A journey along the Chinese border

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China has the longest land border in the world totaling more than 22,000 kilometers. Many of the border towns are diverse and share both Chinese and foreign characteristics. CGTN has compiled a list of China's top 10 most beautiful border cities and towns for tourists.

Let's kick off our journey in Ruili, another famous border city bordering Myanmar in southwest China's Yunnan Province. Known as a “Natural Forest Park,” Ruili entice countless tourists at home and abroad with its unique Dai and Jingpo ethnic culture.

Ruili River

Ruili River is like a white jade belt winding through the mountains and fields in Ruili. With 20 kilometers of its total length being the borderline between China and Myanmar, Ruili River is a connection between the two countries, feeding almost a million people. The river is 53 kilometers long with a width of around 200 meters.

Ruili River is also called Nanmao River in the Dai language, meaning foggy river. Home to over 600 species of plants and 216 species of vertebrates, it preserves complete vegetation types, abundant wildlife resources, as well as beautiful natural landscapes. Floating along the river, you will be amazed by the gorgeous scenery along the banks. Rubber trees, banana trees and different tropical floral will bring you to a true paradise.

An aerial view of Ruili River in Ruili City, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. /VCG Photo

Moli Tropical Rainforest Scenic Area

Located 20 kilometers northeast of Ruili City, Moli Tropical Rainforest Scenic Area is a natural oxygen bar, and attracts flocks of visitors.

The main landscape here is a combination of original tropical gully rainforest vegetation and numerous waterfalls. There are more than 1,500 species of wild plants, flowers and 479 kinds of spices in the scenic area. The most famous spot is a Buddha's footprint which is as long as nearly one meter.

Moli Tropical Rainforest Scenic Area in Ruili City, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. /VCG Photo

Tips:

Transportation: Tourists are recommended to rent a car to Moli Tropical Rainforest Scenic Area from Ruili City.

Entrance fee: 50 yuan (7.45 U.S. dollars)

Opening time: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

One Tree Forest

One Tree Forest is one of the hottest tourist spots in Ruili. On the surface, it may look like a common forest park, but in fact, the whole forest is formed by a large banyan tree that's over 900 years old, and has 34 aerial roots pinning into the earth.

The numerous aerial roots hanging down from above intertwine with each other, forming an aerial roots jungle, thus forming the One Tree Forest.

One Tree Forest scenic spot in Ruili City, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. /VCG Photo

Tips:

Entrance fee: 50 yuan (7.45 U.S. dollars)

Opening time: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Water Splashing Festival

The annual Water Splashing Festival, the most important festival of the Dai people, falls during their New Year celebrations (around mid-April) according to the Dai Calendar.

The festival usually lasts for three to four days with a lot of activities, such as water-splashing, Kongming Lantern-flying, “Bathing the Buddha” ritual, dragon boat racing and peacock dancing.

In Dai culture, pouring water on others is an act that shows your blessings and good wishes. It is believed that water can wash away bad luck. Therefore, the more water splashed on someone, the luckier he/she will be in the coming Dai New Year.

Water is sprayed on a Dai woman during the Water Splashing Festival in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 15, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Tips:

Location: Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture

Transportation: Tourists can reach Ruili from Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province, via airplane.

(Cover: Girls splash water during the Water Splash Festival in southwest China's Yunnan Province. /VCG Photo)

2463km