Yunnan - Eine Rundreise von Kunming über Dehong nach Pu'er - Reiseplanung:
For the round trip from Kunming via the autonomous prefecture of Dehong to Pu'er nine days were planned. March is the most comfortable season to travel to the tropical part of the Yunnan Province.
Um möglichst wenig Zeit zu verlieren, erfolgte Anreise nach Kunming am späten Abend von Peking aus. Die Flugzeit beträgt etwa vier Stunden. Der Rückflug erfolgte von Pu'er nach Beijing.
Sowohl die Stadt Mangshi im autonomen Bezirk Dehong als auch die Stadt Pu'er sind ebenfalls am besten mit dem Flugzeug erreichbar.
Kunming, the capital city of the Yunnan Province:
The arrival in Kunming was late in the evening. Therefore, the Borrmann Hotel was the best choice, as it is located close to the airport. In addition, the onward flight to Mangshi was planned early in the morning. In order to make the most of the time in Kunming, I decided to visit the Dianchi Lake from the western mountains in the afternoon. The lake and the mountains can easily be reached from the airport by subway.
Die Gegend um die westlichen Berge, die auf Grund ihrer Form auch "Schlafende Buddha Berge" genannt werden, eignet sich hervorragend für einen ausgedehnten Frühlingsspaziergang.
In addition to traditional buildings and colorful corridors, there are also a few temples in the mountains. Unfortunately, due to the high humidity, the Dianchi Lake was almost invisible from above.
From the western mountains we headed towards the city center in the late afternoon. On the university campus and in the surrounding parks, many local children and young people were outside, wearing traditional clothes and using the spring days for a photo shooting.
The night markets are typical for southern China. Colorfully illuminated, they invite you to stroll and try things out. Local specialties and drinks from all over the world are offered everywhere. The ideal place to strengthen yourself with various small delicacies and to end the evening.
The next morning, the plane departed to Mangshi, the capital city of the autonomous prefecture of Dehong.
The Hotel Phalaka in Mangshi:
As starting point to visit the city of Mangshi, as well as to drive through the autonomous prefecture of Dehong, I have booked the Hotel Phalaka for three nights. The modern and luxuriously furnished hotel opened in 2020. The most important sights of the city can either be reached on foot or easily by taxi.
There are also numerous excellent restaurants in the close circumstance of the accommodation. The included breakfast buffet is large and international.
In the evening you can while away the time swimming or walking around the hotel complex. Small shops, cafés and restaurants can be found in the side streets.
Mangshi, the capital city of the autonomous prefecture of Dehong:
Arriving at the town square, things get lively. This is where people are meeting during the weekends passing the time with board games. In addition to card and board games, traditional games such as Majiang and Chinese chess are played as well.
Social entertainment is very popular across the country. When it gets dark, the games are packed away and people start dancing together.
The specialties of the Yunnan cuisine can best be enjoyed in the middle of the restaurant´s beautiful garden.
The next morning, we took a taxi to Mangshi's main attractions, the Golden and the Silver Pagoda.
On the way, it was a good idea to visit the tropical garden with its well worth seeing architecture.
Danach fuhren wir mit dem Taxi zum eigentlichen Highlight der Stadt - den beiden, auf einer Anhöhe gelegenen Pagoden.
The Golden and the Silver Pagoda of Mangshi:
Truly a magnificent view when you look up at the golden pagoda from in front of the stairs. Not only the size, but also the numerous decorations and the attention on the details makes this building special. Visiting this sight is a must when traveling in Mangshi.
Numerous other details can be discovered while going upstairs. Among othes, there are elephants, considered as sacred animals of Buddhism.
Once at the top, the pagoda shows itself in all its glory.
Not far from the Golden Pagoda, on another hill, is the Silver Pagoda.
A small, well-kept park leads directly to the pagoda, from where you can watch a magnificent sunset when the visibility is good.
A day trip thorugh the autonomous prefecture of Dehong:
Then we drove on to the border with Myanmar.
The special vehicles, which supply the trees along the roadside with water through artificial rain, are interesting to see.
Shortly afterwards, the border to Myanmar is reached, but due to the pandemic, it can only be crossed in exceptional cases.
Also near at the border city of Ruili, there is a Buddhist park that is located directly on the border fence with Myanmar. From a glass bridge, you get a great overview.
The settlement at the top right of the photo already belongs to Myanmar. Afterwards the driver took us back to the accommodation in Mangshi. On the way we had to endure a few controls related to the pandemic, so that we reached the hotel after dark.
Day tour from Mangshi to Tengchong:
In addition to blooming rapeseed fields, we also find a small strawberry plantation, where you can pick the fruity, fresh food for the road yourself.
A visit to the hot springs in the volcanically active area is planned for the afternoon. In the evening we continue to the old town of Tengchong, to our next accommodation.
Volcanic hot springs in Tengchong:
Arriving at the summit, at the hot springs, you can immediately see the additional benefit of the released energy. Here, with the help of the volcanic waste heat, eggs are boiled and sold to have a try.
The oldtown of Tengchong:
In the late afternoon we reached Tengchong, where I stayed at the Hetang Zhenmei Panoramic Holiday Inn hotel for the night. Not as luxurious as the Hotel Phalaka in Mangshi, but all the more lovingly furnished. Even a bathtub with connection to the hot spring is integrated in the room.
The breakfast is relatively simple and typically Chinese, but you get fresh Yunnan coffee in return.
If you like the Yunnan coffee, you can buy it directly at the hotel to take away.
The Tengchong Bird Sanctuary:
Unfortunately it was windy and cool that day, so the birds could only be seen from afar and mostly in flight.
Dann war die Zeit für den Weiterflug gekommen. Mit einer Gruppe von Frauen im traditionellen Gewand der Minderheiten flogen wir vom Flughafen in Mangshi weiter nach Pu'er.
Im Urwald von Pu'er:
Far away from the city, I have booked the hotel Red Panda Manor Pu'er gebucht. Die kleinen Bungalows mit eigener Terrasse und geräumigem Wohn- und Schlaf-Bereich liegen mitten im Urwald von Pu'er.
The restaurant is about a 15-minute walk or easily accessible by one of the electric shuttle buses.
There is a rich breakfast buffet as well as typical and good Yunnan cuisine for lunch and dinner.
In addition, the hotel offers numerous interesting activities, such as a nocturnal search for insects or traditional tea making process.
Furthermore, extensive, guided half-day or day tours through the jungle are on offer. These are approved at short notice in consultation with the local rangers. Unfortunately, we were denied access because of a nearby herd of elephants.
A wonderful view from the restaurant over the swamp landscape and over the tea plantations.
Vom Teeblatt zum Tee - Teepflücken in Pu´er:
With a basket and hat, we walking into the tea field to pick leaf by leaf. A tedious but relaxing activity.
In addition to tea, you can also find orange trees on the plantation. The tasty fruits may also be picked and eaten.
The freshly picked tea must now be boiled in order to achieve good pre-drying. The leaves must be constantly mixed well to avoid burning on the hot surface of the cooker.
The finished tea can be kept for up to 40 years and of course you can take it home with you.
If you are lucky, you can meet various birds and monkeys in the forest as well as the small, cute red pandas, which go their way relatively unimpressed by the visitors.
Unfortunately, after two days in the jungle, it was time to go back to the city. Having booked the flight to Beijing for early in the morning, I reserved the Mandy Boutique Hotel reserviert. Diese Unterkunft liegt direkt hinter der Startbahn des Flughafens von Pu'er.
Conclusion:
Die Rundreise von Kunming über Dehong nach Pu'er in Yunnan war geprägt von kulturellen Highlights und unvergesslichen Erfahrungen.
Neben dem bunten Treiben am Campus und auf dem Nachtmarkt in Kunming, imposanten, buddhistischen Bauwerken in Mangshi, spektakulärer Landschaft und Natur in Tengchong war auch die Erfahrung, den bekannten Pu'er Tee selbst herstellen zu können, etwas ganz Besonderes.
Those who like to travel a little off the main tourist routes will find what they are looking for in these places and for them this trip is an absolute recommendation.
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