Strongly recommended by locals!!! Gaozhuang Xishuangjing Travel Guide

I. Itinerary Planning: Using the hotel as a hub, explore Gaozhuang and its surroundings all day long

Day 1: Arrival & Rest + Immersive Dai-Thai Cultural Experience

· Arrival Transfer: Contact Caiyun Zhilong Hotel in advance to book free airport/train station pick-up service. From Gasa Airport or Xishuangbanna Station, it's a 15-minute drive directly to the hotel. Enjoy luggage handling service upon arrival.

· Deep Rest in the Afternoon: After check-in, experience the smart room control system available in all room types, voice-controlling curtains, lights, and air conditioning. Rest on a latex mattress, overlooking the Dai-style rooftops and pagoda silhouettes of Gaozhuang Xishuangjing through the large floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel also provides complimentary tea and a welcome gift.

· Daytime Cultural Exploration: Walk 10 minutes to Manting Park to participate in the "Manting · Chunhuan" market event, experience intangible cultural heritage projects like gold water leak printing and plant rubbings, and check out the newly upgraded "Dai King's Parade" live performance to experience a thousand years of Dai history.

· Evening Dual Festivities: In the evening, walk 5-8 minutes (only 483 meters) to the Starlight Night Market. First, try "Na Jia Liang Ban" pounded chicken feet and Lao iced coffee to line your stomach, then spend 20 yuan to rent Dai traditional clothing for a night market portrait photoshoot. After 9 PM, move to the Six Nations Water Market, take a fruit boat night cruise on the Mekong River, and admire the illuminated architecture of the six nations along the banks. On your way back, you can pick up small Dai pottery ornaments at the night market.

Day 2: Rainforest Wonders + Elephant Fun Deep Dive

· Morning Rainforest Study Tour: The hotel can assist in booking a private car (300 yuan/day) to Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Participate in the "Scent Journey" study tour, identifying over 20 aromatic plants with a guide, and creating art with leaf collages. Key attractions include the "Alice in Wonderland" landscape in the Shade Plant Garden and the giant water lily pond in the Aquatic Plant Garden, where you can also experience sitting on a giant water lily for photos.

· Afternoon Elephant Encounter: Drive to Wild Elephant Valley. First, learn about the evolution of elephant herds through 3D animation at the Asian Elephant Museum, then participate in the "Rainforest Elephant Herding" program, joining "elephant dads" to guide elephants through the rainforest to find food. Hand-make "elephant dung paper" cultural products, adorned with petals to create unique souvenirs. For lunch, enjoy a rainforest elephant meal, experiencing the same diet as the elephants.

· Evening Local Flavors: After returning to Gaozhuang, walk 10 minutes to the Riverside Night Market (a local gathering spot). Order grilled tilapia, foil-wrapped enoki mushrooms, and grilled chives, paired with iced beer. Prices are 30% lower than the Starlight Night Market, and you can chat with vendors for local travel tips.

Day 3: Water Splashing Carnival + Intangible Heritage Handicraft Finale

· Morning Folk Feast: Take a private car to Dai Ethnic Garden to participate in a scheduled water-splashing carnival (bring a change of clothes in advance; the hotel offers luggage storage). Follow civilized water-splashing rules, gently sprinkle water with leaves as a blessing, and avoid using high-pressure water guns. Explore the ancient Dai village, watch villagers weave Dai brocade and make Dai pottery, and experience Southern Buddhism culture in a century-old temple.

· Afternoon Intangible Heritage Experience: Head to Manzhang Cultural Village. Under the guidance of intangible heritage inheritors, make traditional Dai paper and learn to marinate Dai-style BBQ. You can also experience taking photos with the "single tree forming a forest" and fishing in rice paddies (bring slippers in advance). For lunch, enjoy Dai-style hand-grabbed rice in the village, with lemongrass grilled fish and pineapple rice, costing about 40 yuan per person for a satisfying meal.

· Pre-departure Shopping: After returning to Gaozhuang, first go to Mangge Fruit Market to buy mangoes and custard apples (prices are 50% lower than in scenic areas), then visit the Six Nations Water Market to select Lao coffee and Pu'er tea as souvenirs, concluding your trip.

II. The Hotel Locals Go To!!
Caiyun Zhilong Hotel (Gaozhuang Xishuangjing Branch)
· Worry-Free Transportation: Free pick-up service covers Gasa Airport (8.8 km) and Xishuangbanna Station (7.6 km). During peak season, book 3 days in advance to completely avoid the hassle of haggling for taxis and waiting.

· Unobstructed Views: Rooms directly face the core landscape of Gaozhuang Xishuangjing. In the morning, watch the first rays of sunlight on Dai-style rooftops; at night, admire the dazzling lights of the Starlight Night Market. The large floor-to-ceiling windows maximize the view, so no need to search for the perfect angle for photos.

· Ultra-Convenient Smart Features: All room types are equipped with smart controls, voice-controlling lights, curtains, and air conditioning, and can even link to a projector to play movies, allowing for "lie-flat operation" when tired from travel.

· High-Quality Sleep: Custom latex mattresses conform to the body's curves, paired with thickened soundproof glass, which not only blocks out night market noise but also relieves muscle soreness from a full day of activities, ensuring deep sleep.

· Excellent Value for Money: Compared to other hotels in the same area around Gaozhuang Xishuangjing (average price 200-300 yuan/night), Caiyun Zhilong Hotel's average price is only around 100 yuan, offering a significant price advantage. More importantly, it's "low price, not low quality"—among hotels in the same price range, it offers quality amenities like free airport/station pick-up, smart controls, and scenic views, while being located in a prime area. This makes it the top choice for locals to host friends, offering both convenience and respectability, making its value for money unparalleled in the region.

III. Practical Tips

· Essential Bookings: "Rainforest Elephant Herding" requires booking 3 days in advance on the Wild Elephant Valley official website. For the botanical garden study tour, it's recommended to call 1 day in advance to secure a spot. During peak season, hotels should be booked 7 days in advance.

· Packing List: From April to October, bring SPF50+ sunscreen, a sun hat, and ice sleeves. For the rainy season, pack a folding umbrella. For the Water Splashing Festival, bring extra quick-drying clothes and a waterproof phone pouch. Water guns can be bought at the scenic area entrance (15 yuan/piece).

· Avoid Pitfalls: Don't buy fruit from stalls at the scenic area entrance; you can bargain at Mangge Fruit Market. For night market travel photography, choose shops with independent dressing rooms to avoid makeup smudging outdoors. Use ride-hailing apps for taxis to prevent drivers from taking detours.

Gaozhuang Xishuangjing/Starlight Night Market · Jinghong