Dai Royal City · Border Oasis

Puer Menglian County — home to the last Dai ancient town in China. A 2-day-1-night itinerary exploring the Nayun Dai historical ancient town, visiting the Xuanfu Si Shrine Tusi architecture, and admiring the Mengma tropical rainforest waterfall. Experience the border culture and natural ecological charm of the Dai Royal City.

700 Years

Dai Tusi History

National Key

Cultural Relics Protection

4-Tier

Mengma Waterfall

China-Myanmar

Border Location

Menglian County Nayun Ancient Town Panorama and Xuanfu Si Shrine

China's best-preserved Dai ancient town architectural complex

Menglian County Two Days One Night Dai Royal City Journey

Ancient town exploration + Tusi culture + waterfall wonder, feel the charm of southwestern Yunnan borderlands

                    
Duration
2 Days 1 Night

                    
Main Destinations
Nayun Ancient Town, Xuanfu Si Shrine, Mengma Waterfall, Mangxin Agricultural Park

                    
Suitable For
Culture Enthusiasts, History Explorers, Photographers, Border Travelers

                    
Per Capita Budget
¥350-¥650

Dai Royal City Exploration

Ancient Town Culture

Itinerary Highlights

Explore Nayun Ancient Town in the morning, visit Xuanfu Si Shrine in the afternoon.

Attractions

Nayun Ancient Town

A famous historical and cultural town in China, the best-preserved Dai ancient town, retaining the upper, middle, and lower town layout with Dai Tusi yamen, Buddhist temples, ancient wells, and other relics, hailed as a "Museum of Dai Architecture."

Menglian Xuanfu Si Shrine

A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, the Dai Tusi yamen, preserving Ming and Qing Dynasty architectural styles, including a council hall, main hall, and wing rooms, showcasing the Dai ruling system and Tusi culture.

Middle Town Buddhist Temple

A provincial-level cultural relics protection unit, a Southern Buddhism temple preserving exquisite murals and Dai script scriptures, featuring unique crafts such as gold-water stenciling, showcasing Dai religious art.

Practical Information

Travel Tips

Wear comfortable shoes for stone streets
Remove shoes and keep quiet in temples
Respect Dai ethnic customs

Accommodation Recommendations

Nayun Dai family B&Bs
Xuanfu Si Shrine boutique hotels
Border-themed inns

Natural Border Experience

Waterfall Wonder

Itinerary Highlights

Admire Mengma Waterfall in the morning, experience cross-border agriculture in the afternoon.

Attractions

Mengma Waterfall

A tropical rainforest waterfall cluster with a total drop of 120 meters, cascading in four tiers. It is most spectacular during the rainy season, with primeval forest trails and tropical plant diversity.

Mangxin Cross-Border Agricultural Demonstration Park

A China-Myanmar border agricultural tourism zone, showcasing tropical fruits, coffee, and other cross-border agricultural cooperation achievements, with sightseeing trails, picking experience areas, and a border trade market.

Paliang Ancient Tea Garden

A border ecological ancient tea garden with tea tree clusters over 300 years old. Visitors can experience tea picking and processing, and observe traditional Dai tea-making craftsmanship.

Practical Information

Special Experiences

Waterfall viewing platform photography
Cross-border product shopping
Dai tea-making experience

Return Trip Suggestions

Allow time for souvenir shopping
Menglian Pu'er tea as gift
Dai brocade handicrafts

Menglian County Must-Try Foods

Dai-Style Barbecue

A Menglian specialty, ingredients grilled with lemongrass and lemon leaves, tangy, spicy, and aromatic, including grilled tilapia, grilled chicken, and grilled pork belly. Certified as a "Famous Yunnan Dish."

Sour Braised Vegetables (Suan Pa Cai)

A traditional Dai dish, vegetables and meat slow-stewed in a secret Dai sour broth. Tangy, refreshing, and appetite-stimulating, it is listed in the provincial intangible cultural heritage directory.

Pineapple Rice

A border-region specialty, pineapple hollowed out and filled with purple rice for steaming. Sweet, tangy, and soft, blending Chinese and Myanmar culinary traditions, earning it the title of "Sweet Delight of the Borderlands."

Menglian County Travel Tips

Best Seasons