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County in Yunnan, China
Photo: Brian Dell Bdell555, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Mengla (Chinese: 勐腊, Lü: ᦵᦙᦲᧂ ᦟᦱᧉ) is a county in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, in southern Yunnan Province, China. Situated along the border with Laos and Myanmar, it is a gateway to the tropical landscapes and rich ethnic minority cultures of southwest China, featuring rainforest parks, rivers, botanical gardens, tea areas, and traditional Dai and other minority communities.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
基诺山热带雨林景区
Ranked #1 on Xishuangbanna's list of must-see natural landscapes, this natural oxygen bar boasts over 98% forest coverage. Its biggest highlight is the opportunity to experience the authentic Jinuo ethnic culture through rainforest treks led by local Jinuo guides. The trekking routes are well-designed, ranging from gentle forest paths to more challenging sections requiring hands and feet. Along the way, you'll see various rare plants and even have the chance to catch small crabs and butterflies, experiencing the joys of nature.
西双版纳巴朵热带雨林
The biggest advantage of this relatively pristine rainforest resort is its lack of over-commercialization, with local Dai villagers serving as guides. Visitors can experience a 6-kilometer rainforest waterway trek, including fun activities like fetching water from vines and banana leaves, and even make their own Dai-style barbecue, experiencing the most authentic rainforest life.
基诺山幽河谷雨林景区
The rainforest hiking trails here are relatively off the beaten path. The entire route follows a stream, is flat and easy on the legs, making it suitable even for beginners. Along the way, you can see dew rolling off leaves, squirrels darting through tree trunks, and colorful wild mushrooms. The most amazing part is the mountaintop viewing platform, offering a panoramic view of the entire rainforest, with its rolling green waves and distant sea of clouds – photos taken straight from your phone without needing any editing.
中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园
南腊河雨林漂流
Offers a 6 km rafting route that takes about 2 hours. The ride is generally gentle and allows visitors to enjoy rainforest scenery along the river. Bringing spare pants and shoes is recommended.
望天树景区
Features extensive tropical rainforest vegetation and a wide variety of rainforest tree species. The park provides guided interpretation. Its best-known attraction is the canopy suspension bridge, a 500-m walkway built among the treetops at a height of about 36 m.
热带雨林国家公园勐远仙境景区
A well-preserved area of primary rainforest. The park includes bat caves and old banyan trees. Visitors can choose guided hiking routes, with optional activities such as zip-lining, water swings, and archery. Rainforest-style lunch is available inside the park.
西双版纳纳卡雨林
The biggest advantage of this relatively pristine rainforest resort is its lack of over-commercialization, with local Dai villagers serving as guides. Visitors can experience a 6-km rainforest waterway trek, including fun activities like fetching water from vines and banana leaves, and even make their own Dai-style barbecue, experiencing the most authentic rainforest life.
勐远仙境星空营地
This upscale campsite boasts a 10,000-m² lawn surrounded by pristine tropical rainforest. During the day, visitors can enjoy activities such as cave exploration and rainforest trekking, while at night, there are bonfire parties and open-air movies. Falling asleep under the moonlight and waking up to morning mist and birdsong is an exceptional way to connect with nature.
西双版纳纳卡雨林
The biggest advantage of this relatively pristine rainforest resort is its lack of over-commercialization, with local Dai villagers serving as guides. Visitors can experience a 6-kilometer rainforest waterway trek, including fun activities like fetching water from vines and banana leaves, and even make their own Dai-style barbecue, experiencing the most authentic rainforest life.
A hot pot restaurant full of Mengla, where you can not only enjoy authentic Lao hot pot, but also experience a rich local cultural atmosphere.
Specializes in a fusion of Dai and Thai cuisine. Signature dishes include lemongrass pork ribs and mango beef. A separate section of the restaurant serves coffee and desserts.
Known for its signature sour soup hot pot made with tomatoes, fermented rice water, and makhwaen (wild pepper). Served with fresh fish slices for a perfectly balanced, tangy and savory flavor.
Specializing in cold mixed tropical fruits and chili pepper cold noodles.
A camping-style restaurant serving a mix of Southeast Asian dishes and local specialties. Signature dishes include grilled tilapia and curry shrimp.
软脚老挝火锅
This is the most representative Lao hot pot restaurant in Mengla County. It's been open for over ten years and is known as "the most authentic Lao hot pot in Mengla." The unique pot design allows you to enjoy the dual experience of grilling meat and dipping vegetables at the same time. The grilled meat sizzles with oil in the middle, while the vegetables around it are refreshing and delicious. Paired with each restaurant's unique secret dipping sauce, there's "a hundred flavors from a hundred different places."
傣色
This 9-year-old restaurant in Manthara Village, known as "Laos's No. 1 Hot Pot Village," boasts a unique ambiance and central air conditioning. The broth is rich and flavorful, with a distinctive Lao sauce aroma, and the signature lemon dipping sauce is the essence of Lao cuisine. The pork belly can be enjoyed both in the hot pot and grilled simultaneously, and Paruda is a must-try specialty drink.
芭提雅老挝火锅
Located in a private courtyard within the village, the environment is comfortable and the air is fresh. The owner's homemade bone broth is incredibly flavorful. The biggest highlight is its excellent value for money; even students can easily afford it, and the portions are so generous that two people can't finish it all.
Fun.傣
This hidden gem of a courtyard, featured on CCTV, blends Dai and Southeast Asian cuisine. Their signature potatoes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a key ingredient that elevates the flavor. The Lao-style pounded papaya platter is also a unique touch. The open-air garden setting is perfect for taking photos, and afternoon tea sets are available.
重庆袁老四老火锅(青年路店)
This Sichuan-Chongqing hot pot restaurant, which made it onto the list of Xishuangbanna's top restaurants for repeat customers, boasts a classy, antique-style decor. Its biggest feature is its self-service selection of vegetables, fruits, drinks, and snacks, as well as brown sugar ice jelly. The beef slices, tripe, and other ingredients are fresh, offering great value for money.
二少摊摊鹅
The nearest affordable street-side stall is unique in that it offers outdoor seating, making it a cool and refreshing spot to relax. The goose meat is tender and flavorful, the vegetables are fresh and free, and the food is served quickly. Although it's a street stall, the food is delicious and suitable for tourists who want to experience the local atmosphere.
万事调酒馆
The bar has a quiet, blues-style setting and offers a range of house cocktails, along with light snacks and cold dishes served with drinks.
饗·Winehouse
The bar serves whiskey and house cocktails in a quiet, private setting, and also offers signature mixed noodles and cold dishes.
啰啰咖啡馆(勐腊金都店)
This is one of the most stylish cafes in the area, spanning two floors with ample seating. The elegant ambiance features soothing music. Besides coffee, they also offer light meals and local specialties; the hot milk is comforting and flavorful, and the vegetable and lean meat congee is highly praised. It's a convenient place to relax, enjoy the air conditioning, use the Wi-Fi, or charge your devices after a long day of shopping.
霸王茶姬(勐腊金都商贸城店)
This tea chain features an elegant, traditional Chinese design. Their "Bo Ya's Broken String" tea boasts a clear, mellow flavor with a lingering aftertaste, while "Spring Peach" is visually stunning with its rich, creamy texture. The packaging, designed in a traditional Chinese style, is eye-catching, and the freshly made drinks guarantee quality.
瑞幸咖啡(勐腊金都商贸店)
This chain brand offers standardized products; their signature coconut latte is rich and flavorful without being bitter, while the orange C Americano is refreshing and helps cut through any greasiness. Although seating is relatively limited, the food is served quickly, offering great value for money and making it a good place to quickly replenish your caffeine.
古茗(勐腊步行街店)
Ranked #2 on the best-selling beverage list in Mengla County, this milk tea shop offers generous toppings, a rich flavor, and a non-greasy texture. The crème brûlée milk tea is sweet and delicious, while the Hongyan salty milk tea is recommended with 50% sugar. The shop is clean and tidy, and the food is served quickly.
维也纳酒店
The hotel is located in the county center and provides multiple parking spaces. Facilities include a terrace seating area, small courtyard garden, laundry room, and fitness room. Airport transfers and breakfast are included.
美豪四季酒店
A comfortable mid-range hotel offering parking, a laundry room, tea room, meeting room, and free luggage storage. Rooms are designed in different styles inspired by local regional features. Free airport transfer service is included.
西双版纳王莲酒店
This is the only hotel within the Chinese Academy of Sciences Tropical Botanical Garden, and its biggest advantage is that guests can enter and exit the park freely without entrance fees. Surrounded by various rare flowers and trees, the hotel is a natural oxygen bar, quiet in the mornings and evenings, with a strong resort atmosphere. The room rate includes entrance fees and breakfast, making it excellent value for money.
勐腊景兰大酒店
勐腊县朗廷大酒店
The owner provided excellent service, including a complimentary and varied breakfast. The rooms were spacious, and although the decor was a bit dated, the materials were of good quality. Hot water was plentiful, and parking was convenient.
亚兰蒂斯度假酒店
Located in Nanlawan New District, the design blends modern, light luxury fashion elements with the beauty of Dai ethnic characteristics. It features an outdoor swimming pool, rooms with extra-large floor-to-ceiling windows, a tea room and laundry room on the first floor, and ample parking in front, making it a great spot for taking photos.
Fostiano·福斯蒂亚诺酒店
This five-star hotel features a design concept inspired by peacock feathers, emphasizing an artistic and cultural atmosphere. The dining options combine international and traditional cuisines and boast luxurious facilities including a lobby bar and karaoke.
勐腊憬泰大酒店
Renovated in 2024, this apartment boasts a prime location next to the county government. The rooms are clean and tidy, fully equipped, and offer free parking. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, making it excellent value for money.
西双版纳安纳塔拉度假酒店
This five-star resort hotel, part of the Minor Hotel Group, nestles beside the Luosuo River, facing the Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden across the river. Surrounded by tropical vegetation, it offers a tranquil and serene atmosphere. The architecture blends Dai and Thai styles, while the luxurious decor exudes exotic charm.
勐腊口岸市场
A local fresh market. The front section sells tropical fruits and vegetables, while the back section has small food stalls run by local residents.
曼龙勒雨林赶摆
Set within a Dai village and surrounded by rainforest, the market sells locally grown produce, freshly prepared homemade foods, and handmade souvenirs by village residents. It offers a glimpse of everyday local culture.
大兴量贩
Located on Qingnian Road in Mengla County, this supermarket enjoys a prime location in the old town area. It offers a wide variety of Southeast Asian foods, such as Thai soy milk and peanut snacks, at affordable prices, making it a good place to buy snacks as souvenirs.
By air
The nearest airport is Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport (JHG), near Jinghong City. From Jinghong, buses and taxis connect to Mengla County, taking around 2 hours.
International border
This is the first big town/city for travelers arriving from Laos. Buses from Luang Namtha in Laos take around 4 hours.
There are taxis and tuk-tuks that will take you around town for ¥6. The train station is about 6 km south from the bus terminal and about 9 km from the town centre.
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Jinghong (Gasa) · International · JHG
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