Ruili

A China–Myanmar border port city, with “One Village, Two Countries” and Jiegao, the Moli rainforest waterfall, the Dai Water-Splashing Festival and a taste of Myanmar.

Ruili lies in the southwest of Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan, bordered by Myanmar on three sides, with the Ruili River flowing through its basin. It is China's largest land port with Myanmar and home to Dai and Jingpo communities; Burmese people and goods are a common sight on the streets, and the city is famous for its jade and gem trade. Areas to explore: downtown has Jewelry Street, Nongmo Lake Park and Nanmao Lake; about 4 km southeast, Jiegao is a port zone that is “inside the border but outside customs,” where you can see the national gate and the Tianya Dijiao boundary marker, and Jiegao Jade City and the port shopping malls sell jade and Burmese goods. About 10 km southwest, Yinjing Village is the famous “One Village, Two Countries,” with Hansazhuang Temple and the Dai village of Dadenghan nearby; farther on, Nongdao Town has the site of the wartime Loiwing aircraft factory. To the northeast are the Jiele Golden Pagoda, the “One-Tree Forest” and the Moli Tropical Rainforest waterfall. About 30 km east, Wanding is a historic town of the Burma Road and the Nanyang Overseas Chinese mechanics. About 85 km away, the prefecture capital Mangshi has the Menghuan Great Golden Pagoda and the Tree-Embraced Pagoda. The best time is the dry season from Nov to Apr, when it's warm; the Water-Splashing Festival in mid-April is the liveliest time. The May–Oct rainy season is hot, humid and wet, but the rainforest waterfall is at its fullest. Getting there: Mangshi Airport is about 1.5 hours by road from Ruili, and a Dali–Ruili railway is under construction. Plan 2–3 days. Bring your ID card to enter the port zone; crossing into Myanmar requires a passport or border pass. Buy jade only from reputable dealers and ask for an appraisal certificate — don't follow strangers offering “bargains.”

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries