Live Your Best Lives
Drill a hole through the Earth's core and you could reach South America directly from China. The Amazon rainforest would be the first stop for countless people traveling to South America.
On this side of the globe, a place as famous as the Amazon rainforest lies on the western edge of Yunnan Province, my country. On the westernmost side of the Hengduan Mountains lies a renowned fault valley and a mountain range stretching over 500 kilometers, yet it's little known and rarely explored. This is Gaoligong, a veritable "Noah's Ark" for the world's flora and fauna.
As with the Amazon rainforest, the best way to experience Gaoligong is to stay in a top-notch hotel. During our 6-day, 5-night itinerary, we rotated between the incredibly hard-to-book Kang Teng Tented Camp (over 4,000 RMB per night), the Banyan Tree Tengchong Mayu Valley (over 5,000 RMB per night), and the Bodu Hot Spring Resort Inn (over 2,000 RMB per night). Let's take a look at Gaoligong and Tengchong! Book your wild and luxurious journey!
The Gaoligong Mountains span five dimensional zones, with an altitude drop of nearly 5,000 meters, from its highest point, Gawagapu Peak, at 5,128 meters, to its lowest point, Dayingjiang, at 210 meters. Administratively, the Gaoligong Mountains encompass Gongshan, Fugong, and Lushui in Nujiang Prefecture, as well as Tengchong County and Longyang District in Baoshan.
The extremely unique geographical location allows tens of thousands of species to thrive in Gaoligong, making it one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.
Gaoligong has a new species of gibbon, the Tianxing gibbon, which was not officially named until 2017, and the red-spotted warty newt, which has the aura of an ancient creature.
The area is also home to 28 species of amphibians, 48 species of reptiles, 300-500 species of birds, and over 1,600 species of insects. Even the ancients found it captivating. Xu Xiake, a great Ming Dynasty geographer, traveler, and writer, made two trips across Gaoligong Mountain, earning him the title of legend.
This place is home to countless creatures and serves as an ancient path for trade and cultural exchange. A peaceful night's sleep amidst the chirping of birds and insects would be truly delightful!
The camp is located on the edge of the Gaoligong Mountain forest. A 1,000-meter-long aerial plank road elevates 15 guest tents and five public spaces above the treetops, creating a secluded and secluded environment perfect for a short stay.
This is Vinetree's most iconic property, located just 5 kilometers from the southern boundary of the Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve. While it might seem small, it's packed with activities and amenities. There's a library and yoga room where you can relax with a cup of coffee and read. There are also activities like plant rubbings and floral paper making.
If you want to deeply cultivate your body and mind, don't miss the 108-square-meter Star Moon Bodhi Yoga platform in the camp. With lush green mountains on three sides, you can bathe in the warm sunshine, breathe in the fresh air with the fragrance of plants, and do every yoga move in the breeze. It is the best way to take care of your body.
This place is very suitable for hiking.
🏃♀Xu Xiake Route｜The official road traveled by the famous traveler Xu Xiake in the late Ming Dynasty is an important part of the famous Southern Silk Road.
🧗♂Gaoligong Mountain's "Most Beautiful Ridgeline" and "Biological Corridor" | This 16km beginner's hike will allow you to experience the diverse and magnificent Gaoligong Mountain.
🏃♂Nature Park Loop Hike | Led by a professional camp guide, this 2-3 hour hike traverses mainland China's first nature park, where you'll encounter the Skywalker gibbon, one of fewer than 150 species worldwide, and discover the rich diversity of Gaoligong's flora...
If you're too tired after hiking, what should you do? Then head straight to the ultimate relaxation hot springs.
Gaoligong is also home to the most hot springs in China, thanks to a rare cluster of modern volcanoes scattered along its western slopes. These volcanoes are located in Tengchong. Located at the intersection of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, Tengchong boasts 99 volcanoes and 88 hot springs within a 1,000 square kilometer radius, offering a truly unforgettable experience.
We at Yeshebang have specially arranged a light hike to the crater for everyone, climbing up the dormant extinct volcano, with professional guides and scientific researchers leading the team, so you can easily get knowledge about volcanic geography.
Come here and have a good night's sleep soaking in the hot springs!
Reference Price: 4,000+ per night
. Each room has its own private bath, offering a small but refined selection of rooms for ultimate privacy. Daily water is sourced from hot springs, and the large windows allow for views into the rooms. The spa is renowned. The hotel boasts three hot springs of varying temperatures and four outdoor mineral therapy pools. Adjacent to Angsana Hot Springs, guests can enjoy access to 39 of their outdoor hot spring pools.
Reference price: 3500+/room/night
This hotel, steeped in Chinese rural style, nestles against the backdrop of a mountainside. Nestled amidst the gurgling streams and lush greenery of Gaoligong Mountain, you'll find 50 acres of open-air garden hot springs and 23 natural carbonated hot spring pools. Separate from the guest rooms, the hot springs offer a beautiful setting and excellent privacy.
Meal price: 6500+/room
night⛲Designed by the famous international architect Kengo Kuma, all villas🏠room types start from 146㎡, with their own gardens and outdoor hot springs. The high-quality carbonated springs are paired with singing bowls for healing and very comfortable👍.
Reference price: 2000+/room/night
The hotel's design complements the stunning scenery, with volcanic hot springs nestled on the cliffside. The mountains, rivers, and flowing clouds create a sense of otherworldliness. The guest rooms are comprised of six villas, each boasting stunning views and a private hot spring pool. Soak in the hot springs while gazing at the stars and the sea of clouds, and sleep under the stars.
If hot springs are Tengchong’s “golden business card”, then ginkgo is definitely Tengchong’s “autumn haute couture”.
🍂Tengchong's Ginkgo Village has more than 3,000 ancient ginkgo trees. In autumn, walking on the path covered with ginkgo leaves, or "lying flat" in the courtyard and eating a ginkgo snack, it feels like being in a golden 👑 fairy tale world.
Ginkgo viewing schedule:
🔹 Basic color change: Early to late November
🔸 Golden peak: Mid-November to early December
🔸 Leaf drop: Early December to two weeks before mid-December
You can enjoy the ginkgo trees now! Let's celebrate this golden season together!
Heshun Ancient Town is a classic example of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture in China. Once a crucial stop on the ancient Southwest Silk Road, it served as a stopover for merchants and horse caravans traveling north and south, bringing a diverse blend of cultures. Today, Heshun Ancient Town retains its quaint charm, and you can visit in period costume for photos.
Tengchong is renowned for its shadow puppetry, where the delicate, exquisite puppets crafted by locals bring stories to life, leaving you breathtakingly captivated. Not only can you watch the performances, but you can also go behind the scenes, chat with the artisans, and paint the puppets yourself.
There is a very special wetland 12.5 kilometers away from Tengchong City. It belongs to the plateau volcanic barrier lake ecosystem. The aquatic plants are densely packed and their roots are intertwined, like small grass islands.
This autumn, join Xiaoxia in exploring Gaoligong and Tengchong, breathing in the air in the forest, and relaxing in the hot springs.
