2025 Xishuangbanna Water Splashing Festival Survival Guide! Have Fun the Right Way

2025 Xishuangbanna Water Splashing Festival Survival Guide! Have Fun the Right Way
[Must-Know Information for the Water Splashing Festival]
📅 Date: April 13–15, 2025 (arrive in advance on April 11–12)
📍 Main Venue: Xishuang Jing, Gaozhuang + Water Splashing Plaza
💦 Gear List: Waterproof bag + water gun + sunscreen + quick-drying clothes + flip-flops
[Attraction Visit Order Guide]
1️⃣ Manting Park + Mengle Temple (go at 8am to avoid crowds and take great photos)
2️⃣ Jinghong Grand Pagoda (visit once during the day and once at night to experience different styles)
3️⃣ Starlight Night Market (most lively after 7pm, with tons of snacks and handicrafts)
4️⃣ Wild Elephant Valley (elephant show at 9am, reserve rainforest elephant herding in advance)
5️⃣ Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (East Zone + West Zone recommended for a full day)
6️⃣ Primitive Forest Park (peacock release 3 times a day, check the time)
7️⃣ Mengle Great Buddha Temple (best to participate in the water splashing activity at 14:00)
[Must-Eat Food Recommendations]
🍽️ Qing Mei Thai Restaurant
🌟 Must-order: Tom Yum seafood noodles, mango sticky rice
✨ Features: Mekong River view, CNY 80+ per person, recommended to watch the sunset in the evening
🍲 Shan Qian Wild Mushroom Hot Pot
🌟 Must-order: Matsutake chicken pot, Boletus edulis platter
💡 Tips: The freshest mushrooms are available from June to October! Free refills of soup base
🌴 Xia Wang Southeast Asian Rainforest Restaurant
🌟 Must-order: Curry crab in bread, butterfly pea coconut jelly
📸 Environment: 2,000m² tropical rainforest landscape, popular photo spot
[Accommodation Guide]
💯 Cost-effective: Yunzhu Noah River View Hotel (convenient transportation)
[3-Day Essential Itinerary]
DAY1: Manting Park → Mengle Temple → Qing Mei Thai Restaurant for lunch → Grand Pagoda → Starlight Night Market
DAY2: Wild Elephant Valley → Xia Wang Restaurant → Primitive Forest Park → Shan Qian Mushroom Hot Pot
DAY3: Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences → Mengle Great Buddha Temple Water Splashing Activity
If you are tired after 3 days, you can go to the ancient massage 💆‍♀️ Spring Thai SPA in Bangkok 👍🏻
[Transportation Tips]
🚗 City Transportation:
✅ Shared electric bikes (CNY 3/hour, most convenient)
❌ Be careful when taking taxis (easy to take a detour during the festival)
✈️ Airport Transportation:
▪️ Book an airport pick-up in advance (you have to wait for 1h+ on the day of the festival)
[Precautions]
⚠️ Cultural Taboos:
- Shoes must be removed in temples
- Do not touch children's heads
- Do not take photos of local residents at will
⚠️ Water Splashing Festival Tips:
- Do not splash water on the elderly/pregnant women
- Store valuables in the hotel
- Prepare multiple sets of spare clothes
📸 Photo Tips:
1. Manting Park is the least crowded at 8am
2. It is super photogenic to buy a Dai headdress for CNY 15 at the night market