Yunnan｜【Xishuangbanna】Tropical green shadows, dance of the ancient

Xishuangbanna is the region in China where the tropical ecosystem is best preserved, known as the 'Plant Kingdom', 'Animal Kingdom', 'Biological Gene Bank', 'A Green Gem in the Crown of the Plant Kingdom', and is the only tropical rainforest nature reserve in China.

🗓Itinerary:
●DAY1: Arrive in Banna→Gaozhuang Shuangjing Starlight Night Market
● DAY2: Wild Elephant Valley→Primitive Forest Park
● DAY3: Mengle Great Buddha Temple→Manting Park→Return

✅Must-visit attractions:
⛰【Attraction Guide】
1️⃣Gaozhuang Xishuangjing Starlight Night Market
Gaozhuang Xishuangjing is in Dai language, translated into Chinese means 'Nine Towers and Twelve Villages'. It recreates the grand scene of Jinghong in ancient times, integrates the essence of Dai Thai culture in the Greater Golden Triangle and Mekong River Basin, introduces modern avant-garde ideas, creates an unprecedented city of Dai Thai civilization in the Greater Golden Triangle, and casts a new landmark of Xishuangbanna City.
The Starlight Night Market is the largest night market in Southeast Asia, with a variety of mouth-watering delicacies. Tasting various delicacies not only satisfies the taste buds, but also feels like an adventure and exploration journey.

2️⃣Wild Elephant Valley
To see Asian wild elephants in China, you must go to Xishuangbanna, and to see wild elephants in Xishuangbanna, you must go to Wild Elephant Valley.
Here you can feed and bathe elephants, and even get a certificate as a souvenir.

2️⃣Primitive Forest Park
It is the best preserved tropical valley rainforest south of the Tropic of Cancer, and also the closest primitive forest to Jinghong City.
Inside there are Peacock Manor, Monkey Training Base, Large Ethnic Performance Field, Nine Dragon Waterfall, Manshuang Long White Pagoda and more than 50 other attractions.
In the park, you can enjoy strange sights such as board roots, strangulation, old stems blooming, ancient vines, and also watch hundreds of peacocks flying.

3️⃣Mengle Great Buddha Temple
Mengle Great Buddha Temple is the largest temple in Xishuangbanna region, and also a landmark building of Xishuangbanna.

🌈Highlights:
①It is rebuilt on the original site of the royal temple 'Jingpiao Buddha Temple' in the ancient Dai dynasty. The architecture of the Great Golden Pagoda is magnificent and spectacular.
②The Shakyamuni Buddha in the temple is 49 meters high, which is the largest and highest status Buddha in Xishuangbanna region.
③The glass walkway in the temple is the highest viewing platform in Xishuangbanna to overlook the whole Jinghong City.

4️⃣Manting Park
Manting Park is the oldest park in Xishuangbanna, and the Dai people are used to calling her 'Spring Joy', which means 'Garden of the Soul', and it was the royal garden of the Dai king of Xishuangbanna in the past.
The scenic area embodies the three main themes of 'Dai Royal Culture, Buddhist Culture, Dai Folk Culture'.

5️⃣Dai Folk Village
Ganlanba Houduo Ancient Village
Manheke is an undeveloped village, inside there is a Dai temple full of texture, the combination of black, white and gray is unique. Baidu Navigation will search out three Manheke, choose the one eight kilometers away from Ganlanba.

🍽Food Recommendations:

1️⃣Lemongrass Grilled Fish. A classic Dai flavor dish, it combines Dai flavored lemongrass with Yunnan tilapia, and is made by marinating and smoking.

2️⃣Pineapple Purple Rice. It is a special delicacy of Xishuangbanna and a glutinous rice food with Dai characteristics. It can be used as a staple food and also as a dessert.

3️⃣Pounded Chicken Feet. The pounded chicken feet are sprinkled with sesame and peanuts, and then paired with lime and papaya shreds. The taste is rich, spicy and fragrant with a hint of sourness from the lemon.

🏠Accommodation Recommendations:
The homestays near Gaozhuang are very good. They are comfortable to live in and have a strong Dai style.

✏️Practical Tips:
1️⃣If you only go to Banna and not other places in Yunnan, it is not recommended to drive by yourself. Banna is small, it is convenient to take a taxi, and the distance between attractions is very close.
2️⃣You can take a set of Dai-style photos, after all, this is the most authentic place.