Major city · China
Tengchong
Spend 2 days to see the volcano park, hot springs and Heshun Ancient Town; 1 day works if you only hit the main sights.
Tengchong is a county‑level city on Yunnan’s western edge, famous for volcanic landscapes, hot springs and the historic Heshun Ancient Town. It is reachable by air from Kunming and by long‑distance bus; there is no rail service. A short stay (1‑2 days) lets you sample the main natural attractions and a taste of the town’s cultural heritage.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season)
- Airport
- TCG
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tengchong110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tengchong, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
Show all 11 answers
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTCG Tengchong Tuofeng Airport (Flights from Kunming (~1 h); taxis from airport to city centre (~10 km (6.2 mi)).).TCG Tengchong Tuofeng Airport (Flights from Kunming (~1 h); taxis from airport to city centre (~6.2 mi (10 km)).).
- Getting aroundTaxis and Didi are the easiest for short trips; local buses connect the city centre with the volcano park, Rehai and Heshun.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café¥15–¥25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (city centre, 5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (city centre, 3.1 mi (5 km))¥30–¥40 (≈ US$5–6)
- Museum or sight ticketHot‑spring entry (Rehai)¥50 (≈ US$7)
- Budget bedGuesthouse or budget hotel, a night, per personCN¥150 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥500 (≈ US$70)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥800 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥350 (≈ US$50) · High CN¥600 (≈ US$85)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TCG Tengchong Tuofeng Airport (Flights from Kunming (~1 h); taxis from airport to city centre (~10 km (6.2 mi)).)TCG Tengchong Tuofeng Airport (Flights from Kunming (~1 h); taxis from airport to city centre (~6.2 mi (10 km)).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
Feb
not flagged
Mar
not flagged
Apr
Best
May
Best
Jun
not flagged
Jul
Avoid
Aug
Avoid
Sep
Best
Oct
Best
Nov
not flagged
Dec
not flagged
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Weather and climate
Tengchong: next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis and Didi are the easiest for short trips; local buses connect the city centre with the volcano park, Rehai and Heshun. No bike‑share network.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Baoshan (city centre)
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus from Tengchong Bus Station, ~2 h
Baoshan is the prefectural capital; good for a quick market visit.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City‑centre hotels
Options from budget guesthouses to mid‑range hotels within walking distance of bus stations and attractions.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double room1 × 1 night × CN¥500 | CN¥500 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥350 | CN¥350 |
| Round‑trip flight Kunming–Tengchong1 × CN¥1,200 · check airline schedules | CN¥1,200 |
| Long‑distance bus Kunming–Tengchong (sleeper)1 × CN¥500 · approx. US$50 | CN¥500 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × CN¥180 · check local providers | CN¥180 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥273 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥3,003 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,003≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights, visas and eSIM not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | ¥15–¥25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Hot‑spring entry (Rehai) | ¥50 (≈ US$7) |
| Volcano park entry | ¥50 (≈ US$7) |
| Taxi (city centre, 5 km) | ¥30–¥40 (≈ US$5–6) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
- No railway service – rely on bus or air.
- Bus schedules can change seasonally; confirm times at the tourist bus station.
- Hot‑spring bathing fees are separate from park entry.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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TengchongTengchong
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire/ambulance119
Embassy
US consular services are in Kunming; check the embassy website for updates.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre (taxi): ≈ ¥40–¥50, 10 km (6.2 mi) (check)≈ ¥40–¥50, 6.2 mi (10 km) (check)
- City bus (single ride): ¥2–¥3 (≈ under US$1)
- Rehai Scenic Area entry: ¥50 (≈ US$7) (hot‑spring fee extra)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 公交站在哪里？ — Where is the bus stop? (gōngjiāo zhàn zài nǎlǐ?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Toilet, please (cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tengchong. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Tengchong
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