Giving up on Xishuangbanna and going only to Pu'er was really the right choice

Our first stop this summer vacation with the kids was Yunnan! We originally planned to go to Xishuangbanna, but after reading too many travel guides (thinking about the commercialization like in Hongcun was painful 😭), we decisively changed course to the off-the-beaten-path treasure—Pu'er! It turned out this decision was totally worth it! Fewer people, beautiful scenery, great experiences, and the kids had a blast! Here’s the itinerary to share with you: 📍 D1: Tianjin → Kunming Arrived in Kunming in the evening and headed straight to the main event—mushroom hotpot! Full ceremony: no sharing chopsticks + keeping samples, safety first! The mushrooms were incredibly fresh! Key point: always choose big or specialty restaurants for peace of mind! 📍 D2: Kunming local life experience day Morning: Donghua Market > Zhuanxin Market. Want to feel authentic Kunming? Don’t squeeze into the trendy Zhuanxin Market, Donghua Market is the locals’ favorite, full of lively atmosphere! Afternoon: Asia’s largest flower market! Headed to Dounan Flower Market, flowers were so cheap it was shocking, and there were all kinds of flowers and plants never seen before—eye-opening! Evening: Quick tour of the old street. Had a meal on Kunming’s old street and bought some fresh flower cakes. Old streets are similar everywhere, just a quick visit is enough. 📍 D3: Kunming → Pu'er (staying in the forest! 🌳) Took the high-speed train for over 3 hours to Pu'er. Booked the Asia-Pacific Forest Base Hotel in advance, which was super thoughtful and arranged pick-up. Ordered dishes with the hotel on the way, started eating as soon as we arrived. Afternoon: Forest crafts. At 2 pm, participated in the hotel’s plant specimen making activity, the kids were very happy to get hands-on. Evening: Exploring the little forest! At 9 pm, joined the night insect watching activity (book in advance!), using flashlights to find little bugs, the kids were super excited! Stayed in a forest cabin with air so fresh it was intoxicating (see photo 7)! D4: Primitive rainforest hike! → Pu'er city Morning: The same rainforest as on Running Man! Joined the hotel’s rainforest hike (3.5 hours total), not tiring at all! The air was unbelievably fresh (negative oxygen ions off the charts!), and the trail was truly primitive! Heard it’s much wilder than the artificial routes in Xishuangbanna, the kids explored new and interesting plants all along (photos 8-9). Afternoon: Moved to the city. After hiking, returned to stay in Pu'er city (chose Holiday Inn Express). Evening: Mushroom feast! The locally recommended “Wazhen” mushroom restaurant. Emphasizing again: when eating mushrooms, choose reputable big or chain restaurants for safety and peace of mind! It’s mushroom season, super fresh! D5: Private car day tour (tea garden + red panda + coffee!) Morning: Refreshing tea garden time. The driver suggested going to the tea garden first (worried about afternoon rain), very wise! The tea garden was less crowded in the morning, no sun, and the air was super fresh. Experienced the whole process of picking and making tea, the kids learned very well. Afternoon: Exclusive forest visit to see red pandas! Went to Sun River Forest Park, perfectly avoided tour groups! Felt like the whole forest was ours! The ecology was excellent, and the animals were in great condition (especially the adorable red pandas!). Tickets only 100 yuan, a must-go with kids! Highly recommended! Evening: Coffee plantation check-in. Visited Xiaoaozi Coffee Plantation, perfect for photos! Unfortunately arrived too late to catch the coffee explanation (friends who want the talk must arrive before 4 pm!). 💡 Why choose Pu'er? Fewer people and peaceful! Perfectly avoids the crowds and commercialization of Xishuangbanna. Pure experience! Primitive rainforest, ecological tea gardens, close animal encounters—all amazing natural classrooms. Delicious and safe! Mushroom season is very satisfying, choosing the right restaurant is important! Family-friendly! Rich activities (hiking, night watching, tea making), kids get fully energized, adults relax too. 📌 Tips: Stay in forest hotels: many activities (specimen making, night watching, hiking), be sure to book in advance! Eating mushrooms: safety first! Always choose reputable and official restaurants. Private car: very convenient for nearby attractions (tea garden, Sun River, coffee plantation), finding a reliable driver is important! Sun River: try to avoid peak times for a better experience! Coffee plantation: if you want to deeply learn about coffee, pay attention to the explanation time (Xiaoaozi usually before 4 pm). Giving up Xishuangbanna for Pu'er was our smartest decision this summer! The kids had a great time, adults didn’t get tired, and we sincerely recommend it to those who want to experience nature with kids and avoid crowds! Save this now!