# Tengchong travel guide (腾冲) Yunnan Province · Southwest, China · 8 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/yunnan/tengchong ## The feel of the place - **Hot Spring Paradise:** Many places in the world have hot springs, but few are as vast, as rich in springs and as beneficial as Tengchong. As far back as ancient times, the traveller Xu Xiake had already set foot here and carefully surveyed its abundant geothermal resources. Tengchong has China's densest concentration of volcanoes and geothermal springs: more than 90 volcanoes, over 80 hot springs and tens of thousands of spring vents. The spectacular Rehai Great Boiling Cauldron, the Wannian Toad Mouth blasting heat in every direction and the Drunken Bird Divine Spring, which sparks endless imagination… Hot springs seem to be everywhere here, and thin wisps of steam are always rising. - **City at the Edge of the Empire:** Dynasty after dynasty paid close attention to Tengchong's strategic position, stationing heavy troops here. In the Ming dynasty, a stone city was built and dubbed “the First City at the Edge of the Empire.” This historic and cultural city on the Southern Silk Road, thanks to its distinctive geography, shows traces of the blending of Chinese and Western cultures everywhere. ## The feel of the place ### Ethnic Minority Festivals Several festivals in Baoshan are not to be missed. On the seventh day of the second lunar month each year, the Lisu people of Tengchong hold the grand Daogan Festival (Knife-Pole Festival). On the seventh day after Qingming Festival each year, the Dai people hold the three-day Water-Splashing Festival. And each Dragon Boat Festival, Baoshan hosts the Baoshan Flower Fair. ### Volcanic Stones You Can't Take Home Volcanic stone massages feel wonderful, but the stones cannot be taken away. Vendors in the scenic area sell processed volcanic stones. ### Preparation & Information ### Climate & Best Time to Visit Tengchong lies on the far southwestern frontier and enjoys abundant sunshine but plenty of rain. It warms up as soon as the sun comes out and turns chilly the moment it rains. Be sure to pack a sweater, as you'll need one year-round. ## Getting there & around ### By Air Tengchong Tuofeng Airport is located in Tuofeng Village, Qingshui Township. An airport shuttle bus runs directly to the city centre, and from the airport to the KongGang Hotel opposite Dieshui River Waterfall scenic area, the fare is ¥10 per person. A taxi between the county town and Tengchong Airport costs about ¥30. ### By Road Tengchong has two long-distance bus stations. Direct buses run daily from Kunming, Dali and Baoshan. ### Long-Distance Bus Stations and Destinations - **Customer Service Hotline** — - **Tengchong Tourist Bus Station** — - **Tengchong Tongllida Bus Station** — ## Eat & drink Tengchong cuisine is known for dishes that are rich but not greasy, with a balance of sour and spicy flavours and a fragrant, refreshing finish. Notable signature dishes include Dajiujia, rice noodles and rice cakes, all of which you can sample at Tengchong Hotel. Other snacks worth trying include cold bean-starch jelly, hot and sour soup and termite mushrooms tossed with green chillies. Tengchong's most famous dish is “Dajiujia” (Great Rescue). Legend has it that in the early Qing dynasty, Wu Sangui led his army into Kunming, and the Yongli Emperor of the Southern Ming fled to western Yunnan. When he reached Tengchong, it was already dark, and he was both exhausted and hungry. At the place where he stopped, the host, in a hurry and with nothing prepared, stir-fried a plate of rice cakes and served it. Emperor Yongli was delighted with it, and from then on, stir-fried rice cakes in Tengchong were renamed “Dajiujia.” ## Where to stay Tengchong has quite a few guesthouses, and the business hotels in the scenic area are mainly concentrated around Guanting Lane. - **Tengchong Guanfang Hotel** — Walking in gives you the feeling of a five-star hotel, so staying here is a good choice in Tengchong. (No. 1, Hongxing Community, Tengyue Road (opposite Tengyue Culture Square), 0875-51799999) ## Things to see - **Tengchong Volcano and Hot Sea (Rehai)** (★★★★★): Admission ¥10; Rehai hot spring adult combo ticket ¥288 9:00–18:00; Time needed 2–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/tengchong-volcano-and-hot-sea-rehai - **Beihai Wetland** (★★★★): Admission Entrance ¥80; entrance + boat ticket + grass-raft ticket + shuttle bus ticket ¥125; Time needed 0.5–1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/beihai-wetland - **Heshun Ancient Town** (★★★★★): Admission Entrance ¥55; sightseeing bus ticket ¥10; Impressions on Water boat ticket ¥60; Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/heshun-ancient-town - **Volcano National Geopark** (★★★★): Admission ¥35; hot-air balloon rides for viewing the volcanoes are offered before 12:00 daily, ¥280 per 10 minutes; Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/volcano-national-geopark - **Yinxing Village (Ginkgo Village)** (★★★): Admission ¥30 8:20–19:00; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/yinxing-village-ginkgo-village - **Qiluo Ancient Town** (★★★): Admission Free; Time needed 3–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/qiluo-ancient-town - **Dieshuihe Waterfall** (★★★★): Admission ¥20 8:00–17:00; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/dieshuihe-waterfall ## Day trips & beyond - **Mangshi** (★★★★): — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/mangshi --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 278–285. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.