Honghe

Honghe Prefecture brings together World Heritage terraced fields, historic old towns, relics of the Yunnan–Vietnam Railway, and the diverse cultures of the border area. It is best explored at a slower pace. The 5-day, 4-night itinerary below covers the main sights, local foods, and transport tips.

• Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces: Recognized with global “triple heritage” status. Duoyishu is good for watching the sunrise, while Bada is ideal for sunset. During the irrigation season from November to March, the terraces are especially spectacular.

• Jianshui Old Town: This thousand-year-old prefectural city still has flagstone streets, Zhu Family Garden, and Chaoyang Tower. The neighborhood feels very lived-in and is relatively less commercialized.

• Bisezhai: Once an important station on the Yunnan–Vietnam Railway, Bisezhai was also a filming location for the movie *Youth*. Its French-style buildings with yellow walls and red tiles set against the old railway tracks give the area a strong period atmosphere.

• Dongfengyun Scenic Area: The Kaleidoscope Art Museum, built with red bricks, is one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks. Its fairytale-like architectural style makes it a good place for photos on sunny days.

• Shuanglong Bridge: This is a 17-arch stone bridge from the Qing dynasty. At dusk, the sunset, the bridge, and its reflection in the water create one of Jianshui’s most iconic views.

Classic 5-Day, 4-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Mengzi and try rice noodles
  • Arrive in Mengzi in the afternoon and check in to a hotel near Nanhu Park.
  • For dinner, try Mengzi crossing-the-bridge rice noodles. Learn the dining style of adding the raw ingredients first, then letting the hot broth cook them, and eat in the order of meat first, then vegetables.
  • In the evening, take a walk around Nanhu Park and Dongda Street to get a feel for local city life.
• Day 2: Travel from Mengzi to Jianshui and explore railway heritage
  • In the morning, visit Bisezhai to see the French-style station buildings and century-old railway tracks. If you want to take photos, retro-style clothing can be a good choice.
  • Around noon, take a high-speed train or drive to Jianshui. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.
  • In the afternoon, explore Jianshui Old Town and Chaoyang Tower. In the evening, go to Zitao Street to try Jianshui grilled tofu.
• Day 3: In-depth Jianshui visit, old bridges, and the meter-gauge train
  • In the morning, take the Jianshui meter-gauge tourist train and enjoy the countryside views along the way, passing Shuanglong Bridge and Xianghui Bridge.
  • In the afternoon, visit Jianshui Confucian Temple or Zhu Family Garden to learn about traditional architecture in southern Yunnan.
  • For dinner, try Jianshui steam-pot chicken, then take it easy in the evening.
• Day 4: Travel from Jianshui to Mile, visit red-brick architecture, and soak in hot springs
  • In the morning, drive or take a high-speed train to Mile. The journey takes about 1 hour.
  • In the afternoon, visit Dongfengyun Scenic Area to see its red-brick buildings and art spaces.
  • At dusk, walk around Huquan Ecological Park and enjoy the sunset, then relax in the hot springs in the evening.
• Day 5: Leisure time in Mile and departure
  • In the morning, go to Jinping Mountain for a view over Mile, or visit the fruit market at Focheng Shangdu.
  • At noon, try Mile braised chicken rice noodles, then leave according to your return schedule.

Must-Try Local Foods

Transport and Accommodation Tips

• Getting there and around the region: High-speed trains from Kunming South Railway Station run to Mengzi, Jianshui, and Mile, with journey times of about 1–2 hours. To go to Yuanyang, transfer in Jianshui or Mengzi to a chartered car or long-distance bus.
• Local transport: Jianshui Old Town is good for walking or renting an electric scooter. For nearby sights such as Bisezhai and Dongfengyun, taxis or self-driving are more convenient, as public transport is relatively limited.
• Where to stay:
  • Mengzi: Areas around Nanhu Park or Dongda Street are convenient for dining and transport, with good-value accommodation.
  • Jianshui: Consider guesthouses near Chaoyang Tower in the old town or around Hanlin Street first. From there, you can walk to the old streets and snack shops.
  • Mile: If you plan to soak in hot springs, choose the Huquan area. If you prefer architecture and scenic photo spots, consider a design-style guesthouse near Dongfengyun.
  • Yuanyang: You can choose a characterful guesthouse near the terraces. Some accommodations offer views of the rice terraces and sea of clouds from the room.

Travel Tips and Things to Note

• Best time to visit: November to March is the irrigation season for the Yuanyang Rice Terraces, when the scenery is at its best. Spring, from February to April, has relatively comfortable weather and is suitable for visiting Mile and Jianshui.
• Temperature difference and sun protection: Honghe Prefecture has a noticeable temperature difference between morning and evening, so bring a jacket. The UV rays are strong, so take sun protection measures.
• Respect local customs: Honghe Prefecture is home to many ethnic minority communities. Follow local customs when visiting, do not step on farmland, and do not enter villagers’ homes without permission.
• Border documents: Bring your ID card when visiting Hekou Port. If you plan to cross the border to Lao Cai in Vietnam, you will also need to arrange your passport and visa in advance.
• Avoid peak crowds: During holidays such as National Day, popular attractions can be crowded. Try to set off before 8 a.m. and avoid the midday period where possible.