As Thailand loses appeal for Chinese travelers due to safety concerns, a laid-back Yunnan city is drawing foodies, festival-goers, and selfie-takers in search of Southeast Asian vibes within China's borders
The reception girl at my hotel in Mangshi, Yunnan, giggled as she handed me mango sweets as a welcome gift. “You’re so lucky to arrive before the Water-Splashing Festival,” she said. The price would more than triple, jumping from the 180 RMB I paid to nearly 600 RMB during the holiday period, as huge crowds fly in from all over the country.
Thailand and the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan province are typically the go-to destinations for the April festival, celebrated by the Dai ethnic group as their New Year. However, in recent years, Mangshi—a small Yunnan town bordering Myanmar—has emerged as a popular alternative, thanks partly to direct flights from 21 Chinese cities.
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