A warm winter in Xishuangbanna, Little Thailand. Enjoy a Dai-inspired trip in 2023, the perfect choice for Spring Festival travel.

Number of days：5 days
With whom: and parents
Updated: 2022.10.31

You dress dangly in the north, I bare my waist in the south—that's exactly what winter is like in Xishuangbanna.

Our Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture is located at the southernmost tip of Yunnan Province, an ethnic minority autonomous prefecture under the jurisdiction of Yunnan Province. Located between approximately 21°10'N latitude and 99°55' to 101°50'E longitude, it lies within the tropical humid zone south of the Tropic of Cancer. It borders Pu'er City to the east and west; Lincang County to the northwest; and Laos and Myanmar to the southeast, south, and southwest, respectively, and is adjacent to Thailand and Vietnam. Many people associate Xishuangbanna with mysterious rainforests, rare animals, or the joyous and frenetic Dai Water Splashing Festival. However, while temperatures in the north plummet below 0°C and much of the south remain close to freezing, Xishuangbanna in January each year offers a warm winter that few people remember. Daytime temperatures here are a perfect 23-25°C, and the area is filled with lush greenery, birdsong, and the fragrance of flowers—a breathtaking sight of spring!

This is one of the most suitable tourist destinations in China for a Spring Festival holiday. This place combines nature and humanity, humanity and history. It is close to the Yunnan-Myanmar border and has a strong Dai style.

About Hotels: No matter where you travel during the Spring Festival, you must book hotels in advance! ! ! !

Winter is the peak tourist season in Xishuangbanna, and because the number of tourists traveling during the Spring Festival is relatively large, hotels should be booked in advance. The urban area of Xishuangbanna itself is not very large. Because of the famous Gaozhuang Night Market, it is recommended that you arrange your hotel near the Gaozhuang Night Market, which is close to the scenic area and convenient for going out for shopping and eating at night. I highly recommend the Huangjing Hotel, a good value hotel with a swimming pool.

What to do at Gaozhuang Night Market! ! !

First of all, the first thing to do at the night market is to eat: Many Yunnan dishes are sour and spicy, perfect for those with a stronger palate. If you mind, just eat as you please. You can eat as much as you want at the night market! There are all kinds of rice noodles, barbecued vegetables, fish, roasted chicken, and fruit! They're super delicious!

Xishuangbanna's barbecue is one of the best in China. Barbecue can be found everywhere, but Xishuangbanna is most famous for its Dai-style barbecue, which is divided into three types: Bing, Bingwo, and Bingya. 3 different baking methods can produce 3 kinds of food with different colors, aromas and tastes.

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Second: If you come to Gaozhuang for travel photography, you must come here to check in. Many young ladies are taking photos. Friends who wear Xishuangbanna Dai costumes should hurry up and make an appointment.

The Mekong River is particularly charming at night.

What to do - Recommended top ten scenic spots in Xishuangbanna

1. Must-see: China's only wild elephant sanctuary

China's wild elephant population is less than one-seventh of that of giant pandas. The Wild Elephant Valley is the only and largest wild elephant reserve in China. More than 300 wild elephants, along with green peacocks and rare butterflies, have been breeding here for generations.

2. Must-see recommendation: Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park

Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park is the closest primeval forest to Jinghong. It is also one of the largest comprehensive eco-tourism attractions in Xishuangbanna. The most spectacular sight in the park is the release of peacocks and the dancing of hundreds of birds.

3. Must-See: Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

This is Xishuangbanna's only 5A-rated tourist attraction. Don't assume it's just a niche botanical research center just because it's called the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This is China's largest botanical garden with the most preserved species, with 13,000 plant species spread across over 16,000 mu (approximately 16,000 acres).

4. Must-Visit: Manting Park

Manting Park is the oldest park in Xishuangbanna and boasts a long history. Once the imperial garden of the Dai King of Xishuangbanna, it served as a haven for royal family members to enjoy the blossoms. Legend has it that when a Dai princess visited the park, her beautiful scenery captivated her soul, leading to the park's name, Chunhuan Park, which means "Garden of the Soul" in Dai.

Here you’ll find Premier Zhou Enlai dressed in Dai clothing and a lively bonfire party – let your body and mind blossom in the joy!

5. Parashorea chinensis Scenic Area

Parakita chinensis is a tree species unique to Xishuangbanna Prefecture, and is only found in Buwa and Jingpiao areas of Mengla County within the prefecture. The Parashorea chinensis is a tall evergreen tree in the Dipterocarpaceae family. Its upright, straight growth, reaching heights of 70 to 80 meters, piercing the sky like a sword, has earned it the nicknames "Giant of the Forest" and "Prince of the Forest Beauty." The canopy walkway is constructed using steel ropes and chains tied directly to the tree. The walkway is paved with wooden planks and secured by ropes. While ensuring absolute safety, it also offers panoramic views of the nature reserve's vast sea of green. Surrounded by a sea of green—a truly captivating experience—you can only truly experience this exhilarating experience from the Skywalk.

Here, you can also see the poison arrow tree, the "strangulation phenomenon", and the "acacia tree" that grows from the same root...

6. Mengle Grand Buddhist Temple

The current temple was rebuilt on the original site of the "Jingpiao Buddhist Temple". It mainly features Southeast Asian temples and Buddha statues. Here you can experience a strong Buddhist culture. During festivals, the Dai King would visit the temple in person to hold large-scale rituals to commemorate his beloved concubine and promote Buddhism, which shows that this place has a very deep Buddhist culture.

7. Zong Buddhist Temple

The Zongfo Temple is the center of Buddhist worship in Xishuangbanna. It houses an altar with several Buddha statues and walls painted with the Jataka Tales. The towering palm trees against the backdrop of the blue sky, white clouds, and golden roof create a breathtaking scene. In front of the main hall of the Zongfo Temple stands a majestic and towering golden statue of Sakyamuni, embodying a noble aura that inevitably inspires awe.

8. Jinuo Village

The gate of the Jinuo Village is very distinctive, with a large drum as the gate. This is probably because the Jinuo people cannot do without drums in ancestor worship, festivals, and weddings. The drum has a very special meaning to them.

The Jino people are the last of my country's 56 ethnic groups to be recognized by the State Council, and are also unique to Xishuangbanna.

Here you'll find the Jino goddess Amo Yaobei, the Sun Square, and their unique totem poles.

9. The Tropical Flower Garden is a 4A-level scenic spot, home to numerous tropical plants and fruits, including the safflower (so named because it lacks leaves; in fact, it does have leaves, but they fall off at a very young age, leaving a bare trunk) and the datura (a legendary drug that can induce hallucinations). Premier Zhou Enlai also visited and met with Burmese Prime Minister U Nu, hence the "meeting monument" erected here. The garden also features the national trees and flowers of many countries.

10. Dai Garden

The moment you enter the garden, the enthusiastic Dai people will begin their welcoming dance, sing congratulatory speeches, and sprinkle water for blessings. Here, you can participate in the Dai people's most festivities—the Water Splashing Festival, the Dai New Year celebration. Many people travel to Xishuangbanna specifically for the Water Splashing Festival, to experience the warmth of the Dai people and a unique New Year atmosphere.

Finally, let's summarize why I recommend traveling to Xishuangbanna.

Impression 1: The lush tropical rainforest scenery. Upon entering Xishuangbanna, you're greeted by a blanket of greenery, as if every home is nestled in a forest. Greenery lines the roadsides, even towering trees growing right in the center of the main hall. The China Botanical Garden is also home to a wealth of species, including the famous Victoria amazonica, palm trees, strangler vines, and other exotic flowers, making for a truly captivating photo opportunity.

Impression 2: Exotic Charm

The Shwedagon Pagoda, Manting Park, Zongfo Temple, Prajna Temple, and even the streets and alleys are filled with exotic architecture.

Impression 3: Mysterious Dai Folk Culture

The Dai folk culture of Mansaojing Village is particularly interesting, such as the rule of men marrying women, women being superior to men, and boys becoming monks and studying in temples after the age of seven (allowing them to eat meat), after which they can marry.

Impression 4: Spicy and Sour Southeast Asian Cuisine

Banna's cuisine is mostly spicy and sour, and they love barbecue. In Banna, you can pound everything: pounded chicken feet, pounded instant noodles, curry chicken, curry shrimp, pineapple rice, lemongrass grilled fish, grilled pork belly, grilled chicken, coconut ice, durian, and more—don't miss it.

Impression 5: The Starlight Night Market becomes more beautiful as the night goes on

The largest night market, here is brightly lit at night, with a variety of small commodities, food, internet celebrity photos, Dai song and dance performances, etc. It is very lively

Finally, welcome everyone to travel to Xishuangbanna

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