How to travel freely in Xishuangbanna

If you want to visit Xishuangbanna, there are many attractions to choose from. You can experience the following attractions. These are all very famous local attractions. The environment in Xishuangbanna is super good and suitable for winter. travel. Beautiful scenic spots

After leaving Jinghong City, the virgin forest is very green and the tropical style of Xishuangbanna is right in front of you. The Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is worth spending a whole day visiting; even if you can't see wild elephants in the Wild Elephant Valley, it is a rare experience to have a bird's-eye view of the primeval forest from the semi-enclosed high-altitude cable car; other Dai villages along the Lancang River are also beautiful. There’s nothing better than a cycling tour. Traveling through the tropical rainforest

Wangtianshu Scenic Area

Ticket/combined ticket 75/198 yuan; 8:30～18:00

As the only scenic spot at 21° north latitude In the tropical rainforest area, you cannot miss the beauty of the rainforest when visiting Xishuangbanna. The forest coverage rate in Mengla County is as high as 86.24%. The hinterland of the rainforest reserve is densely forested, and the rich and diverse flora and fauna are impressive. The discovery of the Sky Tree has made China one of the countries with the most complete forest types in the world.

The canopy corridor is the core attraction of Wangtianshu Scenic Area. This 500-meter-long suspension bridge, with a maximum height of 36 meters, is hung on dozens of huge sky-gazing trees. It was originally built for scholars to observe the canopy of sky-gazing trees. Now it provides tourists with a novel observation perspective when visiting the rainforest.

Since the Tertiary Period, the paleotropical climate in this area has not experienced drastic changes. Here you can see cycads that once dominated the earth at the same time as dinosaurs, magnolias, the oldest among angiosperms, Four trees, eight treasure trees, etc. Typical tropical landscapes such as strangulation and large roots can be seen everywhere.

Mengyuan Wonderland

Mengyuan Chengzi Village, Mengla County

Ticket fee 120 yuan; 8:30～18:00

Although 2009 It was only developed into a scenic spot in 2001, but Mengyuan Wonderland has been a holy land of the Dai people for thousands of years. In the past, it was only open to the public on Fengta Day. In addition to the well-developed rainforest plank roads for tourists to walk on, Mengyuan Wonderland provides a number of rainforest adventure routes as well as rock climbing, camping and other activities for people who like outdoor adventures.

Many people will choose to walk through 6 kilometers of tropical rainforest to reach Yaozhai, or climb the thousand-year-old banyan tree king to experience the thrill of downhill descent. Experienced outdoor adventurers can choose to go deep into Nangong Mountain, 23 kilometers northwest of Mengla County, climb to the top of the mountain at an altitude of 1,900 meters, and then cross the Nanpin River Basin and descend the mountain to see the mountain rainforest and valley rainforest at once.

But be careful, never enter the rainforest alone without a local guide. It is wise to remain in awe in front of nature.

Take a new path to discover exotic flowers, exotic plants and rare animals

Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Huludao, Menglun Town, Mengla County

Ticket fee is 104 yuan, 8: 00～18:00

If you only go to one scenic spot in Jinghong, come here. The botanical garden is divided into east and west areas. Due to the wide variety of plants, you can browse the information on the official website first. If you want to know more about it, you can make an appointment with a botany/ecology expert tour guide one day in advance to view the exotic flowers in the Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden more systematically. Exotic wood.

Plants such as the dancing grass that dances upon hearing the song, the mystery fruit that turns sour into sweet, and the royal lotus that can carry people are distributed in 38 large and small special gardens in the west area. There is also a large area of ??primitive tropical areas in the east area. Rainforest, many rare and endangered plants are protected here.

In addition, both Xishuangbanna and Pu'er have large areas of Pu'er ancient tea forests. Ancient tea trees exist alongside virgin forests and villages. In spring and autumn, people go to the mountains to pick tea, and in winter, they drink hot tea and watch the sea of ??clouds. good season.

Wild Elephant Valley

Beside National Highway 213, Mengyang Town

84 yuan; 8:00～18:00

This activity in Xishuangbanna The plant paradise accounts for 1/4 of the country's animals and 1/6 of the plant population. The Wild Elephant Valley is the only place in Xishuangbanna where wild Asian elephants can be observed. Currently, there are only more than 300 animals left in China. Honking is prohibited on certain sections of roads in Xishuangbanna because it may disturb wild elephants in nearby forests.

Nowadays, on average, you can see a herd of wild elephants in the reserve once every four days, but don’t be disappointed if you don’t see wild elephants. There are also rare animals such as macaques, peacocks, and muntjacs in the reserve. , can also be a feast for the eyes.

There are ethnic performances, elephant schools and other projects in the park, but they are lackluster.

What is truly refreshing is walking on the high-altitude plank road in the virgin forest, breathing the fresh air and admiring the surrounding natural scenery. On the approximately 3-kilometer plank road, there will be staff dedicated to explaining knowledge about wild elephants and rainforests to tourists.

In addition, Xishuangbanna has more than one-third of China’s bird species, and mid-November to February of the following year is a good season for bird watching. Menglun Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengyuan Wonderland, Wangtianshu Scenic Area? As long as there is a rainforest, tiny sunbirds, dazzling green leaf bulbuls, colorful bee-eaters and other small creatures may pass by in the mottled tree shadows. , or singing gracefully on the branches. Rafting on the Lancang River

Lancang River

Jinghong City Daijiang South Water Splashing Ceremony Pier

Starting from 139 yuan/person; 8:00～18:00

< p>In addition to the fun and thrilling rainforest crossing, rafting on the Lancang River will also let you re-understand this international river that nurtures the entire Indochina Peninsula. Even if you come to Xishuangbanna during the dry season, you will still be impressed by the Lancang River (meaning "the river where millions of elephants breed" in Dai language): the magnificent and rushing river in the rainy season is introverted and deep at this time.

Although the 16-kilometer round-trip "rafting" is driven by the staff in a kayak, it is not thrilling, but going down the river from Guanli Pier and admiring the rainforest scenery on both sides is considered the same as "Oriental" Danube" comes a close encounter. On the small islands you stop along the way, you can participate in activities such as zip lining and horse riding. After arriving at the one-way destination of Olive Dam, turn back. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.

In addition to rafting, a swim on the Lancang River (Jinghong Port, No. 51 Xuanwei Avenue; 260 yuan/person during the day, 280 yuan/person at night; 16:30, 19:30) is also a good choice. There are currently three short-distance cruise ships in Jinghong Port. They sail from Jinghong Port all the way to Olive Dam and return. The journey takes about 2 hours. There are buffets and song and dance performances on board. Charming Humanities

The exotic customs that attract people's imagination are the charm of Xishuangbanna. The 12 ethnic minorities who have lived here for generations each have their own unique customs and culture, such as Bayeux Sutra, Dai Brocade, Zhangha, and Slow Wheel System. Intangible cultural heritage such as pottery can still be seen in many villages today. Maybe you can't read the words above or recognize the totems on the tapestry, but when the elephant's feet dance, the Brown ukulele plays, and the Lahu hymn starts singing, language and culture are no longer barriers. Journey to Buddha

Xishuangbanna Buddhist Temple

No. 18, Baji Road, Jinghong City

Free; 8:00～18:00

< p>The styles of Dai Buddhist temples and Han Buddhist temples are completely different. Han Buddhism was introduced from India; while Theravada Buddhism believed by the Dai people was introduced from Myanmar. Theravada Buddhism is unique to Yunnan province in China, and southern Yunnan, as the main place of transmission, has many pagodas with beautiful shapes.

The Zongfo Temple is the highest-level Buddhist temple in Xishuangbanna, and it also has a high religious status in Southeast Asia. Thai monk king Songyuan and Princess Sirindhorn once came here and planted bay leaves and bodhi trees respectively. The temple is connected to Manting Park, the oldest park in Xishuangbanna. The temple building has cornices and complicated decorations. The main hall enshrines a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha woven from rattan.

If you are interested in Buddhist temples, you can also visit the Mange Buddhist Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Jinghong (No. 43, Jingliang Road; ticket price 2 yuan; 8:30-17:00). The temple was first built In 960, the building was well preserved and no nails or rivets were needed. The beams and brackets were all connected by bucket wood, which is quite ingenious.

In addition, the Menglu Grand Buddha Temple (also known as the Xishuangbanna Grand Buddha Temple) was rebuilt in 2005 on the original site of the ancient Dai Dynasty royal temple; at the top of Menglu Avenue at Nanlian Mountain; tickets are 120 yuan; 8:00-17: 30) Built against the mountain, you can see the whole of Jinghong City from the observation deck on the top of the mountain. The religious atmosphere of the entire temple is not strong, and the effect is better when viewed from a distance.

Pilgrimage to Buddha in Menglong Town

Menglong Town

If you want to appreciate the beauty of Theravada Buddhist architecture, you might as well go to Menglong, 55 kilometers southwest of Jinghong Check out the town. The prestigious Manfeilong White Pagoda (Damenglongba Manfeilong Village; ticket price 80 yuan) has been applied for World Heritage status, but the ticket price for a single attraction is so high that the price/performance ratio is not high.

You can start from Jinghong and walk along the Yunda Highway to see the Longmengbo Pagoda, a rare hollow brick pagoda in Banna; then continue to Menglong Town and admire the Menglong General at the Menglong Buddha Temple The pagoda is decorated with multi-layered lotuses and reliefs; walk about 200 meters south of the Great Buddha Temple and take a trail up Sunye Pagoda Mountain, passing through the rubber forest on the mountainside. The top of the mountain is also known as the "Menglong Black Pagoda". The world is independent, the golden bodies of the towers are dazzling, and the treasures are solemn. A window to local customs

Gaozhuang Xishuangjing

Jianghong City, Cangjiang New District, Xuanwei Avenue Jiangbei Section

Gaozhuang Xishuangjing is a tourist attraction in Xishuangbanna Distribution center. Tourist service centers, inns, restaurants, teahouses and bars are concentrated here. Because it is the only way from Jinghong to the scenic spots in the west, and the accommodation conditions and facilities are better than those in the old city, many travelers will choose this place as their base for traveling to Xishuangbanna.

The Shwedagon Pagoda in Gaozhuang is an iconic building designed and built by Thai craftsmen. The museum in the tower (free; 14:00-21:00) displays many Dai cultural objects, including a throne of Dao Shixun, the last Dai king. The Starlight Night Market, which is arranged around the Shwedagon Pagoda at night, is also a new place to spend the night in the city.

Elephant Foot Dance Training Center

Mandan Village, 15 kilometers east of Mengla County

Mandan is separated from the Laos border by only a few mountains. Because of the deep valley, wild elephants often appear nearby, so please pay attention to safety. There are pagodas and Buddhist temples on the top of the mountain in the village, and you can overlook the valley scenery. In addition to the traditional natural village appearance, the biggest highlight of Mandan is Mr. Bohan Bing's Elephant Foot Dance Training Center.

Teacher Bo is the provincial intangible cultural heritage inheritor of Elephant Foot Dance, and is proficient in Dai boxing and Dai dance. Although there were many apprentices practicing martial arts/dance, there was a lack of successors in making elephant foot drums. So Bohan Bing gathered young men and women in the village to teach drum making and dance skills, and sometimes went out to perform. Festivals in Xishuangbanna

Throughout the whole year; across all ethnic groups

Water Splashing Festival is a well-known Dai New Year. In Xishuangbanna, Dehong, Mangshi, Ruili and other Dai inhabited areas, it usually takes place on April 4 There are celebrations lasting several days in the middle of the month. The Water Splashing Festival in April every year is the peak season for tourism in Xishuangbanna, so it is not an exaggeration to book accommodation one month in advance.

Mid-April is the peak period for ethnic minority festivals in southern Yunnan. In addition to the famous Water Splashing Festival, you can go to the border town of Menglian to experience the lively Divine Fish Festival (April 10-13). Watch the locals use various fishing techniques to toss the Nanlei River in the city; or go to Jingmai Mountain to watch the tea ancestor worship ceremony of the Blang ethnic group that has lasted for thousands of years during the Shankang Festival (April 16-18).

In addition, the Wooden Drum Festival (April 10th to 12th) of the original worship of the Wa people in Ximeng, and the Gourd Festival (April 7th to 9th) of the Lahu people of Lancang River where they play the Lusheng, can make people happy. You can appreciate the colorful folk customs up close. In addition, the Dai, Blang, Wa and other ethnic groups who believe in Theravada Buddhism will celebrate the Close-Door Festival (September 15th in the Dai calendar) and the Open-Door Festival (December 15th in the Dai calendar). During these three months, there will also be A large-scale Buddhist worship event was held (from November 10th to Wangyue in the Dai calendar).

Delicious food

The food in Xishuangbanna is represented by Dai flavor. The characteristic Dai flavors in Xishuangbanna include pineapple rice, steamed buns, barbecue and Hao Nuosuo Baba. The Dai flavor is heavy on sour, bitter and spicy, and they like to eat raw and cold food. The Banna Dai flavor prefers to use plants as containers to cook dishes. Banana leaf buns, bamboo tube rice and pineapple shell steamed glutinous rice are all distinctive Banna Dai flavors.

Xishuangbanna Market

No. 3, Mengla Road; Free

In the past, transportation in the mountainous areas of Yunnan was inconvenient, so supplies were exchanged on the appointed day, and people came from all over. Street market, so this kind of trade is also called "rushing the street". Today, this rather local custom still continues in many places. If you want to experience the life of Banna people, you might as well visit the Xishuangbanna Market.

There are probably not many things that foreign travelers can name here, but the enthusiastic locals will be happy to tell you what the various things in front of you are - provided you can understand. Try the small Banna corns sold in handfuls of three or four, which are short and plump and still soft, glutinous and sweet even if they are cold; the fragrant bamboo rice is grilled over charcoal fire until the bamboo tubes are cracked, revealing the crystal-clear glutinous rice grains; dried and pressed Dried moss slices made into pancakes and fried, taste a lot like seaweed.

Don’t ignore the small load of dishes placed at the entrance of the market. The bowls are filled with side dishes such as moss, river shrimp, banana flowers, grilled pork belly, bitter fruits, etc. The purple glutinous rice is covered with a damp cloth to keep it warm. It tastes better than Jiangnan rice balls are more fragrant, sweet and glutinous.

Jinghong Night Market

19:30～4:00; Free

No night market, no banquet. Xishuangbanna has long summers and no winters, especially during the dry season. The heat during the day lasts until the evening before it is relieved. This climate makes the nightlife of Banna people rich and long-lasting, with night markets blooming everywhere and "supper" smoke rising everywhere. Jinghong Night Market usually starts at 19:30 and lasts until about 4 am. Snacks and barbecue, costume jewelry, and jade jewelry are standard.

The Old City Night Market is on Mengla Road opposite the tourist hotel. It is small in scale and suitable for people who live nearby to hang out; Daijiang Nanbinjiang Night Market is lined up along Binjiang Avenue and is connected to Thai Street, where you can find everything to eat, drink and have fun; The Starlight Night Market, which extends around the Shwedagon Pagoda, has become a new favorite in the past two years. All kinds of things are sold at the night market. There are also restaurants and bars nearby, so you don’t have to worry about being late.

Light sleepers should pay attention to their surroundings when choosing a place to stay. If there is a night market or bar nearby, you will most likely become the protagonist of "Sleepless Nights in Xishuangbanna".

TIPS for Pu'er tea: drink more and buy less

From the moment you set foot on the border of southern Yunnan, you will find yourself surrounded by Pu'er tea. On the market, ancient tree tea is the best for Pu'er tea, followed by big tree, platform and small tree tea. In terms of picking time, spring tea is the best, followed by autumn tea. Unless you have a cold constitution or gastrointestinal disease, from the perspective of health and collection, raw tea (natural aging and transformation) is a better choice than cooked tea (forced fermentation). When tasting Pu'er tea, pay attention to whether the tea leaves have any peculiar smell and whether the tea leaves are even. After brewing, whether it is the golden color of raw tea or the reddish brown color of cooked tea, the clear color of the soup is the best, and the second best is turbidity. For novices, the reference price of entry-level raw tea is about 200 yuan/357 grams (357 grams is the weight of 1 traditional Qizi cake, and 7 cakes of tea are in one tube, which is convenient for horse car transportation); cooked tea is not as good as raw tea because the raw materials are better. It is mostly made from Taiwan tea, and the price is over 80 yuan/357 grams. If there is no expert recommendation, it is not recommended to buy ancient tree tea. All in all, drink more and buy less, and trust your own taste. The tea that is smooth in your mouth and has a long-lasting sweet aftertaste will be good tea that suits you.