An older name of Ruili is Mengmao (勐卯), derived from the Tai Nuea language "Mong Mao" (ᥝᥥᥒᥰ ᥛᥫᥒᥰ), meaning "foggy place".

64% of the population of Ruili are members of five highland and lowland ethnic minorities, including Dai, Jingpo, Deang, Lisu, and Achang.

A drier heat prevails from February till early May before the onset of the monsoon from the Indian Ocean.

Bordered by monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest, Ruili Botanical Garden is just north of the City and covers 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) of well-preserved native vegetation.

Hogood contracts farmland from smallholders, on which it plants seedlings, and then re-contracts with farmers to purchase the coffee beans at harvest.

The zone spans 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi) and is focused on developing trading, processing, agriculture resources, and tourism.

The area's import and export trade include the processing industry, local agriculture, and biological resources, which are very promising.