A Keats teacher will accompany you throughout the whole trip. You will set out from Kunming by high-speed train. Upon arrival, you will visit the [Manting Park] in Jinghong. The park has a rich history dating back over 1,300 years and was once a royal garden of the ancient Dai kings. Manting Park is a place where visitors can immerse themselves in the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region. The park is filled with lush tropical plants, including an array of flowers and trees, creating a serene environment that contrasts with the bustling city outside its boundaries.

One of the highlights of Manting Park is the opportunity to experience the culture of the local Dai people. The park often hosts cultural performances, including the famous Peacock Dance, and other traditional activities. During festivals, Manting Park becomes a center of celebration and activities, such as the Water Splashing Festival, which is an important event for the Dai people.

Later, you will look around in [Starry Night Market]. The food scene at the Starry Night Market is particularly notable. Street food vendors sell local delicacies such as barbecue skewers, Dai-style rice noodles, tropical fruits, and other regional specialties that reflect the diverse culinary influences of the area.

Distance: Around 515 Kilometers

High-speed train time: Around 3.5 hrs

Accommodation: Boutique Hotels

Meals: Not included, but will recommend local snacks

After breakfast, you and your teacher will visit the [Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden]. The XTBG is renowned for its extensive collection of tropical plants. It boasts over 13,000 species of plants, including a diverse array of native and exotic flora. The garden serves multiple functions: it is a center for botanical research and conservation, an education hub for students and scientists, and a popular tourist destination.

The garden’s layout is divided into several different sections, each dedicated to different types of plants or specific ecosystems. Visitors can explore areas such as the Rainforest Garden, Palm Garden, Medicinal Plant Garden, Rare and Endangered Plant Garden, and a section devoted to plants from the African tropics.

Then you will visit the [Mengle Great Buddha Temple]. The temple complex is an impressive example of modern Dai Theravada Buddhist architecture. It features a grand golden stupa that is visible from a distance and forms the centerpiece of the complex. This stupa is an important symbol in Theravada Buddhism and is often a focal point for worship and religious ceremonies.

Distance: 60 Kilometers

Driving Time: Around  1 hour

Accommodation: Boutique Hotels

Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

After breakfast, you and your teacher will visit the [Dai Minority Village]. It is unique for its vibrant display of the cultural and architectural diversity of the Dai and other ethnic minorities in Yunnan, China. It offers live cultural performances, interactive festivals like the Water Splashing Festival, traditional handicrafts, and authentic ethnic cuisine.

Then you will go to [Bore Temple]. The temple showcases the traditional Dai architectural style, which is influenced by the Theravada Buddhist temples found in Southeast Asia. The temple complex typically features tall, pointed roofs covered with intricate decorations and golden spires that glisten in the sun.

Distance: 28 Kilometers

Driving Time: Around  50 minutes

Accommodation: Boutique Hotels

Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner not included

After breakfast, we will take the high-speed train from Pu’er to Kunming.

Distance: Around 400 Kilometers

High-speed Train Time: Around 3 hrs