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Pu'er

(www.travelchinaguide.com)
Updated: 2009-11-17 16:17

Location:

Situated in the northwest of Yunnan Province, Pu'er has an important location in China's southwestern boundary, neighboring Laos, Vietnam and Burma and sharing a 486 kilometers (302 miles) boundary line with these three countries. Kunming is about 550 kilometers (342 miles) from Pu’er.   

History: Pu'er is in an important location linking roadway and waterway transportation between the China hinterland and Southeast Asia. Since 1896, it has been opened up as a commerce port, being one of the three towns of trading importance in Yunnan. Pu'er City was originally called,'Simao City' and, is famous for its Pu'er Tea.   

Physical Features: As to the terrain, Pu'er lies at the southwest edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, which is in the south section of the Hengduan Mountains. Within the city, mountains and rivers run southward, alternating with each other frequently in the north and gradually dispersing to the southeast and the southwest. Medium sized mountains and valleys between them constitute nearly ninety percent the city's territory. 

Climate: Enjoying a plateau monsoon climate at low latitude, Pu'er is affected by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, the main features of its weather are mildness and humidity without strong winds. It has a wet season and a dry season. November is the rainy season, and the temperature is high. The annual average temperature of the city is usually between 15.3℃ (59.5℉) and 20.2℃ (68.4).

When to Visit: all the year round

Local Highlights: Pu'er consists of many ethnic minorities, such as Lahu, Hani, Wa and Yi. Varied customs make it a colorful city. Eating habits, ceremonies, costumes and folk legends can all be a strong attraction for people who are visiting. In addition, Pu'er City is the hometown of the well known Pu'er Tea, and Pu'er people have diversified ways of handling tea, such as bamboo tube tea, cold tea dish, earth-pot tea and baked tea; all of which you should try.

Special Local product: Pu'er Tea, bamboo shoot, edible fungi, purple rice, mango

Attractions:
ChinaPu'er Tea Exhibition Garden:Tea culture is an attractive tourist factor of Pu'er City. The exhibition garden is built on the Yingpan Mountain, 29 kilometers (18 miles) from downtown Pu'er. Against the background of a vast tea garden, it is made up of Pu'er Tea Museum, Pu’er Tea making workshop, tea-picking zone, tea appraisal garden and some other facilities which comprehensively show the history of Pu'er Tea, and of how to plant and produce as well.   

AwaMountain:Sea clouds in winter and spring is the most fascinating scene of the Awa Mountain in Ximeng County. After the clouds disperse, bamboo houses in villages, terraced fields and Musa trees are exposed and the Awa Mountain looks even more tranquil and beautiful.

Travel Tips:
1. The Simao Airport lies at the south foot of the Wuliang Mountain, 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) west of the city outskirt. At present, direct flights to Kunming, Xian and Jinan are provided. If travelling to or from other cities, visitors should transfer to Kunming first. It is 40 minutes to Pu'er.
2. Pu’er does not have train stations; buses are the main vehicle for transportation. Pu'er is about four to five hours' drive from Kunming. There are mainly two bus stations in downtown Pu'er. One is in Wuyi Lu and the new one is located in Zhenxing Nan Lu.