Xishuangbanna Travel Guide and City Tours

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Xishuangbanna is the home of the Dai people, it shares a boundary of 966 kilometers with Burma and Laos in the east, south and west, being a vital pass from China to indo-China Peninsular by land. The region sits at a lower altitude than most of Yunnan, and has a tropical climate. In addition to an abundance of plants, Xishuangbanna is home to the last few Asian elephants still in China. If you go to Xishuangbanna during April, you may experience the splendid Water-Sprinkling Festival of Dai people. 

Xishuangbanna Highlights

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is located in Menglun Township, Mengla County of Xishuangbanna. It is a comprehensive research institution engaged in biodiversity conservation and sustainable uses of plant resources, focusing on forest ecosystem ecology, conservation biology and resource plant development. The site is a gourd-shaped peninsula almost totally surrounded by the Luosuo River, a branch of the Mekong River. Still having large areas covered with tropical rain forest, it is an ideal place for studying tropical plants. Tourists can see lot of tropical plants and some rare botany.  

Wild Elephant Valley

Wild Elephants Valley lies at the crossroads between the eastern and western zones of the Mengyang Tourism Area, covers an area of 369 hectares by the Sancha River in Mengyang Town, and is situated 47 kilometers north of the city of Jinghong. Wild Elephants Valley is the place in Xishuangbanna where wild elephants move about most often and frequently. In the main scenic spot, tourists can walk about on the overhead corridor and enjoy the scene of wild elephants bathing, playing water and seeking for food. If you are lucky enough, you will get a view of those activities of wild elephants. The Wild Elephant Valley is full filled with mystery and odd. If you have a chance to pay a visit there, you will get an unforgettable experience in your laife time.

Ganlanba

Ganlanba is in the southwest Xishuangbanna, and on the east side of Lancang River (Mekong River). It’s the lowest point and the hottest place of Xishuangbanna, where are full of tropical fruits. It is also a beautiful place typical of the customs of the Dai ethnic group and tropical scenery. In Ganlanba, you can see the typical Dai Bamboo Buildings and Burmese temples in each of the villages. There is a saying that one's visit to Xishuangbanna is not complete without visiting Olive Plain. Though it has a little exaggeration to say that, it’s really worth of your tour if you arrive at Xishuangbanna.

Jingzhen Octagonal Pagoda

Jingzhen Octagonal Pagoda is located on the Jingzhen Mountain 14 km west of Menghai County, around 80km away from Jinghong city. It is the commandment hall of Zhatan Temple，a local Hinayana temple. Built in 1701, the pagoda is an architectural artwork of the Dai people. The pagoda is 21 meters high, the diameter of its base being 10 meters. It is a venue for local eminent monks to convene annual meetings. It is also known for its unique architectural style.

Transportation

By Air

Xishuangbanna Jinghong Airport is 5kms away from the downtown, and is the second largest airport of Yunnan province at present. Nowadays, there are domestic flights to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, and international flight to Bangkok.

By Bus

At present, people can drive from Kunming to Xishuangbanna through the express way. From Kunming to Xishuangbanna takes about 9hours, and the price is about CNY180-CNY200.

At present, there is no railway station in Xishuangbanna.

Tips

Local Food

Dai cuisine is famous in Yunnan, especially the glutinous rice, bake meats and Blang’s cuisine. 
Puer Tea, coffee, tropical fruits and medical materials and son on.

Best time to Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna is a place where has no winter, the lowest temperature is 16℃ at January. So it’s available for tour all year around. However, the best time to Xishuangbanna is from November to the next April, because during these months neither very hot nor very cold.

>> read more about best time to Xishuangbanna

Activities at Xishuangbanna

When you travel Xishuangbanna and if you are lucky enough, you will get the chance to experience the Dai people’s Water- Splashing Festival. The Water- Splashing Festival is held during 13-15 April fixed in Western calendar. The “Water-splashing Festival” is the biggest event for them. They splash water onto each other meaning best wishes. If arrive in time for the Water-splashing Festival, join in the local people and enjoy in the ‘water fight’. It will give you an exciting experience.