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,…
Dai Ethnic Park, Xishuangbanna
Key facts
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Getting there
- Take a minibus from Minzu Bei Road (民族北路) in Jinghong, fare ¥6. Alternatively, take the long-distance bus from Banna Bus Station (版纳客运站) toward Mengla (勐腊), get off midway at Ganlanba (橄榄坝), fare ¥10. By boat, take a river cruise down the Mekong from the Jinghong Riverside Pier (景洪市江边码头).
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 292. Open in Google Maps
About 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.'
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Dai Ethnic Park?
Take a minibus from Minzu Bei Road (民族北路) in Jinghong, fare ¥6. Alternatively, take the long-distance bus from Banna Bus Station (版纳客运站) toward Mengla (勐腊), get off midway at Ganlanba (橄榄坝), fare ¥10. By boat, take a river cruise down the Mekong from the Jinghong Riverside Pier (景洪市江边码头).
How long should I spend at Dai Ethnic Park?
Plan on 2–3 hours for Dai Ethnic Park.
Where is Dai Ethnic Park?
Dai Ethnic Park is in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, in the Southwest of China.
More places in Xishuangbanna
Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park
Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park offers unique tropical rainforest scenery and captivating ethnic charm. The rainforest here was named by China National Geography as one of China's ten most beautiful forests. The forest teems with tropical plant species, and wonders such as dragon-tree buttress roots and trees flowering from their old trunks can be seen everywhere. Deep within the dense woods, more than a thousand species of animals make their home. Beyond the lovely natural scenery, the Aini village bride-snatching ritual and the Dai village Water-Splashing Festival are also well worth seeing.
¥45 · 0.5 day
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.
¥60; cable car ¥50 for half the route, ¥70 for the full route · 3–5 hours
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.
¥120 · 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.
¥80 · 2–3 hours
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.
Free · 0.5–2 hours