TIRED of Shenzhen’s fast pace? Why not take a trip to some small towns far from the big metropolis and enjoy a slow, relaxed way of life? Here are some places with few visitors and a great environment for slowing down in a rural and quiet atmosphere.

Mangshi, Yunnan

Mangshi is a town under the jurisdiction of Luxi, capital of the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in southwestern China’s Yunnan Province. Visitors to Mangshi will find the language, costumes and ways of life resemble those of Myanmar, Laos or Thailand.

The town has an area of 10 square kilometers and a population of 60,000.

Scenic spots include temples of Hinayana Buddhism: Wuyun Temple, Foguang Temple, Temple in a Banyan Tree and Sati Temple. Other beautiful spots include the Sanxian natural cave, local hot springs and Mangjiu Dam.

Bodhi Monastery is one of the most famous places in Mangshi. It’s situated in the middle section of Xinan Road, a site that dates to the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The original monastery was destroyed in a war. A cycle of repeated reconstructions and destructions followed. The existing monastery was built in 1978. The roof features the Han style, but the monastery’s architecture as a whole, especially the balustrades and railings, are of the Dai style. The monastery is well-known in Southeast Asia and the Dai areas of Yunnan.

Everything in Mangshi is slow. In the neighboring villages, a meal can last for a whole day. Delicious, Dai-style food is a must-try for visitors.

Transport: Fly to Kunming from Shenzhen International Airport and transfer to a flight to Mangshi.

Delicacies: Lemon water, barbeques, pickled chicken feet, dried beef and fruit juice.

Tengchong, Yunnan

Tengchong County, a vital link on the ancient southwestern Silk Road, is in western Yunnan Province and borders Myanmar on its northwest side. Tengchong’s diverse ethnicities include Hans, Dais, Lisus, Huis, Was and others.

Tengchong is one of the earliest developed regions and its history can be traced back to the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 25).

The county abounds in geothermal energy. There are more than 80 steaming hot springs, with piping-hot natural water so prevalent that the county is said to be a geothermal museum.

Tengchong County also is noted for its rich tourism resources and offers national-level scenic resorts. Worth mentioning among the historical relics and scenic spots are clustered volcanoes, clustered hot springs, the Relic of Neolithic Culture, Laifeng Monastery, the philosopher Ai Siqi’s former residence, the Heshun Library, Dieshuihe Waterfall and Taijiqiao Bridge, Wengchanggong Taoist Temple and Shuiyingsi Temple.

Famous local products include jade ornaments and jewelry, Chinese medicine, “xuanzhi” paper — used for calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting, small hats of split bamboo, and rattan works.

Transport: Fly to Kunming from Shenzhen International Airport and take a flight or long-distance bus to Tengchong.

Delicacies: Dried rice noodles, tea oil, bamboo shoots, bean powder, rice fruit, pickled vegetables, fresh vegetables, ginkgo. (Wang Yuanyuan)