Yunnan’s Seriously Underrated Niche Destination
There is a place in Yunnan that is quieter than Dali, more niche than Xishuangbanna, and more low-key than Ruili. It’s called Mangshi, known as "Menghuan" in the Dai language. Many people traveling in Yunnan pass through here for a transfer or take a few hours by bus from Dali for a short stop, but very few come specifically for it. I was the same, passing by many times without paying much attention, until one time I stayed for three days and discovered how much this place is worth lingering in.
Mangshi, Yunnan
Mangshi is the capital of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. The Dai people make up more than half of the population, making it one of the places in Yunnan with the richest Dai culture. The city is small, with main attractions concentrated within the city and surrounding areas that can be visited within a day or two. The Silver Pagoda, Golden Pagoda, Dai Ancient Town, and hot springs are what most people know about Mangshi. But what truly makes Mangshi unique are the things not written in travel guides.
Let’s start with the Silver Pagoda and the Golden and Silver Pagodas. The Menghuan Silver Pagoda is located halfway up Leiya Mountain in the east of the city. Its milky white tower rises in layers along the mountain slope, with the spire piercing the clear sky. There is a long staircase from the foot of the mountain to the pagoda, lined with various succulents and tropical plants on both sides. The walk itself is a kind of ritual. The best time to visit is at sunset, when golden light shines on the pagoda, with the nearby pagoda forest and distant fields all in view, and the skyline dyed golden-red. If you’re lucky to catch the evening glow, the whole sky turns pink and purple, making the Silver Pagoda look like a fairy-tale building against such a backdrop.
The Golden Pagoda is in the west of the city and is a Tibetan Buddhist stupa, completely different in style from the Silver Pagoda. The Golden Pagoda is a solid pagoda complex, with bell-shaped pagodas surrounding the main tower, giving it a more imposing presence. Inside, thousands of butter lamps burn year-round, casting a dim yellow light. The unique Tibetan sandalwood incense fills the air, creating a solemn yet warm atmosphere. More locals come here to worship, and there are relatively fewer tourists, so it doesn’t feel commercialized.
The Dai Ancient Town is near Houjiang Pedestrian Street. It’s not a tourist-built ancient town but a street where locals really live. The arcade buildings have shops selling daily necessities and local snacks. If you come before 8 a.m., you can see locals carrying baskets on their backs buying groceries, creating a lively scene. There is a water-splashing baba shop that has been open for thirty years in the ancient town. The Dai rice cake is steamed wrapped in banana leaves, sweet but not greasy. You can buy some to take on the road. There are also several Dai barbecue shops on the street, grilling pork belly, pig skin, and sticky rice, paired with Mangshi’s unique sour tea—a flavor you won’t find elsewhere.
A few practical tips:
⏰ Best time: October to April is the dry season with more sunny days, great for photos, and fewer tourists. June to September is the rainy season, but the plants are greenest and waterfalls have the most water, offering a unique charm—just bring rain gear.
🚗 Transportation: Mangshi has an airport (Dehong Mangshi Airport), about an hour’s flight from Kunming. You can also take a bus from Dali, which takes about five to six hours. There are taxis and Didi rides in the city, making it convenient to get around with cheap starting fares. Renting an electric scooter is also easy; the city is small, and you can cover the main attractions by bike.
💰 Tickets: The Silver Pagoda ticket is 30 yuan, the Golden Pagoda ticket is 40 yuan, and a combined ticket for both is 60 yuan. Locals say you can find someone to take you in cheaper, though this hasn’t been verified—feel free to try if interested. The ancient town is free, and the Dai living areas are completely free.
🍜 Food recommendations: When in Mangshi, you must try these—water-splashing baba, sour tea, sapie rice noodles, and bamboo tube rice. Water-splashing baba can be bought at the old shop in the Dai Ancient Town; sour tea can be experienced by picking tea leaves on the tea mountains; sapie rice noodles are everywhere, with "Dream Dai Family" near the ancient town highly recommended; bamboo tube rice is available at many barbecue stalls.
📸 Photo tips: The best light at the Silver Pagoda is two hours before sunset. It’s recommended to wear light-colored clothes, with white or beige being the best. The Golden Pagoda’s interior lighting is dim yellow; when photographing, avoid capturing monks inside to respect local beliefs. For the ancient town, it’s best to go before 9 a.m. for good light and fewer people.
🛁 Hot spring experience: Near Mangshi is Peacock Mountain Hot Spring, with suitable water temperature and clear water. It’s a popular spot for locals to soak. No ticket is required, but you need to bring your own swimsuit. After soaking, you can also hike a mountain to burn some calories.
If you want to deeply experience Dai culture, visit the surrounding villages. Many Dai villages are about half an hour’s drive from the city, with every household planting flowers, and the scent of Michelia and jasmine filling the air. You can find a farmhouse to enjoy a Dai lunch, using banana leaves as bowls, eating sticky rice with your hands, and having grilled fish and pork belly paired with sour tea—this is the most authentic Dai lifestyle.
Mangshi is not a city that will be hyped as an internet sensation. It is quiet, niche, and unpretentious. But precisely because of this, it preserves the most complete Dai culture, the most authentic Dai cuisine, and the slowest pace of life. If you come to Yunnan, don’t just visit Dali and Lijiang—spend a few days in Mangshi, and you will discover a different Yunnan.