Things to do in Dehong

The Meng Huan Golden Pagoda is a must-see attraction in Mangshi. Its golden splendor can be seen from various parts of the city. Climbing the long steps, the pagoda's unique South Asian Dai royal palace style is visually stunning, and the view of it framed alongside the silver pagoda is unique. Inside, the Buddha statues are exquisite, and the Buddhist atmosphere is profound.

You can't go inside the Silver Pagoda, only look at it. It's a bit of a walk up from the ground. If you're not physically fit, I recommend taking the shuttle bus. It costs an extra 10 yuan for a round trip. The view from the top of the mountain is quite expansive, but it gets very crowded during holidays. Even taking photos on the glass walkway that's popular for online photos requires queuing.

Ruili is a village belonging to two countries, a well supplying water to two nations, and a river flowing between two countries in autumn. A border line separates two countries, but it cannot sever the shared human connection. Gazing at the Burmese village across the fence, one can experience the unique borderland charm without leaving the country.

Rare plants, petrified wood, and free-roaming peacocks make this a perfect spot for a half-day getaway and photo opportunities. 🌟 Key Highlights • Ecology and Wonders: A natural oxygen bar with dense ancient trees and lush shade; rare petrified wood and silicified timber dating back hundreds of millions of years; abundant unique stones and root carvings. • Interactive Experiences: Peacocks roam freely without fear, with a high chance of witnessing them display their plumage; the Zhou Enlai Memorial Pavilion holds historical significance. • Photography and Family Fun: Bougainvillea, banyan trees, and bamboo groves offer stunning photo opportunities; ideal for family walks, approximately a 2-hour visit.

It's alright. There's a waterfall at the top, the air humidity is quite high, and there are many tropical plants. Some of the trees are very tall, but it's not exactly unique or fun.

Located east of Mangshi City, the Dai Ancient Town is modeled after the palace of the ancient Dai chieftain. It features pagodas and temples, creating a magnificent atmosphere filled with rich Dai ethnic customs. Intangible cultural heritage workshops and local delicacies are found throughout the town, attracting many tourists.

It was free to enter. I walked. The Jiegao Bridge is very long, and Jiegao is right on the other side of the river, which is quite interesting because most national borders are defined by rivers, but Jiegao is like an exclave. The border gate also has a distinctive ethnic style. Climbing to the rooftop next to it, you can see the buildings on the other side, which are all quite similar.

On January 7, 2026, I finally visited this tree-encased pagoda attraction that I'd been wanting to see for so long. Admission is free. The area is quite small, and new residential buildings, all 20 stories high, are under construction nearby. I imagine they'll affect the view when they're finished. The tree is enormous; it's a Bodhi tree, and the pagoda is nestled within its trunk. The tree and pagoda are tightly integrated, completely merging into one—a truly rare spectacle. Five to ten minutes is enough for a visit and some photos.

The architectural style of Mangshi Square is unique, integrating the traditional cultural elements of the Dai and Jingpo ethnic groups. The roofs of the buildings in the square are all glowing with golden light, and the entire square presents an exotic Burmese style. These buildings are not only beautiful and generous, but also carry rich historical and cultural connotations. A good place for citizens to relax and have fun. Citizens will do morning exercises here early in the morning, and it will be more lively in the evening. Citizens will play chess and cards, dance square dances, etc. here, enjoying a leisurely time. Unlike the square dances that everyone knows in the mainland, there is no annoying noise here, but dancing to the beautiful folk music. It is not only a kind of appreciation, but you will definitely have the desire to join if you are there. There are flame trees planted around the square, and the flame flowers in autumn are really beautiful; there are also coffee shops and restaurants; there are all kinds of local delicacies in the residential area not far away, and you can eat happily in the morning or in the evening.

It's huge, covering an entire mountain. There are shuttle buses to and from the mountain. The jungle adventure is also good, with a particularly long walkway. The package ticket includes a slide down the mountain, which is quite nice. You can get up close to the peacocks in the peacock garden, and you can buy feathers at the small shops nearby. They're cheaper than other places! 👍🏻 Apparently, there are over 10,000 peacocks inside. I saw enough on my first day; afterwards, I got tired of seeing peacocks at other attractions. 😂 It's definitely worth it. Getting a taxi is also quite convenient.