Southern Yunnan

Southern Yunnan is in China.

Regions

• Xishuangbanna (西雙版納; Xīshuāngbǎnnà; also known as Banna) - tropical paradise, very popular with Chinese tourists, near the border with Laos
• Simao Prefecture, around the city of Pu'er

Cities

• Jinghong - the capital and main airport of Xishuangbanna (when booking a plane ticket, if there is no flight to Jinghong it may be listed as Xishuangbanna instead)

Get in

By plane

Lao Airlines flies from Wattay International Airport (IATA: JHG) to Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport (IATA: JHG) twice a week (Fridays and Sundays).

See

Honghe Hani rice terraces

• Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces - UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013

Do

Trekking in southern Xishuangbanna. There are a number of cafes in Jinghong where you can meet up with guides who will take you on treks to see old Dai and Bulan villages in Southern Yunnan. Cost varies, but plan on about ¥300 per person for a four day trek.

The treks are pretty easy, since you will be staying in villager's homes every night along the trail. There's no need to camp, and the terrain you'll be hiking over is hilly, but not mountainous.

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