Trip to Menglian

Here is a 5-day, 4-night in-depth travel guide for Menglian County designed for a budget under 5,000 RMB, blending Theravada Buddhist culture, borderland charm, and tropical secrets, taking you into the tranquil corner of southwest Yunnan.

🌿 Menglian · Border Town Buddhist Kingdom｜5 days 4 nights · Approx. 4600 RMB per person

📍 Destination: Menglian Dai, Lahu and Wa Autonomous County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province
⏰ Best season: December to April (dry season, pleasant climate, avoid rainy season landslides)

✅ Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Pu'er → Transfer to Menglian (about 4 hours)
Transport: Flight from Kunming to Pu'er (about 900 RMB), shuttle bus to Menglian (80 RMB)
Accommodation: Boutique guesthouse in Menglian County town (130 RMB/night)
Evening stroll along Nanlei River, enjoy Dai-style barbecue + beef stew soup

Day 2: Menglian Xuanfu Office + Great Golden Pagoda + Nayun Ancient Town slow life
Free visit to China’s last Tusi site — Menglian Xuanfu Office
Climb the Great Golden Pagoda to overlook the small town and the twin pagoda wonder
Have coffee and browse handmade shops in Nayun Ancient Town, feel the charm of the “Border Jiangnan”

Day 3: Mengma Town → Lafu Border Village (China-Myanmar border secret spot)
Chartered car round trip (300 RMB), visit Lahu ethnic villages
Walk the primitive forest trail, gaze towards the boundary marker, experience borderland tranquility
Taste Lahu sauerkraut chicken and wild honey

Day 4: Mangxin Town + Wengji Ancient Village day tour (Bronang ethnic thousand-year-old village)
Bus to Wengji (bus fare + entrance fee total 80 RMB)
Visit the thousand-year-old Bodhi tree, Bronang Buddhist temple, stay one night at an eco-inn (150 RMB)
Listen to insect sounds and star whispers at night, watch sea of clouds and Buddha’s light in the morning

Day 5: Return to Pu'er → Fly home
Bus back to Pu'er (70 RMB), take flight home

💰 Budget details (per person):
Round-trip flight: 900 RMB
Local transport: 600 RMB
Accommodation (4 nights): 500 RMB
Meals + entrance fees: 500 RMB
Snacks & souvenirs: 400 RMB
Emergency reserve: 700 RMB
Total: about 4600 RMB

📌 Tips: Menglian has simple and honest folk customs; respect ethnic minority beliefs; bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent; some villages have weak signal.

Jingmai Great Golden Pagoda Wengji Bronang Old Village Lahu Village Nayun Ancient Town
May you hear the echo of your heart in the Buddhist bell sounds of Menglian.