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Nakoril is a remarkably well-preserved trading post on the ancient Tea Horse Road. It once served as a vital rest stop for caravans traveling between Yunnan and Tibet.

Walk its century-old cobblestone paths—trodden by generations of muleteers—and explore historical landmarks like the traditional covered bridge and the old Rongfa Horse Inn. These structures offer a tangible connection to the caravan culture and tea trade that defined the region for centuries.

The site illustrates how this legendary route facilitated not just commerce, but cultural exchange among ethnic groups. The atmosphere lets you imagine the echoes of horse bells and traders’ calls from a bygone era.

Easily accessible and with free admission, Nakoril provides a peaceful stop for travelers interested in this key chapter of Yunnan’s history.

Longmoye Holy Ground: Where Wa Spirits Dwell

Longmoye in Ximeng County is a sacred site of the Wa ethnic group. This ancient forest is known for the striking sight of countless cattle skulls hanging from its trees.

For the Wa people, this is holy ground for ancestral worship and communication with spirits. The skulls are sacred offerings that embody their animist beliefs and maintain harmony between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Walking through this forest offers a rare glimpse into one of China’s most distinctive indigenous religious traditions, preserved for generations. Towering trees, dappled light, and deep quiet create a powerful sense of entering another realm.

A visit of about one hour is recommended. Visitors should remain quiet and reverent to honor the site’s deep spiritual significance to the Wa community.

Lancang Weekend Market

Every weekend in Lancang, the local market comes alive as a vibrant showcase of ethnic life and culture—far more than just a place to shop. From Saturday afternoon through Sunday, this lively gathering offers an authentic glimpse into the traditions of the Lahu, Dai, Wa, and other local communities.

Stalls overflow with handmade textiles, embroidered clothing, bamboo crafts, and silver jewelry. Nearby, you’ll find fresh wild-foraged ingredients—herbs, mushrooms, berries, and honey. Follow the enticing scents to sizzling Lahu-style barbecue, fragrant Dai sticky rice, zesty Wa salads, and grilled snacks. Each bite tells a story of regional flavor.

Beyond commerce, the market serves as a social stage—a place where traditions are shared, stories exchanged, and connections flourish, all accompanied by folk music, laughter, and dance.

Menglian Xuanfu Official Manor: The Ancient Dai Royal Residence

The Menglian Xuanfu Official Manor is Yunnan’s best-preserved Dai ethnic ruling complex, with a history spanning over 600 years. As the former seat of hereditary Dao chieftains, it served as the political, judicial, and ceremonial heart of Menglian for centuries.

Nayun Old Town: The Last Royal Dai Capital on the Border

Nayun Old Town is China’s only surviving Dai royal city, nestled in the border town of Menglian, Yunnan. With over 700 years of history, it was the political and cultural heart of the Dai chieftain’s domain — a rare testament to Dai governance and urban planning.

Built across three hills — Upper, Middle, and Lower City — it follows a strict hierarchical layout. The Upper City housed the ruling family and the iconic Xuanfu Official Manor; the Middle City, officials; and the Lower City, commoners and trade. This layered structure remains remarkably intact.

Laodabao: The Living Stage of Lahu Music

Laodabao is a nationally celebrated Lahu ethnic village in Lancang County, renowned as the birthplace of the Lahu people’s musical heritage. This remote hamlet has produced an astonishing number of musicians — nearly every villager can sing and play traditional instruments.

The village gained fame for its original song “Happy Lahu”, a cultural sensation that brought widespread attention to Lahu artistry. Today, villagers perform authentic song-and-dance shows showcasing vibrant traditions, from rhythmic reed-pipe dances to soulful guitar melodies echoing through the hills.

Jingmai Mountain Heritage Exhibition Center

Discover the Jingmai Mountain Heritage Exhibition Center in Huimin Town, Yunnan, where the ancient tea forests of Jingmai—UNESCO-listed for their cultural value—come alive.

The building itself is a nod to tea, shaped like a bud with a roof patterned after tea leaves, blending modern steel with traditional Mianwa tiles for perfect harmony with nature.

Dazhai Gold Pagoda

The Jingmai Mountain Golden Pagoda is the iconic centerpiece of the “Old Tea Forests of Jingmai Mountain” UNESCO site. This community-funded landmark represents the local Dai people’s spirit and aspirations.

Located in Jingmai Village, its golden spire gleams against the surrounding green tea forests. For the best experience, visit in the early morning to witness a breathtaking spectacle: sunrise illuminating the pagoda above a rolling sea of clouds—most dramatic in winter.

Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forests

In 2023, Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er, Yunnan, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the world’s first dedicated to tea culture. This living masterpiece has been shaped by people and nature over nearly 2,000 years.

At its heart lies ancient ecological wisdom: “Understory Tea Cultivation.” Rather than clearing forests, the indigenous Blang and Dai people preserved tall trees for shade and grew tea beneath them. This layered ecosystem—tree, tea, and herb—needs no chemical pesticides, embodying a sustainable model of “forest-tea coexistence.”

Wengji Sunset Viewpoint

Perched on Jingmai Mountain, the Wengji Sunset Viewpoint is the best place to watch the sun set over ancient tea forests. From here, you’ll see breathtaking views of the UNESCO-recognized landscape—centuries-old tea trees, traditional villages, and rolling mountains blending into one harmonious scene.

This vista captures the 1,000-year cultural heritage of the Bulang and Dai people and their sustainable relationship with nature. As the sun descends, golden light transforms the mountains into something magical. Ancient trees cast long shadows, village rooftops glow warmly, and distant peaks fade into layers of blue and purple—a spectacular natural light show perfect for photography.

Nuogan Village: A Warm Dai Welcome in the Tea Mountains

Nuogan Village is a traditional Dai ethnic village on Jingmai Mountain, preserving authentic wooden stilted architecture defining Dai cultural heritage. The village exudes a warm atmosphere, where visitors are greeted with Dai hospitality.

The traditional architecture showcases elevated wooden structures keeping homes cool and dry in the subtropical climate. These crafted buildings, with distinctive sloping roofs and open spaces beneath, represent centuries of architectural wisdom adapted to mountain living.

Nuogan Village is ideal to experience authentic Dai culture, sample traditional Dai tea, and purchase quality tea directly from local farmers. The friendly villagers often share their tea-making knowledge and offer tastings of various tea varieties grown in the surrounding ancient tea forests.

Aileng Mountain Hiking

Aileng Mountain in Lancang County is a pristine rainforest hiking paradise at 2,358 meters elevation. This sacred peak holds deep significance for the Lahu ethnic people, who regard it as their holy mountain and dwelling place of protective spirits.

The mountain features a 12-kilometer ancient tea forest trail winding through virgin rainforest and centuries-old tea groves. The path takes approximately 40 minutes, offering an immersive experience in one of Yunnan’s most biodiverse ecosystems.

King Bee Tree: Home to Asia’s Largest Bee Colony

The King Bee Tree is a 500-year-old Tetrameles tree standing 60 meters tall. Its massive hollow trunk houses Asia’s largest wild bee colony, creating a remarkable natural ecosystem.

This ancient giant produces over 50 kilograms of wild honey annually. The Dai people revere it as the “Bee God,” honoring both the tree and its bee inhabitants as sacred forest guardians.

During a 20–30 minute visit, you can safely watch thousands of bees swarm in mesmerizing patterns around the tree’s openings—an awe-inspiring display of natural symbiosis. Local guides share stories about the tree’s cultural significance and traditional honey-harvesting practices.

Princess Banyan (Gongzhu Rong): A 300-Year Sacred Giant

The Princess Banyan is a magnificent 300-year-old tree revered as both a natural wonder and sacred site. Its vast canopy spans 2,000 square meters, creating the spectacular “one-tree forest” for which it’s famous.

The tree’s most enchanting feature is its countless aerial roots cascading down like a living curtain—the sight that inspired its poetic name. These roots grow into new trunks, forming an interconnected forest from a single ancient source.

The local Dai people hold the tree sacred and gather here for traditional blessings. Beneath its expansive canopy lies a cool, peaceful retreat where light filters through dense foliage, creating a natural cathedral.

Nanai Village: An Authentic Dai Hamlet in the Heart of Jingmai

A hidden gem among Jingmai’s ancient tea mountains, Nanai Village preserves authentic Dai life untouched by tourism. At 1,400 meters in misty highlands, it reveals how Dai communities have coexisted with surrounding tea forests for centuries.

Well-preserved wooden stilted houses, stone-paved lanes, and tropical gardens define the village. Unlike busier neighbors, Nanai retains a quiet, unhurried atmosphere — villagers tend tea gardens, prepare meals, and gather under ancient trees.

Manghong Village

Nestled in Jingmai, Manghong Village is a traditional Bulang settlement and one of the nine core villages of the UNESCO-listed Old Tea Forests. Quieter than its neighbors, it preserves a rustic charm where visitors can watch daily tea processing and immerse themselves in Bulang tea culture—used for friendship, worship, and marriage ceremonies.

The village layout, centered around a protective heart deity, showcases its cultural heritage. Highlights include the historic Qing-era Octagonal Pagoda, cloud sea vistas, and authentic rural life.

Perched at high elevation, Manghong is often cloaked in mist, making it a perfect spot to witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets over Jingmai Mountain.