West Region

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    Baoshan and Dehong are neighboring Prefectures in Western Yunnan province. Both Prefectures have international borders with Burma. Baoshan has the larger population, 2.5 million mostly Han and Yi people. Dehong has 950,000 people more than half of which belong to the Dai, Jingpo, Achang, Lisu and Deang nationalities. Baoshan City is the capital of Baoshan Prefecture and tends to me a jumping off point for other areas in the region, most particularly Tengchong, five hours away. Dehong has a number of interesting cities, including Ruili City, Mangshi the capital and Wanding City. While Baoshan/Tengchong is best known for their volcanic parks and hot springs, Dehong offers subtropical rainforests and scenic river spots.
    Local airports include Baoshan airport (BSD) and Dehong Mangshi Airport (LUM), located in southwest Mangshi.  Air China and China Eastern provide flights to Kunming, Chengdu, Guiyang and Xishuangbanna, among other places from Mangshi. Minibuses connect you with Ruili and other spots from there.

Baoshan
    Baoshan City is located in southwest Yunnan bordered by Burma in the south and northwest. It is 310 miles from Kunming. Historically, it was the first residence for settlers in western Yunnan. Its population of 2.5 million is made up primarily of Han and Yi people. More than ninety percent of its territory is mountainous with the remaining area plateaus, plains and basins. Baoshan weather is moderate throughout the year but the temperature may vary greatly during the day.
   
    Baoshan is a small city that's easily explored on foot. The city still retains some of its historically important and traditional wooden architecture buildings. Baoshan is known for its excellent coffee, leather goods and silk. It is also the home of Reclining Buddha Baoshan Tea, a famous brand within China. Most of Baoshan's historic attractions lie outside the city and are easily reached by hiring a car, minivan or public bus.

The most popular tourists stops are:
• Tengchong is a five-hour bus ride from Baoshan. Scenic sites and activities include Rehai Hot Sea, Volcano Park, Heshun and Yunfeng Mountain. See Tengchong for more information.
• Ruili is an excellent to spot to enjoy most illicit pleasures, dangers and everyday Burmese trade. This border town has a laid back multinational exterior (Burmese, Indian, Pakistani and Thai) with a subtext only you can define for yourself. Ruili is 160 miles from Baoshan. See Ruili for more information

• Wofo Temple is 10 miles north of Baoshan city and has the biggest jade Buddha in China. The temple was first built during the Tang Dynasty. The jade Buddha is 20 feet long. There are infrequent minibuses from Baoshan, or you could try taking any bus to Banqiao and looking for local transport from there.

Dehong
    Dehong is 500 miles from Kunming and is accessible by bus or plane; there are no trains to the region at the time of this writing. It borders Burma on three sides. The Prefecture encompasses two major cities; Ruili and Wanding and four counties; Luxi, Longchun, Yingjiang and Lianghe. The total population is just over a million inhabitants, almost evenly divided between Han and minority people. Dai and Jingpo make up the majority of the minority people. You will be able to observe the customs and culture of the Dai people, Dai style food and the lighter and darker side of Burmese border trade, which can make for interesting sightseeing. On the lighter side the area has a reputation for the highest quality and lowest cost jade and jewelry. The literature reads “a place of mysterious Buddhist temples and gold pagodas, homeland of the peacock and sea of songs and dances, a pearl on Yunnan's western border”.  And the truth is, with the thousands of acres of Banyan trees, Buddhist temples and pagodas, subtropical ambience and Burmese border trade there is an undercurrent of mystery in this rather curious area that definitely makes it worth a visit.
    Rainy season runs from May to October. April to September are the hottest months with an average temperature of about 80. This leaves November to March as the driest most comfortable time to plan your visit.