© Gyn9038/Getty Images
Awarded Top 10 region to travel to in 2022
About Best In Travel 2022North of Myanmar and Laos, Xishuangbanna (西双版纳, Xīshuāngbǎnnà) is the Chinese approximation of the original Thai name of Sip Sawng Panna (12 Rice-Growing Districts). Better known as Bǎnnà, the area has become China’s mini-Thailand, attracting tourists looking for sunshine, water-splashing festivals and jungle treks. Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, as it is known officially, is subdivided into the three counties of Jinghong, Menghai and Mengla.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Xishuangbanna Region.
Gardens
Lovely tropical gardens – the largest botanic gardens in all China – with many rare plant species and decent English and Latin signage. Don't miss the Distinctive Plant Collection. In addition to the main manicured sections of the gardens, the much larger East Area is home to acres of mostly undisturbed tropical rainforest, great for quiet wandering away from the crowds.
Gardens
This terrific botanic garden, found west of the town centre, is one of Jinghong’s better attractions. Admission gets you into a series of gardens where you can view over a thousand different types of plant life grouped by species and connected by meandering stone paths. It's all very calm and colourful.
Pagoda
Surrounded by bamboo stands and rubber plantations, this pagoda dates back to 1204 and is Damenglong’s premier attraction. According to legend, the pagoda’s temple was built on the location of a hallowed footprint left behind by the Sakyamuni Buddha, who is said to have visited Xishuangbanna. If you have an interest in ancient footprints you can look for it in a niche below one of the nine stupas. The temple has been extensively renovated in recent years.
Buddhist Temple
On the outskirts of the village of Jingzhen (景真, Jǐngzhēn), about 14km west of Menghai, is the Octagonal Pavilion, first built in 1701. The original structure was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution but renovated in 1978 and the ornate roof decorations are still impressive. The temple also operates as a monastic school. The paintings on the wall of the temple depict scenes from the Jataka, the life history of Buddha.
Village
This was once the part of Menghan that everyone in this region came to experience, primarily for its classic temples and Dai families hosting visitors in their traditional homes. Now, it's a 'theme park' where visitors can spend the night in villagers’ homes and partake in water-splashing ‘festivals’ daily at 1.30pm in Water Splashing Square (泼水广场, Pōshuǐ Guǎngchǎng). Despite its artificial nature some people love the experience, though foreign visitors may be disappointed to see the on-site elephant rides.
Pagoda
Just above the centre of town is a Dai monastery with a steep path beside it leading up to the Black Pagoda – you’ll notice it when entering Damenglong. The pagoda itself is actually gold, not black. Take a 15-minute stroll up and have a chat with the few monks in residence, but the views of the surrounding countryside are more interesting than the temple itself.