Sightseeing in Tengchong:

Tengchong has a stunning volcanic landscape that includes natural volcanoes, hot springs, and volcanic lakes.

Volcanic Landscape:

Tengchong County is a quiet place, but in the last 500 years the area has registered over 70 earthquakes measuring at least five on the Richter scale. As a geothermal area, Tengchong is second only to Yangbajing in Tibet.

The county itself lies on the lava lands of Leifeng Mountain.More than 80 steam springs, hot springs and heat springs have been found in Tengchong. The geothermal heat creates  different landscapes: Carbonic acid and sulfur springs that boast luxuriant vegetation; sulfuric acid springs where no grass will grow; and poisionous carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide rich springs.

A casual stroll around the small volcanoes, followed by a dip in a hot spring give you a good taste for the area.

Volcano Park

In Tengchong there is a saying: "Nine out of 10 mountains have no head." With 97 volcanoes in the area, this is no exaggeration.

In the volcano park, there are eight well-preserved volcanoes from the Cenozoic era. The foremost is Daying (Beat Hawk) Mountain, which sits in the middle part of the county, and has erupted many times. It is the tallest conical volcano in the area, rising 2,614 meters, and is surrounded by over 70 volcanoes of different sizes.

About 10 kilometers to the north stands Dakong (Senior Empty) Mountain, Xiaokong (Junior Empty) Mountain and Heikong (Black Empty) Mountain. Dakong Mountain has been dormant for several centuries so the center is empty, but the rim offer views of the surrounding landscape.

The environment in Tengchong includes many different types of volcanoes, as well as magnificent scenes such as volcanic lakes, crater lakes and lava cascades.

Taken together, these comprise the biggest natural museum of dormant volcanoes in China.

Admission fee: 20 yuan

Activities: visitors can take a fire balloon at the foot of the volcano. Cost: 100 yuan.

Transportation: Take bus route C (10 yuan) or hire a taxi (around 40 yuan).

A World of Heat

Visitors cannot miss a trip to Rehai (Hot Sea).

The main attraction there is called Dagunguo (Big Boiling Bowl), a large spring that reaches a temperature of 97 degrees centigrade. Locals offer visitors eggs cooked in the spring's heat. Hot water is ejected intermittently into the nearby streams with a thunderous roar. The water in the hot spring contains a wide variety of minerals.
Among the numerous smaller springs and geysers, the park also has cooler springs suitable for a swim, including Frog Mouth, Lion Head, Pearl Spring and Drum-beat Spring. The waterfall on the Zaotang River is also an attraction.

Overall, Tengchong has more than 80 hot springs and nearly every village has one of its own.

Admission fee: 20 yuan

Transportation: Take the bus in the county or a taxi. (Both cost 5 yuan/person). It's not recommended to hire a bicycle since it is quite tiresome to ride on the winding mountain road.

Lodging: Tengchong has some hotels but it is better to reserve a room in the busy season. Standard rooms are 268 yuan but can be bargained down to about 90 yuan in the low season.

Hotels:

Rehaimingzhuren Hotel: (Tel) 0875-5149888 Standard room: 220 yuan

Rehairen Hotel: (Tel) 0875-5150366 Standard room: 180 yuan (Spa included)

Laogunguo Inn: 10 yuan. (This one is cheaper but visitors have to walk about 10 minutes to get to the park)

Yunfeng Mountain 

Yunfeng Mountain is a Taoist mountain situated near the Myanmar border. Visitors have the option to reach the top either by hiking or taking a cable car. There are a number of small pagodas scattered around the mountain, while most people head for the main temple of Yunfeng Si at the peak. At the mountain's summit, visitors are offered a panoramic view of the area.

Admission fee: 10 yuan, plus 54 yuan for the cable car

Beihai National-level Protected Wetland

The Beihai swamp is a national protected wetland. The broad expanse of paddyfields and lakes, bamboo-made bridges and little boats sliding along the river create a quiet and peaceful scene.

The surface of the lakes is covered by one-meter-thick grass decorated with many wild flowers, but be careful of drowning while stepping on the grass; the water beneath is about seven meters deep. Boating on the river and fishing is a good way to relax.

Admission Fee: 20 yuan

Transportation: the wetland is 12 kilometers away from the county. A minibus costs 5yuan person. It is about 20 minutes bus ride.

Heshun Township

Heshun Township is the well-known hometown of many overseas Chinese. The unique hybrid culture makes it an great choice for visitors touring Tengchong.

Transportation: The township is only four kilometers away from Tengchong. Hiring a taxi costs 10 yuan.

Lodging: it is quite cheap to stay in Heshun. It costs about 10 to 20 yuan. 


Tomb of State Funeral

The tomb of State Funeral lies one kilometer southwest of the county. It is the largest, and best-preserved cemetery of KMT martyrs from the anti-Japanese and Second World War. In 1944, one of the fiercest battles in the eight-year long war took place here with Chinese Expedition Force's counter offensive to retake Tengchong from the hands of the Japanese. Over 3,000 Chinese soldiers died in the 44-day action.

Admission Fee: 10 yuan

Transportation: The tomb of State Funeral lies within the county; visitors can walk to the site.

General Travel Info:

--The nearest airport is in Baoshan, a two-hour bus ride from Tengchong. Visitors may take a flight from Kunming to Baoshan or a 17-hour bus ride.

Beginning April 28, travelers in Guangdong may take a direct flight from Guangzhou to Baoshan.

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