Southwest China · Yunnan
Pu'er, located in southwestern Yunnan Province, is world-famous for Pu'er tea and serves as the origin of the Ancient Tea Horse Road. With a mild and humid climate, intertwined mountains and river valleys, it boasts rich biodiversity and multi-ethnic cultures. As a fifth-tier city, Pu'er offers a leisurely pace of life, ideal for international students seeking nature and cultural immersion.
Pu'er is located in southwestern Yunnan Province, renowned as the birthplace of Pu'er tea and the starting point of the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Covering an area of 45,385 square kilometers with a permanent population of about 2.34 million, it administers one district and nine counties. The city is a multi-ethnic area, including Hani, Yi, Lahu, Wa, and other ethnic groups. Pu'er has a long history: it belonged to Ailao territory in the Han Dynasty, was established as Yinsheng Prefecture in the Tang Dynasty, and flourished in tea trade during the Ming and Qing dynasties, becoming a key hub connecting Southwest China with Southeast Asia. The economy is driven by the tea industry, tourism, modern agriculture, and green energy. The Pu'er tea value chain—from cultivation and processing to cultural promotion—forms a unique advantage. In education, Pu'er University is the main higher education institution, offering distinctive programs in tea science and ethnic studies, with exchanges and cooperation with Southeast Asian countries. Culturally, Pu'er preserves rich ethnic festivals (e.g., Hani's 'Long Table Feast'), traditional handicrafts, and ecological wisdom. The cost of living is low, air quality is excellent, and the city is highly green, making it an ideal destination for international students who enjoy tranquility, nature, and tea culture.
