Ancient Tea Mountains of Xishuangbanna from Jinghong
Using Jinghong as a base, visit Nanuo Mountain, Hekai, Laobanzhang and Yiwu Ancient Town, linking the tea regions of eastern and western Xishuangbanna.
Designed for Pu'er tea lovers. Day 2 visits the ancient tea trees of Nanuo Mountain, with stops at Mandan Temple and the Octagonal Pavilion at Jingzhen along the way. Day 3 heads to Hekai's Manlong Old Village and Laobanzhang. Day 4 goes east to Yiwu Ancient Town, the starting point of the Tea Horse Road, and its old tea houses. The first and last days are in Jinghong city. Mountain roads are winding and round trips are long, so a chartered car is recommended. Spring tea season is the liveliest time to visit.
March and April are the busiest spring tea season. Rainy-season landslides can close tea mountain roads, so take care.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Jinghong & explore Gaozhuang
Xishuangbanna（Gaozhuang Xishuangjing & Starlight Night Market）
Take a taxi about 20 minutes from the airport to Jinghong. In the evening, stroll Gaozhuang Night Market and the tea shops.
Stay: Jinghong City Center (Water-Splashing Square Area)
Day 2 · Nanuo Mountain & Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion
Xishuangbanna（Nannuoshan Ancient Tea Gardens、Manduan Buddhist Temple、Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion）
Charter a car west to Nanuo Mountain, about 40 minutes. Visit temples around Menghai, about 1 hour, then return to Jinghong, about 1 hour, in the evening.
Stay: Jinghong City Center (Water-Splashing Square Area)
Day 3 · Hekai & Laobanzhang ancient tea gardens
Xishuangbanna（Hekai Ancient Tea Mountain (Mannong Old Village)、Laobanzhang Village）
Charter a car in the morning via Menghai to Hekai, about 2 hours, then continue to Laobanzhang, about 40 minutes. Return to Jinghong in the evening, about 2.5 hours.
Mountain roads are winding and may cause motion sickness. Be careful to check the quality when buying tea in the villages.
Stay: Jinghong City Center (Water-Splashing Square Area)
Day 4 · Yiwu Ancient Town & old tea houses
Xishuangbanna（Yiwu Ancient Tea Town）
Charter a car east to Yiwu in the morning, about 2.5 hours. Stroll the old town and tea houses, then return to Jinghong, about 2.5 hours.
This means two long mountain drives in a row. If you are tired, drop one day.
Stay: Jinghong City Center (Water-Splashing Square Area)
Day 5 · Zongfo Temple & Manting Park, then departure
Xishuangbanna（Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple (Wat Pa Jay)、Manting Park）
Take a taxi in the morning to Zongfo Temple and Manting Park, which are within walking distance of each other. Head to the airport in the afternoon, about 20 minutes.