Keep the summer of Yunnan in Mangshi

Dear friends, if you want to find a unique and charming place to vacation this summer, Mangshi is definitely the best choice! This small city in Yunnan is full of Southeast Asian style, with low prices and abundant food. Now, let me share a super detailed travel guide for Mangshi👇

📍Must-visit attractions

1. Menghuan Great Golden Pagoda: The landmark of Mangshi and Asia’s largest hollow Buddha pagoda. Tickets are 40 yuan, open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The golden shining pagoda is stunning. It’s recommended to visit at dusk when the sunset light shines on the pagoda, perfect for photos and offers a panoramic view of Mangshi.
2. Menghuan Silver Pagoda: Complementing the Great Golden Pagoda, tickets are 38 yuan, with the same opening hours. The pure white building feels very dreamy. Wearing light-colored clothes for photos makes you feel like you’re abroad.
3. Dai Ancient Town: Free! It restores the ancient Dai culture and features traditional stilt houses. During the day, you can visit intangible cultural heritage handicraft shops. At night, the town is brightly lit with ethnic song and dance performances and various delicious snacks, creating a great atmosphere.
4. Shubao Pagoda: A free attraction featuring a unique symbiosis of tree and pagoda. It’s magical and located in the city, so you can visit it conveniently.

🍜Must-try foods

1. Dai cuisine: Lemongrass grilled fish with crispy skin and tender meat infused with the unique aroma of lemongrass; pineapple purple rice, sweet and glutinous; and sour bamboo shoot fish stew, sour and spicy, very appetizing.
2. Specialty snacks: Don’t miss Paoluda, made with coconut milk, sago, purple rice, and crispy bread, sweet but not greasy; thick bean powder rice noodles, rich bean powder with smooth rice noodles, perfect for breakfast; Jingpo ghost chicken, sour and spicy with a distinctive flavor.
3. Barbecue: Mangshi barbecue is exceptional, including grilled brain, grilled tilapia, grilled chicken tendons, etc., paired with special dipping sauces that are fragrant, spicy, and addictive. Recommended to visit Mengbanaxi Food City, which offers specialty snacks during the day and a barbecue paradise at night.

🏠Accommodation recommendations

1. Mangshi Feihua Hot Spring Resort Hotel: Rated 4.6, Southeast Asian style, with river views and hot springs, suitable for family vacations. Located at No.1, Stilwell Wharf Tourism Resort Area, Zhefang Town.
2. Fanshi Hotel (Dai Ancient Town Branch): Rated 4.8, Dai garden style, located right in Dai Ancient Town, convenient for travel with an excellent experience. Address: No.1-C, Phase 1, Dai Ancient Town, East Ring Road.
3. Lanou Hotel (Mangshi Jinta Water Town Airport Branch): Rated 4.8, comfortable bedding, rich breakfast, close to Mengbanaxi Rare Garden and Shubao Pagoda, near Jinta Water Town.

🚗Transportation guide

1. External transportation: Mangshi has an airport with direct flights from many cities; you can also first arrive in Kunming and then transfer by plane or bus. Nearby cities can first reach Baoshan, then take a bus from Baoshan North Bus Station to Mangshi (about 2 hours, 66 yuan).
2. Internal transportation: Renting an electric scooter is the most convenient, about 30 yuan/day, easy to visit city attractions; shared bikes are also available but some uphill roads are challenging; taxis cost 10-15 yuan within the city, and for distant attractions, you can negotiate round-trip prices with drivers.

💡Travel tips

1. Mangshi has strong UV rays, so be sure to protect yourself with high-SPF sunscreen, sun hats, etc.
2. The rainy season is from May to October, remember to bring rain gear.
3. Some attractions like Menghuan Golden and Silver Pagodas offer discounted tickets (5-10 yuan off) if purchased in advance online.
4. Respect local customs, especially in religious places.

Friends, pack your bags and come to Mangshi to experience rich ethnic culture and a leisurely slow life!