Yunnan · Mang City
With a climate as warm as Asia’s, scenery not inferior to Southeast Asia, but with fewer people, cheaper prices, and easier access, Mang City is perfect for a few days of laid-back living.
Mang City, the capital of Dehong Prefecture in Yunnan Province, has a history dating back over 2,500 years as the ancient kingdom of Dianyue (Riding Elephant Kingdom). It borders Myanmar to the south, serving as a crucial gateway to South and Southeast Asia. 
It’s also the only city in China named with a single character. In the Dai language, it’s called “Meng Han,” meaning “City of Dawn,” named after the legend that Buddha arrived here just as dawn broke…
If you visit, you won’t be disappointed because:It exudes a strong exotic atmosphere, offering Southeast Asian vibes without leaving the country. Tall palm and banana trees shade temples and golden pagodas, making your friends think you’re in Thailand or Myanmar when you post photos on social media.
The happiness index is high, with festivals and celebrations almost every month. With a population of 440,000, nearly half are ethnic minorities, where you can join in the Water Splashing Festival’s revelry, the grandeur of the Manau Festival, or the joy of the Kabao Festival.
It’s recognized as a culinary city in Yunnan, where even Chen Xiaoching came to film. Authentic Southeast Asian snacks, incredibly cheap tropical fruits, and meals where you can eat until you’re full for just 30 RMB per person.
It’s warm all year round, with a slow pace of life. Some call it “Little Xishuangbanna,” others say it’s the best Southeast Asian substitute within China. But I believe it’s more comfortable than the noisy Southeast Asia, not a substitute for anywhere, but a destination worth visiting countless times.
Time moves slowly here, and Mang City is not in a rush, making it worth your while to stop and savor the experience! If you visit, don’t just skim the surface; live like a local, and enjoy the warm sunshine all year round.
Experience Southeast Asian Charm Without Leaving ChinaIn Mang City, you can enjoy ample sunshine, palm trees everywhere, the roar of motorbikes, and temples and pagodas lining the streets, truly giving off a Southeast Asian street scene.
The Meng Han Golden Pagoda, a landmark of Mang City, shines brightly at first glance. It’s Asia’s first hollow pagoda, where you can admire various statues and listen to Buddhist chants, enhancing the solemn atmosphere.
The Meng Han Silver Pagoda, adjacent to the Golden Pagoda, with its pure white body, is the largest Theravada Buddhist pagoda in the world. Although you can’t go inside, the symmetrical structure itself is a work of art, especially beautiful at sunset with wind chimes hanging from each pagoda tip.
The Tree-Encased Pagoda, known as the “Angkor Wat Tree Hole,” is enveloped by a 200-year-old Bodhi tree, with branches and leaves blocking out the sky. The pagoda stands boldly by the roadside, where people pray or simply pass by, showing how faith has integrated into daily life.
Wuyun Temple, the first temple in Mang City, houses the first bronze Buddha statue brought from Myanmar, “Pala Guo Meng.” Here, you can enjoy a peaceful afternoon with virtually no tourists.
Tuanjie Street, where a simple snapshot looks stunning with palm trees lining the road, motorbikes whizzing by, and colorful small houses, all giving off a strong summer vibe. You can enjoy a cup of bagged coffee while strolling and eating in the Sanke Shu Fashion Street, with planes flying overhead, giving you the illusion of being in a small Southeast Asian country.
Explore Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations Unlock places in Mang City that 90% of tourists miss! Beyond its exotic charm, Mang City is surrounded by mountains and rainforests, where trees grow freely and animals roam.
Mengbanaxi Rare Garden, known for its “rare, strange, ancient, and peculiar” attractions. Here, you’ll find precious timber, raw jade, free-roaming peacocks, and century-old flower gardens, like entering a “treasure cave.”
Heihe Laopo, despite its ominous name, offers enchanting pastoral scenery reminiscent of Switzerland. The constant mist makes it feel like a fairyland, and from the mountaintop, you can overlook the undulating grasslands, evoking the imagery of “wind blowing grass low, revealing cattle and sheep.”
Mori Waterfall, with its significant drop and swift currents, is quite spectacular. The surrounding forest remains lush all year, with dense banyan trees blocking out direct sunlight, creating a secluded paradise.
Pucai Ba, an original highland secret realm, the only highland herbaceous marshland in Mang City. Along the way, villagers herd their cattle and sheep, with streams flowing and wildflowers blooming everywhere. It’s ideal for camping, picnics, or simply lying down and relaxing. You can also visit Mulu Gun Tang, where lush grasslands and free-roaming horses and sheep provide fresh air.
Shangjingkan, a small Dai village where you can taste local delicacies like Pa Lu Da and rolled noodles. Notably, near the village stands a 460-year-old banyan tree, forming a forest on its own, which is quite majestic.
Live Like a Local in Mang CityMany residents here practice Buddhism, leading a tranquil, slow-paced life.
Soak in a Hot Spring: There are over 20 named hot springs in Mang City, with Fapa, Xuangbang, and Banzhuhe being well-developed resorts. However, I recommend the Banyan Tree Cave Hot Spring in Mangbang Village, a hidden gem among locals, where you can soak for just 3 RMB. It’s nestled under a giant 100-year-old banyan tree, with the roots now petrified, and the clear pool water shimmering in the sunlight.
Explore the Markets: The Mang City Comprehensive Market is worth a visit, offering Vietnamese snacks, various street foods, and exotic fruits like passion fruit, sugar apples, and jackfruit. You can also buy local homemade pickled condiments or unique spices, especially during the mushroom season in the rainy period.
Bester Food Court: A must-visit spot in Mang City! Here, you can enjoy Southeast Asian dishes for just 30 RMB per person, with a variety of snacks to choose from.
Village Fairs: These markets let you experience the allure of local life, simple and sincere.
Culinary Delights
Mang Cty’s Food: From traditional Yunnan dishes like rice noodles, dairy fan, and various rice cakes to unexpected flavors that challenge your taste buds.
Breakfast: Locals start their day with a bowl of “bi silk,” seasoned heavily with mint, lemon juice, and chili oil, a taste that grows on you.
Main Meals: The variety of dishes means you could eat different meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for a month.
Snacks: From grilled fish with lemongrass to pounded vegetables, hand-rolled noodles, and exotic dishes like ghost chicken, the flavors are endless.
Street Food: From grilled meats to sweet rice cakes, sour papaya, and local condiments like “shua shua la,” a chili so hot even locals only dare to dip it in their sauces.
If Lijiang’s soul is its bars, then Mang City’s soul is its night market barbecue. Everything from beef skewers to chicken wings and intestines can be grilled here, rivaling even Jinzhou’s famous barbecue.
Fruits are abundant, growing by the roadside for anyone to pick. The streets are lined with vendors selling fresh fruits or juices at beautiful prices.
Whether you visit in any season, I recommend you experience Mang City’s unique exotic atmosphere, taste its diverse cuisine, relax, eat, soak in hot springs, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the laid-back lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of!
