Ruili (瑞丽) is a beautiful border city located in western Yunnan Province, China. It sits at the intersection of two important highways: the Yunnan-Burma Road and the Stilwell Road (the China-India Highway). To the east, it connects with Mangshi, while to the north, it borders Longchuan County. On its northwest, southwest, and southeast sides, Ruili is bordered by the natural landscapes of Myanmar, and it is adjacent to the major border city of Muse in Myanmar.
Ruili boasts picturesque scenery and captivating landscapes. It is known as one of the best places to live, with centenarians accounting for 0.011% of the population. Key attractions include the national-level scenic area of the Ruili River, the mysterious and beautiful Moli Tropical Rainforest, the rare flora and fauna in Wanding Ecological Park, as well as the charming rural scenery and the vibrant, exotic landscapes unique to the border region.
Travel Information about Ruili City
Tickets and Opening Hours
Tickets:
- Jiele Golden Pagoda: 15 RMB
- Moli Rainforest: 50 RMB
- Mengbanaxi Exotic Garden: 30 RMB
Opening Hours:
- Moli Rainforest: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Mengbanaxi Exotic Garden: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Best Time to Visit
Ruili enjoys warm winters and humid, hot summers. The best time to visit is from September to April, when the weather is clear, sunny, and ideal for sightseeing. The Manao Zongge Festival is held annually on the 15th day of the first lunar month in Longchuan County. During the third lunar month, there are other local festivals, such as the Water Splashing Festival and Mengbanaxi Cultural Festival.
Transportation to Scenic Areas
Location: Ruili, Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province
By Air: The nearest airport is in Mangshi, Dehong Prefecture. Kunming offers one or two flights daily to Mangshi, with a flight time of about 45 minutes. After arriving in Mangshi, you can transfer to Wanding, Ruili, or Yingjiang.
By Bus: National Highway 320 passes through Dehong and extends to Ruili and Nongdao. Sleeper buses and express buses operate daily from Kunming Bus Terminal to Mangshi and Ruili. The trip takes about 8 hours to Mangshi and 10 hours to Ruili. Buses also run from Dali to Mangshi and Ruili.
By Minibus: Dozens of minibuses operate daily between Ruili city center and the Jiagao border trade zone.
Scenic Area Ratings
- Cultural: ★★★
- Unique Features: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★★
- Adventure: ★★
Highlights of Ruili City
Mengbanaxi Exotic Garden
Mengbanaxi Exotic Garden is a large park located southeast of Mangshi, covering more than 500 acres. It is home to a vast collection of rare and ancient trees from across China, as well as globally rare petrified wood and jade, making it a treasure trove of subtropical plant biodiversity.
The garden is divided into several sections, including the Banyan Garden, Bougainvillea Garden, Crape Myrtle Garden, Osmanthus Garden, Plumeria Garden, Bonsai Garden, Cyathea Garden, Exhibition Hall, and the Stone Corridor. Most of the ancient trees in the park are hundreds or even thousands of years old, offering significant aesthetic and ecological value. In addition to its rich plant life, the park hosts various cultural activities such as Dai singing performances and traditional games like sandbag tossing, showcasing local ethnic customs.
The “Single Tree Forest”
The “Single Tree Forest” is located next to Mangling Village. From a distance, it appears as a lush green forest on the left side of the road. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll find that this “forest” is actually a single banyan tree. This tree stands along National Highway 320 near Ruili City, seemingly waiting to welcome visitors from afar. For this reason, the locals refer to it as the “Welcoming Banyan.”
Though not the largest banyan tree in Dehong Prefecture – it ranks fifth in size – it is renowned for its unique shape, with its branches spreading in various directions, creating a striking and dynamic appearance. The tree has also been a popular filming location for more than 10 films and TV shows, including Border Town Fires, Peacock Princess, and Journey to the West.
Jiele Golden Pagoda
Jiele Golden Pagoda is located along the national highway between Kunming and Ruili. The name, in the Dai language, means “Pagoda at the Head of the Plain.” With over 600 years of history, it is the oldest Buddhist structure in Ruili, serving as a site for religious activities and a popular tourist destination. The pagoda is as grand in scale as the Yunyan Pagoda and the Manfeilong Pagoda in Xishuangbanna.
As one of Southeast Asia’s renowned Buddhist pagodas, Jiele Golden Pagoda is accompanied by a nearby temple that houses sacred relics. Every year during the Water Splashing Festival, a vibrant three-day Buddhist ceremony is held here, attracting large crowds.
Legend of Jiele Golden Pagoda
According to legend, long ago, two tribes in Mengmao Plain frequently fought over land and water resources. One year, in the midst of a bloody battle with no clear victor, a high monk from the south arrived and invited the two chiefs to meet on the hill at Jiele to make peace. The monk took out two bamboo segments, one thicker and one thinner but of equal height, and painted them red and black, respectively. He stood them upright on the ground and pointed to their shadows in the sunlight, saying, “Though these two bamboo segments differ in size, their shadows are of the same height.”
After reflecting on his words, the chiefs understood the monk’s wisdom and agreed to make peace over a blood-oath drink. To commemorate the successful reconciliation and newfound friendship, the tribes built the Jiele Golden Pagoda on that very spot.
Dadenghan Village
Dadenghan is a charming Dai village, located 20 kilometers from Ruili City, known as the “Dai Rural Park.” The village is renowned for its pomelo production, with the fragrant scent of pomelo leaves filling the air. Traditional Dai bamboo houses are scattered among lush green trees and picturesque farmlands, creating a serene and idyllic atmosphere.
Historically, Dadenghan was part of the old course of the Ruili River. Due to its higher elevation, the river slowed down here, forming whirlpools where items from upstream accumulated. The Dai people regarded this as a symbol of wealth, calling the place “Great Golden Pond.” Over time, the name changed to Dadenghan, which means “a place where gold piles up.”
Moli Tropical Rainforest Scenic Area
Moli Tropical Rainforest Scenic Area is located in the Moli Gorge, northeast of Ruili City, about 20 kilometers from the city center. It is currently the only national 4A-rated tourist attraction in Ruili. The name “Moli” comes from the Dai language, meaning “beautiful waterfall,” named after the Zhaduo Waterfall in the area.
The scenic area’s main feature is a long stream, which, after a 30-minute walk upstream, leads to the Zhaduo Waterfall. This waterfall, standing over 30 meters tall, has a nearby tea pavilion where visitors can relax. The rainforest offers a unique opportunity to get up close to nature, with fresh air full of natural negative ions, giving visitors a “natural oxygen bar” experience that leaves them feeling refreshed.
Within the scenic area, there is a golden Dai-style pagoda pavilion that houses a large boulder known as “Tunluo Stone.” On the slanted rock wall of this boulder is a giant “footprint” with clearly defined toes and sole. This is a revered Buddhist footprint, known throughout the Buddhist community. Devotees often cover it in gold leaf, making it appear even more lifelike. Behind the pagoda pavilion, not far away, is the Great Buddha Temple, which attracts a steady stream of worshippers, especially during Buddhist festivals.
Wanding Border Port
Wanding is a national-level border port located in southern Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The name “Wanding” is a transliteration from the Dai language, meaning “the place where the sun is overhead.”
Wanding is a bustling hub where Southeast Asian merchants gather, turning the area into a major distribution center for goods such as cosmetics, jewelry, handicrafts, agricultural products, and jade. To the south of Wanding, on the river marking the China-Myanmar border, lies the famous Wanding Bridge, a cross-border bridge. During World War II, this bridge served as the only land connection between China and the international community, making it historically significant.
Nongdao
Nongdao is not an island but a small town situated at the southernmost tip of Ruili. Its unique geographical location makes it a place where the sound of a rooster’s crow can be heard in both China and Myanmar. The town is only 1 kilometer away from the China-Myanmar border. A short walk through a Dai village leads to the Ruili River, and crossing the river brings you to the small Myanmar town of Nankan.
In the Dai language, “Nongdao” means “a pond covered with moss.” The town has numerous ponds of various sizes, filled with wild plants like lotus, water hyacinths, and duckweed. When the breeze blows, the reeds sway gently, creating a tranquil and picturesque scene.
Nongdao is also famous for its “Treasure Hunting Field,” located along a small tributary of the Nanwan River, west of Nongdao Town. Because the upper reaches of the river run through gemstone mines on the Chinese border, river currents carry gem fragments and debris downstream, which then settle in the riverbed, mixed in with mud and sand. This has made the area a popular “treasure hunting” spot for locals and tourists alike, who come to sift through the sediment in hopes of finding valuable stones.
Visitor Guide for Ruili City
Accommodation in Ruili
Ruili has a well-developed tourism industry, offering a wide variety of hotels and guesthouses primarily concentrated around Nankou Street and Maohuan Street. Nankou Street provides convenient transportation, while Maohuan Street is quieter, making it a preferred choice for those seeking tranquility. It’s important to note that hotel prices can double during the Water-Splashing Festival.
- Lasong Hotel (拉颂酒店)
Location: Situated between Ruili City and the Jie’ao border, just 3 kilometers from the gateway to Myanmar.
Features: The hotel showcases local ethnic style and is themed around the Myanmar national flower, “Lashong.” Its decorations and services are infused with Southeast Asian flair. - Starlight Hotel (斯达沃大酒店)
Location: Located in the city center, about a 10-minute drive from the Jie’ao port and the “One Country, Two Towns” area.
Features: The hotel is next to a restaurant serving Dehong specialties and has a parking lot, making it suitable for self-driving travelers. - Jingcheng Grand Hotel (景成大酒店)
Location: Found on Maohuan Street, this is one of the most luxurious hotels in Ruili.
Features: A four-star establishment, it boasts a swimming pool and a gym, catering to guests seeking both comfort and leisure activities.
Cuisine in Ruili
The culinary scene in Ruili is dominated by Dai flavors, characterized by their unique cooking methods such as boiling, roasting, frying, and serving cold dishes. Stir-frying is rare in Dai cuisine, with a notable preference for sour flavors. The Dai people love incorporating sour ingredients into their dishes, including meats like chicken, duck, and fish. This affinity for sourness is particularly suited to the hot climate of Dehong, as these flavors stimulate the appetite and enhance digestion.
Huafeng Night Market is the liveliest night market in Ruili, featuring over a dozen bustling food stalls offering a variety of unusual and intriguing dishes. It’s an excellent place to experience the local street food culture.
Guangdong Zhanjiang Restaurant is Situated on Nankou Street, and the average cost stands at Around 30 RMB per person. The restaurant specializes in seafood and barbecued meats, providing a taste of authentic Cantonese cuisine. It’s a great spot for those looking to enjoy delicious, fresh dishes in a casual setting.
Important Tips
Avoid Carrying Items for Strangers: It’s crucial not to carry items for unfamiliar individuals. Be vigilant and keep a close eye on your belongings at all times to avoid theft or scams.
Obtain Legal Travel Documents: If you plan to cross the border, ensure you have the proper legal documentation. Do not trust claims that suggest you can enter Myanmar without a visa, as this could lead to misunderstandings or legal issues. Always verify visa requirements before traveling.