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 holds a vital location linking
the landway and waterway transportation between China hinterland
and Southeast Asia. In 1896, it has been opened up as a commerce
port, being one of the three towns of trading importance in Yunnan.
The Pu'er City is changed from Simao City, which is famous for
the Pu'er Tea.
Physical Features: As to the terrain, Pu'er
lies at the southwest edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, belonging
to the south section of the Hengduan Mountains. Within the territory,
mountains and rivers line up southward, alternating with each
other tensely in the north and gradually dispersing to the southeast
and the southwest. Medium mountains and valleys between them constitute
nearly ninety percent the city's territory.
Climatic Features: Enjoying a plateau monsoon
climate at low altitude, 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 wind. It has wet season
and dry season. November is the rainy season, and the temperature
is high. The annual average temperature of the city is contained
between 15.3
C
(59.5
F)
and 20.2
C
(68.4
F).
When to Go: all the year round
Local Highlights: Pu'er assembles many ethnic
minorities, such as Lahu, Hani, Wa and Yi. Varied customs make
the city a colorful city. Eating habits, ceremonies, costumes
and folk legends can all be lures for people's 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.
Special Local product: Pu'er Tea, bamboo shoot,
edible fungi, purple rice, mango
Scenic
Spots:
China Pu'er Tea Exhibition Garden: Tea culture
is an attractive tourist factor of Pu'er City. The 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 to comprehensively
show the history of Pu'er Tea, and how to plant and produce as
well.
Awa Mountain: Sea cloud in winter and spring
is the most fascinating scenes of the Awa Mountain in Ximeng.
After the clouds disperse, bamboo house in villages, terraced
fields and Musa trees are exposed and the Awa Mountain looks more
tranquil and beautiful.
Tourist Tips:
1. 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 getting
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 station. Road is the main way for
transportation. Pu'er is five hours' drive from Kunming.