Xishuangbanna is one of the eight autonomous prefectures in Yunnan Province, with its capital city being Jinghong. It boasts a tropical climate with flowers blooming all year round and fruits ripening throughout the seasons. This region is known as one of the most well-preserved tropical ecosystems in China, earning it the nicknames ‘Kingdom of Plants’ and ‘Kingdom of Animals’. Proximity to Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar has influenced its architectural style, making it similar to these nations. Xishuangbanna, like its Southeast Asian counterparts, practices Buddhism, and its beliefs, architecture, customs, attire, and culinary culture all reflect a strong Southeast Asian flair, leading to its endearing nickname ‘Little Thailand’ within China.
1. Xishuangbanna Travel Weather In Xishuangbanna, the average temperature in March and April hovers around 26 degrees Celsius. The region is abundant in sunlight and warmth during this season, so don’t forget to bring a sun umbrella! It’s a great place to escape the cold, and a short-sleeved shirt will suffice.
Electric cart: 40 yuan per person.
Dai Garden is the only folk ecological tourism boutique scenic spot in Xishuangbanna that concentrates on displaying the history, culture, religion, sports, architecture, living customs, clothing, diet, and production life of the Dai ethnic group. It is composed of five well-preserved Dai natural villages, namely Manjiang, Manchunman, Manting, Manzha, and Manga. No matter which village you enter, you will see typical Burmese pagodas and traditional Dai bamboo houses, feeling the rich Dai culture. The spectacular, exquisite, and ancient temples and pagodas indicate the long-standing Buddhism. The Manting Temple and Manting Temple in the garden have a history of over a thousand years, accumulating rich and profound Theravada Buddhist culture. No3. Wild Elephant Valley (Ticket price: Adult full price ticket: 60 yuan per person, half-price preferential ticket: 30 yuan per person.) Wild Elephant Valley, with crisscrossing rivers and dense forests, presents a tropical rainforest landscape, where protected animals such as Asian elephants, wild cattle, green peacocks, and macaques inhabit. The first thing to see here is the tropical rainforest; there is a 4,000-meter-long walking path winding through the tropical rainforest, where you can stroll and feel the breath of the tropical rainforest. Wild Elephant Valley includes a variety of experience activities, one of which is to watch Asian elephant performances up close. There are also projects such as the Asian Elephant Museum and the Asian Elephant Germplasm Breeding Base. After seeing and experiencing the huge body and living habits of Asian elephants, do not miss the Asian Elephant Museum. No4. Original Forest Park (Ticket price: Adult full price ticket: 45 yuan per person, half-price preferential ticket: 25 yuan per person. Electric cart: 50 yuan per person.) Located 8 kilometers east of Jinghong and north of the Lancang River, Original Forest Park is the closest primeval forest to Jinghong City in the whole state. Its natural advantages combine the magical natural scenery of the primeval forest with rich folk customs, highlighting three major thematic features: ‘tropical ravine rainforest’, ‘wildlife display mainly based on peacock culture’, and ‘folk customs display mainly based on the Hani – Aini people’. No5. Gaozhuang Xishuang Scenic Area (Ticket price: Adult full price ticket: 0 yuan per person, half-price preferential ticket: 0 yuan per person.) Gaozhuang Xishuang Scenic Area is located in the core of the Lancang River Nationality Style Tourism Resort, adjacent to the Lancang River, and holds the gateway position of Xishuangbanna, making it a must-visit place for tourists arriving in Xishuangbanna. Gaozhuang Xishuang is a Dai language term, which means ‘nine towers and twelve villages’. The central pagoda is eye-catching and worth a visit. Gaozhuang Xishuang Scenic Area is a tourism area where you can eat, stay, and play. Xishuangbanna Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market has become very popular, but the evening Starlight Night Market, the Mekong River, and the Great Golden Pagoda are a perfect match! The evening glow is also not to be missed. Looking back at the Great Golden Pagoda from the Starlight Night Market, you will definitely be amazed.This is the correct way to open Xishuangbanna.
No.6. Manting Park (Ticket prices: Full-price ticket for adults: 40 yuan/person. Half-price concession ticket: 20 yuan/person. Battery car: 40 yuan/person.). Manting Park is the oldest park in Xishuangbanna and also a natural village-style park. It used to be the imperial garden of the Dai kings and has a history of more than 1,300 years. The scenic area embodies three major thematic features: ‘Dai royal culture, Buddhist culture, and Dai folk culture’. The tropical plants in the park are lush and beautiful, the air quality is very good, and the architecture combines all the characteristics of Xishuangbanna. Here, you can experience a different exotic atmosphere. In the evening, watch the song and dance performances of ethnic minorities. The ‘Lancang River – Mekong River Night Song and Dance Bonfire Party’ is performed in the park. The scene is very beautiful, the dances are graceful, and there are also bonfire parties and lantern floating activities. 5. Xishuangbanna tourism delicacies. What are the delicious foods when traveling to Xishuangbanna? The Dai people believe that eating sour foods makes the heart refreshing, eyes bright, helps digestion, and can relieve fever. Eating sweet foods can increase calories and relieve fatigue. Spicy foods can stimulate appetite and prevent colds. Eating raw foods can ensure nutrition. The following are the characteristic delicacies of Xishuangbanna tourism, recommended to everyone. Dried beef jerky, pickled cowhide, purple rice pineapple rice, bamboo tube rice, fried cowhide, hand-held rice, sa pie, spring chicken feet, Wantai – Lao iced coffee, Manfeilong roast chicken, Luoluo Ice House, Kumari Nepalese flavor, Hongyaxiang – Dai cuisine garden, Yunweifang native chicken rice noodles, Chengziqiao Flavor Garden, Mazha barbecue, etc.
