Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion (Jǐngzhēn Bājiǎo Tíng, 景真八角亭) is a Buddhist landmark in Xishuangbanna. This area is home to numerous faithful adherents of Buddhism on account of its close proximity to the birthplace of Buddha (also known as Sakyamuni). To pay homage to Buddha, residents here constructed this temple in 1701 (1063 on the Dai calendar), the shape of which was said to be inspired by the octagonal shape of Sakyamuni's golden cap. The temple is composed of three parts: the base is made from brick, the body and roof are fashioned from wood. Delicate golden patterns adorn the outer walls of the temple and inside stands an impressive golden statue of Buddha. The roof of the pavilion is an impressive eight-sectioned, ten-tiered roof rising steeply to a round cupola, topped by a 4-meter-high iron pole. Copper bells hang around the roof. On the 15th and 30th of every ... more >>

The Mandian Waterfall (Màndiǎn Pùbù, 曼典瀑布) is arguably the most spectacular of its kind in Xishuangbanna. Water crashes down from its limestone edge at a height of 30 m (98 ft), into a 10-meter-wide (33 ft) silver pool. During the rainy season, the noise created by the tumbling water is almost unbearable. On the right side of the cliff there's a gigantic tree with roots laid bare from years of erosion. Surrounding the waterfall is lush virgin forest, boasting tropical plants as well as various species of wild animals.  A pleasant, 2.5 km (1.5 mi) walk from Mandian Village (Màndiǎn Cūn, 曼典村), an enclave of traditional Dai architecture, this is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, including the walk to and from the village. Yunnan guide | Xishuangbanna guide | Xishuangbanna attractions Xishuangbanna flights (Jinghong) | Xishu... more >>

Mange Temple (Màngé Fó Sì, 曼阁佛寺) stands beside the beautiful Lancang River (Láncāng Jiāng, 瀾滄江) to the east of Jinhong, the capital city of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. The temple contains 16 round columns that support the Dai-style roof. Sculptures of small white elephants are carefully carved here and stand on guard at the temple eaves. Entering the gate of the temple, visitors are met with a 4 m (13 ft) high sculpture of "Paso" (Sakyamuni) standing on a large throne. Golden dragons, elephants, gods and peacocks are carefully painted on the temple roof and walls and colorful flags hang from each beam, embroidered with fairy tales and various animal patterns symbolizing good luck. Yunnan guide | Xishuangbanna guide | Xishuangbanna attractions Xishuangbanna flights (Jinghong) | Xishuangbanna hotels (Jinghong) Xishu... more >>

The Tropical Plant Research Institute (Rèdài Ahíwù Yánjiū Suǒ, 热带植物研究所) is one of the major attractions in Xishuangbanna. Situated on Hulu Island (Húlu Dǎo, 葫芦岛), the gardens here contain 3,000 different types of plants. The whole area is incredibly scenic. Surrounded by rivers and mountains, birdsong provides the soundtrack as you work your way through a wealth of rare and unusual plants, trees and flowers. One of the most fascinating species in the garden, the Dragon Blood Tree (Lóng Xuè Shù, 龙血树) secretes a viscous, deep red sap that can be used to stop bleeding and promote blood circulation. Yunnan guide | Xishuangbanna guide | Xishuangbanna attractions Xishuangbanna flights (Jinghong) | Xishuangbanna hotels (Jinghong) Xishuangbanna tours & activities Xishuangbanna on the Ch... more >>

The White Feilong Pagodas (Fēilóng Bái Tǎ, 飞龙白塔) are situated on the top of Feilong Mountain (Fēilóng Shān, 飞龙山), 67 km (42 mi) southeast of Jinghong in Damenglong (Dàměnglóng, 大勐龙. The nine Hinayana pagodas are each topped with shining golden peaks. The pagodas were built in 1204 during the 56th year of the Dai calendar. Inside the pagodas are impressive sculptures, reliefs and colorful paintings that make a trip out there well worth the effort. Yunnan guide | Xishuangbanna guide | Xishuangbanna attractions Xishuangbanna flights (Jinghong) | Xishuangbanna hotels (Jinghong) Xishuangbanna tours & activities Xishuangbanna on the China Travel Blog more >>

The elephant is a symbol of good luck, might and longevity to the Dai people of Xishuangbanna. Wild elephants congregate in the aptly named Wild Elephant Valley (Yěxiàng Gǔ 野象谷) at the juncture of the western and eastern part of the Menyang Nature Reserve (Měngyǎng Zìrán Bǎohù Qū, 勐养自然保护区). In the valley, there are observation towers and walkways built in the trees for visitors to watch the elephants without disturbing their natural habitat. The best time to see these impressive beasts is at dawn or dusk. Though there are currently about 300 elephants living in the dense forest of Xishuangbanna, though there are another 20 that have been domesticated and are subject to providing entertainment (shows at 11am and 2pm daily) and tourist-friendly photo ops (RMB 10 per photo).  Yunnan guide | Xishuangbanna guide | Xishuangbanna attractions Xishuangba... more >>

Jinghong (Jǐnghóng, 景洪) is the capital of the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in the far southern tip of Yunnan Province. Xishuangbanna borders southeast Asia, and there is a noticeble Thai and Laotian influence on the region and the city. The land along the Lancang River, which becomes the Mekong River south of the Chinese border, is lush and sultry. This whole region is a biodiversity hotspot that gets washed down during the Water Splashing Festival (and torrential spring rains) every April—just like in all of the nations of southeast Asia. You can see some of the regions flora at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Flowers and Plants Garden. Jinghong is a small provincial capital and is easy to get around. The streets are lined with palm trees and traffic is slightly slower than in other places around China. There is a decent sized foreign population here, so f... more >>

Some 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Jinghong down the scenic Mekong River—known as "Láncāng Jiāng" (瀾滄江) before it crosses the border out of China—the town of Ganlanba (Gǎnlǎnbà, 橄榄坝), also known as the "Olive Plains" has been home to generations of Dai, one of China's 56 official ethnic minorities. After centuries of quietly making a living off of fishing, producing brightly colored textiles and cultivating the rich farmland along the Mekong, the Dai themselves are now a money-making attraction, as streams of Chinese tourists come to experience a theme park-styled version of Dai life complete with daily Dai Water Splashing Festivals (normally a once-a-year event) at the Galanba Dai Minority Park. The Dai are culturally and linguistically related to the Thai people, and visitors to Galanba and other Xishuangbanna destinations certainly ex... more >>

Located within the broader area of Ganlanba, or the "Olive Plains", the Ganlanba Dai Minority Park (Gǎnlǎnbà Dǎizú Mínzú Yuán, 橄榄坝傣族民族园) consists of five villages who chose to throw in their lot together and turn themselves into a bustling tourist park promoting the local Dai culture. Inside you'll find lots of traditional-style buildings (though newly built) and colorful Dai costumes at every turn. Large performance areas for dance and "cultural shows," plus three daily "Water Splashing Festivals" ensure it stays more Disneyland than Dai village. While you're unlikely to feel transported into a genuine enclave of daily Dai life (wandering the streets and coconut plantations beyond the park's walls is a better bet for that), it is a quick and easy way to soak up a little of the lively (but wet) celebrations that... more >>

The Xishuangbanna Tropical Flowers and Plants Garden (Xīshuāngbǎnnà Rèdài Huāhuì Yuán, 西双版纳热带花卉园) just outside Jinghong puts a tropical spin on the Chinese garden tour. Covering some 80 hectares with thousands of species of tropical plants, paths wind through the gardens and around a series of ponds, themselves populated by fish and aquatic plants. Gardens are organized into different collections of plants, like the Rare and Endangered Plants Area (Zhēnxī Bīnwēi Zhíwù Qū, 珍稀濒危植物区) or the Bonsai Sub-garden (Pénjǐng Yuán, 盆景园). Yunnan guide | Xishuangbanna guide | Xishuangbanna attractions Xishuangbanna flights (Jinghong) | Xishuangbanna hotels (Jinghong) Xishuangbanna tours & activities Xishuangbanna on the China Travel Blog more >>