area has a large viewing platform overlooking the panoramic view of Mangshi. I have to sigh that the scenic area built later was really well considered.
Tips:
📍Menghuan Silver Pagoda
Tickets: 40 yuan (discounts available for online purchases)
Opening hours: 8:30-21:30
Transportation: Same as Shwedagon Pagoda
Duration: 1 hour
Two hundred years of entanglement
The Tree-wrapped Pagoda is a completely open-air attraction, located on a one-way road. It’s a bit of a stretch to call it an attraction, as it’s just a tower surrounded by a large banyan tree. The large area around it is now a parking lot, which looks a bit messy. However, such a wild attraction actually won my heart - you can almost always be the only tourist there.
There are many discussions on the Internet about "which came first, the tree or the tower?" I specially checked the historical materials and the conclusion is that the tower came first.
This Dai-style pagoda was built by the chieftain of Mangshi more than 200 years ago to commemorate the victory of a war. Later, a banyan seed accidentally fell here, and the pagoda was gradually wrapped by the banyan tree. This banyan tree is more than 200 years old and has grown very lushly, blocking out the sun.
There are four statues of strange beasts "Gado" and four small towers around the tower, which are protected by rusty fences.
I learned from the old version of Lonely Planet that this used to be a tourist attraction with a 5 yuan fee and a gate. Now there is no trace of the gate. It may have been destroyed by demolition. Only the tree-wrapped tower remains in this large square, which looks a bit lonely and desolate. It is unknown how long this attraction can be preserved.
Tips:
📍Tree Tower
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
Address: North of Best Food, on Baopaw Road
| This place owes me a Songkran Festival
I came to Mangshi Square mainly to digest my food after dinner and also to see the "Big Golden Gate" here. The sunshine is really the best foil for everything. The green trees are shady here, and the automatic watering device on the lawn is working non-stop. The environment is particularly beautiful.
The square is large and spacious, with some children playing and some people exercising, creating a peaceful atmosphere. In the middle of the square is a building called the China-Myanmar Friendship Hall, but it doesn't seem to be open to the public.
The square may seem a bit empty now, but during the Dai New Year (around April 12th every year), it will become the center of the Water Splashing Festival carnival!
It is said that the first three days of the festival are the most lively, while the next four days are mainly for young people who are still reluctant to leave.
| The simple and unpretentious daily life of local people
Mangshi’s first comprehensive market is under renovation and cannot be entered, but the surrounding area is particularly fun to visit. There are many small alleys that wind around and around, and stalls selling things are lined up all the way, like a small bazaar. The market is a good place to peek into the lives of local people.
There are a lot of fruits in Mangshi. It might be great to see a wide variety of fruit stalls in such a tropical place.
There are many stalls selling baked baba along the way, which are wrapped in large bamboo leaves and are full of Yunnan local characteristics.
| Taste memories of a ten-year-old restaurant
When you come to Mangshi, you must take a morning to eat Lin’s dumplings. It’s not only about tasting the flavor, but also about having an experience.
A small bowl of rice dumpling noodles (￥8), a serving of egg dumplings (￥7), and unlimited kimchi (￥0), the light taste is really satisfying.
Lin's Yuanzi is a ten-year-old restaurant and is well-known locally. Most of the customers who come here to eat there are locals with their families. There are two branches in Mangshi. The main branch is located on Baopao Road. I recommend this one.
One area in the main store is used to make rice dumplings and rice noodles, another area is used to make shuangbaba, and another area is used to make milk tea and other beverages. The division of labor is very detailed; the store is full of the flavor of the old times and the atmosphere of fireworks.
The menu is also very simple, just a piece of A4 printed paper, and the price is very affordable, considering that these are meatballs~
During breakfast time, the restaurant is basically full and tables have to be shared. The waiters are simply too busy to handle it, but they can clearly remember what everyone ordered and deliver it to you correctly after making it. It's amazing!
The condiments table here is also very rich, so those who like strong tastes don’t have to worry about it being too light. No matter what flavor you prefer, you can always get the taste you like.
What impressed me most about this place was the yuanzi (Chinese dumplings). They were very mini, a bit like beef tendon balls, very chewy, and filled your mouth with juicy meat. It felt very natural and had no additives. I even think they were as good as the beef balls I had in Shantou. The small portion of rice noodles was huge, and I couldn't finish it all by myself. It was very refreshing and slippery, with a different texture from rice noodles.
I'm not sure if this is a Yunnan specialty. The waiter expertly tosses the dough, then adds the egg, deep-fries it, and then cuts it into pieces and drizzles it with condensed milk. The aroma is exuding, the crispy exterior complementing the fragrant fried egg, and the condensed milk is the perfect finishing touch. However, I personally found it a bit too sweet by the end, and it felt a bit odd paired with rice dumplings and rice noodles. A more recommended pairing would be baba with iced coffee; the sweetness needs to be balanced by the bitterness.
In short, this local old store full of fireworks is a must-visit when you come to Mangshi. You can feel the daily life of the locals and you have no resistance to such places.
Tips:
📍Lin's dumplings
Per person: 15 yuan
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 6:30 PM - 1:00 AM
Address: Near No. 149 Baobo Road
| A bowl of pilaf with pao ruta
Dream Dehong is a restaurant with a great environment. I didn't expect to find such a nice restaurant in Mangshi. The menu is very rich, with everything from local specialties to Western dishes. The service is also superb. No wonder this restaurant is always ranked first on a certain rating website.
A must-try when visiting Mangshi is zhulafan (shouzhafan). A large plate costs 25 yuan and includes three types of rice, commonly known as "three-color, three-flavor rice." The golden top layer is the soft, sweet stewed pumpkin. Surrounding the rice are a variety of side dishes, including sausage, bacon, chicken, dried fish, beans, celery, and watercress.
It is said that Paoruda was originally a dessert in Myanmar and later spread to Mangshi. It is very beautiful, with rich coconut milk soaked with dry bread, shredded coconut, coconut meat, pearls, blood glutinous rice, etc. It is so refreshing in the summer.
The lemon kohlrabi, dry fried rice, and garlic chicken feet here are also highly recommended, so remember to try them.
Tips:
📍Dream Dehong
Per person: 50 yuan
Opening hours: 11:00 - 20:30
Address: No. 46 Baobo Road (very close to Lin's Yuanzi main store)
| A gathering place for delicious food
The name of Best is very special. It is actually a food gathering place located in the central area of Mang City. It is not the kind of food gathering place that exists in every city and is specifically for outsiders. Locals also love to come here. The food here is really delicious!
Gan Ying's pickled chicken feet come in a variety of flavors: Tom Yum Goong, passion fruit, garlic, ketchup, pickled pepper, and sauce. They're 2 yuan each, and those who've tried it recommend not ordering too much because it's too spicy! They also offer vacuum packaging for takeout.
There is also a juice window in the store. The one that is highly recommended online is the avocado milkshake, which costs ￥20 a cup and is truly delicious.
The rich avocado flavor, with the addition of condensed milk, makes it full of milky flavor. The taste is very rich and it makes you feel full after drinking it. Even friends who don’t eat avocado can give it a try. You may discover a new world. The icy chicken feet are also very good at relieving the spiciness.
| A magical cafe built in an abandoned building
Dehong Prefecture was named China's Coffee Town in 2010. Meizi Coffee is a fantastic handmade coffee workshop in Mangshi City. It's become quite popular online and well-known among tourists, but what's even more commendable is that they've always maintained their original intention and made coffee with dedication.
Plum Coffee is located in a ruined building, spanning three floors. It's a spacious place with seating both indoors and outdoors, and plenty of sunlight. The terrace is planted with greenery, and you can see the Shwedagon Pagoda in the distance. It's a perfect place to relax with a cup of coffee.
The balcony on the third floor is the most recommended. It is full of green plants and looks particularly beautiful in the sun. It is also very photogenic. The balcony faces the road covered with coconut trees on one side and the Golden and Silver Pagodas on the other side, which is a quiet place in the bustling city.
【Recommended drinks】
✔️Iced Latte S￥25 It is said that the milk used is local Xuelan milk from Yunnan, which has a strong milk flavor and is a big hit in the store
✔️Black Beauty Winter Edition￥30 Special drink, an alcoholic coffee, added with plum wine, brown sugar and ice drop, and a green plum with an endless aftertaste. The flavor is very unique, easy to sell out, and hard to drink
✔️Tamarind ￥25 Coffee special, added with cascara tea, honey, lemon and sparkling water. It no longer has much coffee taste, more like fruit tea. It looks very good and is especially refreshing to drink in hot weather. This is the one I ordered
✔️Litchi Orchid Ice Drop ￥36 Limited Edition, even harder to get, it is said to be a very special one, the name is very attractive, with a wine aroma, I feel like I might go back to Mangshi for this coffee
In addition to coffee, there are also some caffeine-free drinks, such as lemon soda, milk, coconut water, etc. Desserts include sandwiches, coffee bean cookies, vanilla ice cream, honey/ice cream toast, so it is no problem to have afternoon tea here.
There are also many varieties of coffee beans for sale, as well as beans produced in Chuxiong, Yunnan. The prices are quite reasonable. If you are interested, you can take some away.
Tips:
📍Plum coffee
Address: No. 119-15 Tuanjie Street
Note: This shop cannot be found on Baidu Maps. You can refer to the location of DZDP or search for Heart to Heart Cake (Tuanjie Street Store). Meizi is just across the street.
Opening hours: 9:00 - 21:30
| A bag of rich iced coffee under the scorching sun
This shop is on the way to the airport and is also a great shop. If you see someone carrying a drink like this on the road, it is most likely from this shop.
The shop is small, decorated in a very bourgeois style, with a great atmosphere. The menu is very limited, mainly consisting of a few drinks and snacks. Each one is delicious, including Laotian iced coffee, Thai green milk tea, Thai red milk tea, Thai lemon green tea, Thai lemon black tea, Thai cucumber juice, and Vietnamese rice noodle rolls.
📍Shumu Laotian Iced Coffee
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Address: No. 72 Guanglaliang Street (a short walk from here is the bus stop that goes directly to the airport)
There are actually quite a lot of accommodation options in Mangshi. Because it used to be a land bridge between China and Myanmar, many hotels have been built here, and the prices are very affordable. I personally recommend accommodation near Mangshi Square, where you can almost walk to various delicious and fun places.
But you don’t have to worry too much, because Mangshi is so small, so it is very convenient to go anywhere. If you see some interesting alleys, be sure to go in and take a look. You may discover another beautiful side of Mangshi.
In just 24 hours in Mangshi, I felt like I was transported to Thailand or Myanmar—a welcome surprise during the pandemic, when travel was strictly prohibited. I enjoyed a wealth of simple yet delicious food and experienced the relaxed daily lives of the locals. This small city, with its clean streets and lack of commercial atmosphere, isn't a particularly well-known tourist destination, but it made me, as a traveler, feel incredibly comfortable and reluctant to leave.
I can hear the bustling crowd at Lin's Yuanzi with just my eyes closed, and the delicious Laotian iced coffee and Paoruda still linger on my tongue... Next time I want to relax and escape, and miss Southeast Asia, I will definitely return to Mangshi, drink a cup of plum coffee, go to the Silver Pagoda to watch a different sunset, and also go to see the Shwedagon Pagoda and experience the grand Dai Water Splashing Festival, and once again feel the unique charm of this small border town.
