Overview

Situated in the southwest of Yunnan, Ruili bores on Burma in the west. Historically, Ruili was called 'Mengmao', meaning 'the misty place'. The seasons here are divided into dry season and rainy season. It is cool and misty in dry season, while stuffy in rainy season. The subtropical climate here makes Ruili a kingdom of plants and animals.

As an interior border port, Ruili is the gateway connecting China with the South Asian and Southeast Asian nations.

The main tourist zones in Ruili include the Terrestrial Heat Volcano in Tengchong, which covers an area of 130 square km, the Folding Waterfall, the River Ruili-River Daying Tourist Zone, with Burma Temple, Karst physiognomy, and original zoology community.

Attractions:

Hangu Pass: First established during the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC), Hangu Pass once played an great role in history as a pass of vital importance between ancient Luoyang and Chang'an (Xian). This grand building complex is 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of Lingbao City. If one man guards the pass, ten thousand are unable to pass through. Additionally, Taichu Palace in the building complex is said to be the place where Lao Zi, the founder of Taoism, created his greatest masterpiece Daodejing (Tao Te Ching), commonly translated as the 'Classic of the Virtue'. So, Hangu Pass is also an important site for Lao Zi's believers to commemorate him.

Sanmenxia Dam: 30 kilometers (19 miles) from downtown Sanmenxia, the dam, begun in 1957, is the first hydro project on the main stream of the Yellow River in China. The Yellow River zigzags 120 kilometers (75 miles) though the city with the most spectacular scenery in the dam area.

Yawu Mountain is a famous Taoist site located in Yuling Town of Lingbo City. The Yawu Mountain scenic area is the largest natural reserve of Henan, and its main peak is the highest point in the province. Large temple fair will be held every June. Main sights include precipitous peaks and mountain pass, as well as some grand Taoist buildings, like Nantian Gate, Yuhuang Hall, Tianyi Palace and so on.