As the coffee harvest season begins, Pu’er City in Yunnan Province, known as China’s coffee capital, is buzzing with activity. The air is filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the city has become a hotspot for coffee lovers and tourists alike. With its coffee-themed manors, streets, and cultural fairs, Pu’er offers a unique blend of coffee culture and natural beauty.
Located along the Tropic of Cancer, a prime region for coffee cultivation, Pu’er is China’s leading coffee producer. In the 2023–2024 harvest season, the city produced 58,000 metric tons of raw coffee, ranking first in the country. One of Pu’er’s standout attractions is the Elephant Coffee Manor, nestled in lush green hills. Visitors can enjoy high-quality coffee while watching wild Asian elephants roam freely in their natural habitat. “It’s incredible to sit here with a cup of coffee and watch elephants grazing on the hillside. It’s an unforgettable experience,” says Huang Daxiang, an investor in the manor.
Tourists like Ma Li from Shanghai can also participate in coffee fruit picking and learn about the entire coffee-making process, from cultivation to brewing. “It was a very rewarding experience,” Ma says. The manor also offers interactive activities, such as making coffee soap and coffee bean beads, allowing visitors to explore different aspects of coffee culture. Pu’er is home to more than 20 premium coffee manors, five of which are recognized as provincial-level destinations. These manors combine coffee culture with tourism, creating a unique experience for visitors.
Lou Yuqiang, an associate researcher at the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, believes promoting coffee manors is a positive step for Yunnan’s development. “It helps extend the coffee industry chain,” he says.
Beyond the manors, Pu’er hosts coffee-themed fairs and events, showcasing local and national brands. These events often include cultural performances, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
In February, Zhang Xuanyu, a tourist from Harbin, attended a coffee-themed fair during an international coffee brewing competition in Menglian County. “I tried various coffee flavors and met coffee lovers from around the world. It was a great learning experience,” Zhang says.
The integration of coffee and tourism has significantly boosted Pu’er’s economy. During the 2025 Spring Festival holiday, the city welcomed 3.25 million tourists, a 13.71% increase from the previous year. Tourism revenues also rose by 13.21%, reaching 3.44 billion yuan ($475 million).
“The combination of coffee and tourism has become a new highlight of Pu’er’s tourism industry,” says Zhang Qiying, deputy director of the city’s culture and tourism bureau.
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