Xishuangbanna travel guide
西双版纳
In Xishuangbanna, “lush forest” is almost the only phrase that can describe the scenery. Even though Jinghong is now a modern city, what sets it apart is the shady avenue trees lining its streets,…
14 places · In the guidebook: pages 285–300
Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province · AI illustration for China Trip
The feel of the place
- Lush Greenery
- In Xishuangbanna, “lush forest” is almost the only phrase that can describe the scenery. Even though Jinghong is now a modern city, what sets it apart is the shady avenue trees lining its streets, which stay green all year, as there are no seasons here. Interestingly, many of these trees are fruit trees, such as longan and coconut, yet no one picks them when they ripen, because tropical fruit is commonplace here.
- Dai Maiden (Xiaobushao)
- Nature shapes its people. “As slender as a dancer, as graceful as a beauty in a painting” is the most fitting description of Dai maidens (xiaobushao). They are pure, delicate, graceful and poised, with an innate spirit and sense of beauty. Their distinctive ethnic costumes make them stand out even more, and they remind us of the diversity and rich culture of the Chinese nation.
- Winding Roads
- If you travel by long-distance bus into Xishuangbanna Prefecture, when the road ahead bends more and more often, and at ever-sharper angles, your destination is near. Touring within Xishuangbanna, you'll also encounter countless bends between sights.
Jinghong
Jinghong City is the capital of Xishuangbanna Prefecture. Facilities here are convenient in every way, and tourism in Xishuangbanna largely revolves around Jinghong.
A Diluted Charm
Xishuangbanna is a beautiful and distinctive place, but tourism developed too early, and the charm of Dai culture has been diluted by heavily promoted tourism. Of course, villages in the mountains that have not been developed into tourist destinations may be different.
Precious Resources
Xishuangbanna is the only remaining oasis on the Tropic of Cancer in the world, and it is China's only preserved tropical forest region.
Xishuangbanna Festivals
Visiting during a local Dai festival makes the trip especially memorable. The Dai observe three major festivals: the Gate-Closing Festival, the Gate-Opening Festival and the Water-Splashing Festival. The Gate-Closing Festival falls on the 15th day of the 9th month of the Dai calendar (mid-7th lunar month), and the Gate-Opening Festival on the 15th day of the 12th Dai month (mid-12th lunar month). Both are Buddhist observances marked by numerous large and small ceremonies. The Water-Splashing Festival lasts four days and features activities such as launching sky lanterns, dragon boat racing, water fights and ball-toss games.
Preparation and Advice
Language
Chinese and the Dai language coexist throughout Xishuangbanna Prefecture, and Mandarin is understood in the vast majority of places. You may run into language barriers only in very remote or traditional mountain villages.
Climate and When to Go
A good way to describe Xishuangbanna's climate is that it is like a natural sauna. There are only two seasons, dry and rainy. In the dry season, Xishuangbanna feels like a dry steam room: waves of heat with nowhere to escape. Once it rains, though, it turns as cool as autumn. The humid heat of the rainy season can be the hardest to bear, as sweat beads up on your skin and simply stays there.
In terms of season, November to April is peak tourist season. Temperatures are comfortable during this period, and the annual Water-Splashing Festival is also held then. June to September can be sweltering, but it is the best time to sample tropical fruits.
Things to see
Wild Elephant Valley
This is a place where wild Asian elephants frequently visit, which is how Wild Elephant Valley got its name. Here you can watch elephant shows and explore the tropical rainforest. Within the scenic area is a walking trail more than 4,000 metres long. If you're lucky, you may even see a herd of wild elephants wandering through the forest.
3–5 hours · ¥60; cable car ¥50 for half the route, ¥70 for the full route
Mengle Culture and Tourism Area
In Xishuangbanna, Mengle Giant Buddha Temple is the largest and most prestigious of all the Buddhist temples, and a sacred site in the hearts of the Dai people. From the square in front of the Wanfo Pagoda, you can gaze down over Jinghong City, with its lush tropical scenery spread out before you.
2–3 hours · ¥120
Dai Ethnic Park
Dai Ethnic Park is located in Ganlanba (橄榄坝) and is considered the soul of Xishuangbanna. Its beauty has earned it the nickname 'Peacock Feather.' Centuries of folk customs, lush subtropical scenery, mysterious Buddhist culture and distinctive Dai bamboo houses will leave you spellbound. The park distils the essence of Dai culture, which is why people say: 'One day as a guest in Ganlanba, dreaming of Dai Ethnic Park every night.'
2–3 hours
Gaozhuang Xishuangjing
Gaozhuang Xishuangjing is a Dai phrase meaning 'Nine Towers and Twelve Villages': nine magnificent pagodas stand among twelve Dai villages, each with its own distinctive style. The site is backed by lush, verdant mountain peaks and accompanied by the Mekong River, which flows through several countries and is known as the 'River of a Million Elephants.' At Gaozhuang Xishuangjing you can admire the landmark Great Golden Pagoda and experience the bustling Starlight Night Market, with hundreds of characterful guesthouses, restaurants, handicraft shops and bars. The rustic charm of the Dai villages combines with an exotic atmosphere, creating a riot of colour and endless excitement. At the Starlight Night Market you will find every kind of ethnic minority food, including authentic Dai banquet culture (Dai feast) and the famous Manfeilong roast chicken, which you must not miss.
0.5–1 day
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences
China's largest botanical garden, with the most diverse species collection and the greatest number of garden zones. It integrates tropical scientific research, species conservation and science education. The garden's full visitor areas comprise three zones: the West Zone, the Gully Rainforest and the Green Stone Forest.
2–3 hours · ¥80
Manfeilong White Pagoda
A famous cluster of Buddhist pagodas in Xishuangbanna. The towers rise from the ground like bamboo shoots, earning them the nickname 'Bamboo Shoot Pagodas,' and they are the emblem of Xishuangbanna. On the natural rock beneath the niche facing due south is an imprint of a human ankle, said to be a footprint of Shakyamuni Buddha. Every year, many devotees travel great distances to worship here, offering precious gifts with utmost reverence to express their devotion to the Buddha.
0.5–2 hours · Free
Manting Royal Garden
Once the back garden of the Dai prince of Xishuangbanna, this was where the lords and nobles came to relax and enjoy themselves. The park features elephant shows, lively bonfire parties and folk song and dance performances. Visitors can admire tropical natural scenery and experience the distinctive culture of the local ethnic groups.
2–3 hours · ¥40
Xishuangbanna Ethnic Folk Park
Xishuangbanna Ethnic Folk Park is a miniature of Xishuangbanna, blending precious tropical flora and fauna with rich ethnic culture. The park's tropical fruit orchard grows coconut, mango, jackfruit and other tropical fruits. The botanical area displays specimens of palm, areca and sand ginger, among other rare plants. Every week, performances are held, including the Dai peacock dance, the Hani bamboo tube dance and the Yi lusheng dance.
2–3 hours · Free admission; entry to the zoo costs ¥40
Getting there & around
Getting There and Away
Xishuangbanna was one of the first areas in Yunnan to be developed for tourism, so its air routes are among the most extensive in the province. Road transport is also convenient.
Travel Tips
1. Those prone to motion sickness are better off flying, or skipping Xishuangbanna altogether. The winding mountain roads are notorious for car sickness, and local drivers tend to be bold, maintaining their speed even on sharp bends.
2. Express coaches are the best way to reach Xishuangbanna by road, as these vehicles are in better condition and generally faster.
Hiring a Car
To tour Xishuangbanna by taxi, hire a car and agree on terms with the driver. Pay a little extra, state clearly that you will not visit any shopping venues, and make sure the driver is available on call for the full day, including the evening. Do not haggle too hard, or you may save a little money and lose a lot. On the way to Jinghong, you can stop at some genuine local mountain villages. It is best to get to know some residents, who can guide you to undeveloped spots.
Air
Rail
Xishuangbanna Station opened in 2021.
Road
Jinghong has four long-distance bus stations: Xishuangbanna Passenger Station, Jinghong South Station, Jinghong Bus Station and Gasa Bus Station. Jinghong South Station runs international coaches to Laos.
Boat
Jinghong Port is an important harbour. It now operates an international waterway to Vientiane, Laos, and includes the Jinghong Port Central Pier, Ganlanba Pier and Guanlei Pier.
Getting Around the City
Jinghong has four city bus routes: Route 1: Jiangbei (江北) → Gasa (嘎洒); Route 2: Jinghong Port → Gadong (嘎栋); Route 3: Manting Park → the intersection of Jinghong North Road and Galan North Road; Route 4: Manying Village → Hydrological Station.
There is also a No. 8 sightseeing bus line, which departs in both directions from the Flower Garden and the Primeval Forest Park every day at 8:00.
Taxis in Jinghong city proper start at ¥7, with ¥1.8 per kilometre and a ¥2 fuel surcharge. The city centre is about 5 kilometres from the airport. A charter usually costs ¥20, or you can take a bus for ¥3.
Xishuangbanna now also has an urban rail network. Lines 1 and 2, the Dai Village Line, the Botanical Garden Line, the Wild Elephant Valley Line, the Menghai Line and the Menglong Line form a clear rail transit system. The interchange stations at Manbie (曼别), Xishuangbanna Station, Qiaotou Square and Gaozhuang (告庄) are all close to major tourist areas, making them very convenient.
Gasa Airport
AirLocated 5 kilometres from Jinghong city centre, the airport has direct flights from many domestic cities, including Kunming, Shanghai and Chengdu. Gasa Airport is also the only international airport in Yunnan besides Kunming, with direct flights to Bangkok, Thailand.
- Phone:
- 0691-2159129
Jinghong Bus Station
Jinghong Bus Station- Address:
- No. 16, Mengle Avenue
Xishuangbanna Passenger Station
Xishuangbanna Passenger Station- Address:
- No. 3, Minhang Road
Eat & drink
Shaped by Xishuangbanna's geography, climate and natural resources, Dai cuisine has developed a distinctive character, often summed up as sour, bitter, spicy and “strange.” Grilling is the standard Dai cooking method.
Local Snacks and Food Streets
Food streets and night markets in Jinghong change often, so ask locals for recommendations. They are usually happy to help. Currently popular spots include the Damanme Dai Barbecue Street and Sanwei Building Dai Barbecue.
Lemongrass Grilled Fish
Local Snacks and Food StreetsA signature Dai dish. The cleaned fish is wrapped in fragrant lemongrass, then grilled over an open fire and brushed with a little lard. It smells wonderful as it cooks, and the flesh comes out crisp and full of flavour.
Fragrant Bamboo Rice
Local Snacks and Food StreetsGlutinous rice is soaked in water inside fragrant bamboo tubes, then baked until cooked. To eat it, tap the bamboo until the outer shell cracks, then gently pry it open. The rice slides out with an aromatic fragrance and a fine, delicate texture.
Tomato Nanmi
Local Snacks and Food StreetsA distinctive Dai dish. This tomato-based sauce is sour, spicy, fresh and delicious. It goes very well with fried beef skin, mint, bitter bamboo shoots and other dishes.
Pineapple Purple Glutinous Rice
Local Snacks and Food StreetsA glutinous rice dish with Dai character. It is sweet and tasty, and is said to be good for replenishing blood and moistening the lungs.
Wrapped Grilled Fresh Fish
Local Snacks and Food StreetsA traditional Blang dish with rich, fresh flavour and a delicious taste.
Pebble-Grilled Fresh Fish Soup
Local Snacks and Food StreetsA specialty of the Blang people. The fish soup is fresh and sweet, with a dry, smoky aroma from the heated stones.
Luosuo
Local Snacks and Food Streets“Luosuo” is the Dai word for a rice cake. Starch batter is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until cooked. It is a traditional Dai sweet snack, sold by locals on the streets.
Manjinglan Flavour Street
Local Snacks and Food StreetsThis was once a Dai village on the edge of Jinghong, and is now a street lined with restaurants serving Jinghong flavours. Dinner is accompanied by song and dance performances by amateur performers. The Dai girls' graceful, charming dancing is every bit as good as that of professionals, so you can enjoy both good food and a great show.
Manting Village Barbecue Night Market
Local Snacks and Food StreetsLocated along the southern bypass road of the tourist resort area. It is easy to reach, but parking is difficult. Take Bus 3 and get off at Manting Xiaozhai.
Where to stay
Jinghong receives a large number of visitors each year, so accommodation prices vary greatly between the peak and off-peak seasons.
Xishuangbanna Xiangjia Garden Inn
Xishuangbanna Xiangjia Garden Inn- Address:
- Building 8, Jingdezhai, Xishuangjing, Gaozhuang, Jinghong City
- Phone:
- 18088103208
Nightlife
Recommended Night Activities
Golden Sand Beach Entertainment Square
Recommended Night ActivitiesThe city's liveliest barbecue night market. Because Jinghong is so hot, locals often head out to cool off while eating barbecue. Eat light at dinner, or even skip it, since trying every dish will fill you up quickly.
Starlight Night Market
Recommended Night ActivitiesHere you can see everyday life in Xishuangbanna in one place, along with religious customs, architecture and local cultural details that are ideal for photography. The night market has many photo studios as well as a variety of snacks.
Day trips & beyond
Jino Mountain Village
Jino villages are usually built on hilltops or mid-slopes, surrounded by forest, and feature the unique wonders of tropical rainforest. The scenic area blends the Jino people's rich ethnic customs and mysterious primitive culture with beautiful natural scenery, leaving visitors enchanted.
2–3 hours
Nannuo Mountain
Nannuo Mountain is home to the Hani people and boasts vast tea plantations; it is one of the Six Great Tea Mountains. Local residents have grown and sold tea for generations. Nannuo Mountain Pu'er tea is excellent in quality and reasonably priced. If you want to try tea-making, the warm Hani villagers will take you to the tea mountains to see tea picking and will teach you to press your own tea cakes by hand.
2 hours
Mengyuan Wonderland
Filming location of the BBC's 'Discover China's Food Journey: Xishuangbanna, Yunnan' episode; filming location of Baidu and Discovery's 'U Survival Pioneer Challenge'; the real-life story origin of the film 'The Peacock Princess,' starring Tang Guoqiang; and a filming location for Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV's 'Wild Kitchen' and 'The Little Ball Chase.' Mengyuan Wonderland offers diverse natural resources, including cave wonders, tropical rainforests and karst landscapes, as well as multicultural traditions such as Southern Theravada Buddhism, Baojiao cattle culture, and Dai and Yao ethnic customs. It is a 'wonderland' for wellness and retreat, perfect for refreshing the mind and cultivating inner peace.
1–2 days
Daluo
Daluo is a small town on the southern border in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna. Here you can experience traditional crafts such as sugar making, liquor brewing, papermaking and pottery, and visit the Daluo border crossing to experience exotic border culture. The Daluo border area has a border trade tourism zone where you can buy local specialties, or pass through the crossing to take a look at neighbouring Myanmar. The area is also home to a remarkable sight known as the 'Single Tree Forest.' It is formed by a banyan tree nearly a thousand years old: a single large tree has countless trunks, and its branches drop many aerial roots, forming a 'forest' of trees that is truly spectacular.
Nature
Wangtian Tree (Parashorea)
The rainforest is home to towering giant trees, some as tall as 80 metres and soaring into the clouds. Visitors can experience the thrilling aerial walkway, built among trees dozens of metres high and about 500 metres long. Walking along it, you look down over the entire tropical rainforest scenic area, which is both spectacular and exhilarating. If you prefer not to take the aerial walkway, you can wind along the small paths through the trees and explore the mysterious tropical rainforest.
2–3 hours
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 285–300. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version