Origins of tea....🍵
by TheTravelShow
Feb 17, 2022
Here is a travel plan designed for Pu'er City, covering natural, cultural, and culinary experiences. It is suitable for a 3-4 day itinerary and can be adjusted flexibly according to your schedule:
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📅 Itinerary Overview
Theme: Tea Fragrance Secrets · Ethnic Customs · Natural Wonders
Recommended Season: All year round (tea picking in spring, summer retreat, sea of clouds viewing in autumn and winter)
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🌄 Daily Itinerary
Day 1: In-depth Tea Culture Experience
Morning
· China Pu'er Tea Expo Garden
· Visit the vast tea plantations, experience tea picking and processing, learn about Pu'er tea classification and brewing techniques.
· Climb the viewing platform to overlook the rolling tea mountains and take photos.
· Tea Horse Road Scenic Area (Pu'er section)
· Hike or horseback ride along a section of the ancient road, feel the history of the horse caravans, visit the ruins museum.
Afternoon
· Nakeli Tea Horse Post Station (30 minutes drive from downtown)
· Stroll through the ancient village, check in at the Wind and Rain Bridge and horse shop ruins, taste horse caravan cuisine (recommended: Shiping tofu, glutinous rice sausage).
· Experience handmade tea cake pressing and customize your own souvenir tea.
Evening
· Downtown tea restaurant or night market
· Recommended: Pu'er Sunshine Joy City Night Market, try sour bamboo shoot chicken, Dai-style barbecue, and Paoluda.
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Day 2: Natural Wonders and Ethnic Minority Customs
Morning
· Taiyang River National Forest Park (Red Panda Manor)
· Interact with wild animals like rhinos and red pandas, hike through the primeval forest, explore the tropical rainforest ecosystem.
Afternoon
· Nuogan Ancient Village / Wengji Ancient Village (Lancang County, 2.5 hours drive)
· A thousand-year-old village of the Bulang ethnic group, wooden stilt houses, experience "fireplace roasted tea," listen to elders tell the origin story of Pu'er tea.
· Alternative: If time is tight, visit Jingmai Mountain (overnight stay required, watch the sea of clouds sunrise the next day).
Evening
· Stay in an ancient village homestay, enjoy Bulang ethnic specialty dishes (tea leaf scrambled eggs, banana leaf wrapped grilled fish).
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Day 3: Coffee Plantation and Countryside Scenery
Morning
· Xiaoaozi Coffee Plantation or Tianyu Coffee Garden
· Learn about Pu'er coffee cultivation, experience hand drip coffee, taste single-origin beans with "distant mountain forest flavor."
Afternoon
· Meizi Lake Park
· Cycle or walk around the lake, climb to overlook Pu'er city, enjoy tea at the lakeside pavilion.
· Daijia Lane Ancient Architecture Cluster (downtown)
· Art cafes and tea houses converted from old Republic of China era residences, perfect for photos.
Evening
· Pu'er Tea Horse Ancient Town Tourist Village
· Watch ethnic song and dance performances, buy handicrafts (Dai brocade, black pottery).
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📌 Alternatives / In-depth Tour Recommendations
· Mojiang Tropic of Cancer Marker Park (1.5 hours drive): Twin wells, astronomy popular science.
· Menglian County: Nayun Ancient Town (Dai Tusi Mansion), Mengma Waterfall.
· Ximeng County: Longmoye Sacred Site (Wa ethnic ritual secret place), Muyiji Divine Valley.
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🍜 Must-Try Foods
· Staples: Chicken rice porridge (Wa ethnic), Niusa pie (Dai ethnic), bean soup rice noodles.
· Snacks: Sour duoyi fruit, cold mixed sour papaya, Sanjianjiao rice cakes.
· Drinks: Pu'er tea liquor, local small bean coffee.
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🚗 Transportation Suggestions
· Within city: Taxi or car rental (some attractions are remote, car hire recommended, e.g., Jingmai Mountain).
· Between counties: There are shuttle buses at bus stations, but car hire is more flexible (about 300-500 RMB/day).
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💡 Notes
1. Sun and mosquito protection: Strong UV and many mosquitoes in rainforest areas.
2. Respect customs: Avoid touching ritual items in ethnic minority villages.
3. Tea purchase: Buy from official shops, taste before choosing.
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Hope this plan helps you enjoy Pu'er to the fullest! If you need to adjust details or want to know more, feel free to let us know~ 🌿
Post by SofiaOjala | Aug 18, 2025





















