It's a strange sensation. I'm travelling in China but hearing little Putonghua and coming across few Chinese restaurants. Yunnan province, famous for its flowers, hams, organic mushrooms, tea, sweet potato and, increasingly, Western-style cheeses, is home to more than 50 ethnic minorities.
Here in Jinghong, close to the border with Myanmar, the Dai people are the majority. Signs are bilingual, showing Dai script alongside Chinese characters, and Dai cuisine is entirely reflected in the wet market: fresh, dry and powdered chilli; sour tamarind still in their pods; and a myriad aromatic fresh herbs. The climate too, is more southeast Asian, and the architectural detailing Thai-Lana.
Ten years ago Jinghong was just a one-drag town, but it has always enjoyed wealth thanks to the nearby rubber plantations. It is also close to the town of Puer in the part of southern Yunnan where tea originated.
Today, the city has become a stop on the tourist trail, and Jinghong has boutiques and fancy looking, low-rise apartment buildings, but remains remarkably peaceful. Barely a horn is honked, and avenues are tree-lined, creating a lovely environment to enjoy the prevalent alfresco dining.
Below are five of the best places to enjoy Jinghong.
Mei Mei Cafe (107/108 Jingland Tea Centre, Mendong Rd)
A fashionable cafe with interesting art inside, it is a great point of reference, as every taxi driver has heard of it, and it is in the attractive old part of town, surrounded by tea houses where the tea ritual can be experienced. Expats have their meetings here over cappuccino, backpackers roll up for seasonal juices and smoothies, and locals ensure a thriving lunch business.
