Live Your Best Lives
Of China's 56 ethnic groups, perhaps none offers photographers as many creative backdrops as the Dai people. These unique natural backdrops have become a versatile tool for many portrait photographers. Especially after the easing of restrictions in 2023, this extremely low-cost method has firmly established Xishuangbanna as a profitable photography destination.
A corner of Xishuangbanna's Gaozhuang, Xishuangbanna. 
A corner of Xishuangbanna's Gaozhuang. 
A corner of Xishuangbanna's Gaozhuang. 
A corner of the Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A corner of Xishuangbanna's Gaozhuang, Xishuangbanna. 
A corner of a Dai village in Jinghong City. The gentle Dai customs and culture, combined with Theravada Buddhism, a practice popular in Southeast Asia, blend together in the tropical rainforest to create a unique and rare atmosphere, a stunning scene showcasing youthful beauty. Xishuangbanna has naturally become a place of reverie and desire. 
A glimpse of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna. 
A corner of the area surrounding the Shwedagon Pagoda in Gaozhuang, Xishuangbanna. 
A corner of the Xishuangjing Shwedagon Pagoda in Gaozhuang, Xishuangbanna.
As a result, young women from all over the country flocked here.
Naturally, photo shoots unexpectedly became the most profitable industry in Xishuangbanna's surging consumption after the epidemic was lifted.
In the eyes of many outsiders, Xishuangbanna is Gaozhuang, and Gaozhuang is Xishuangbanna.
Gaozhuang is overcrowded, and prices for everything from food and entertainment have increased, so they criticize Xishuangbanna.
However, once you leave Gaozhuang and walk around Jinghong City and even the surrounding areas, you realize that Gaozhuang is just a hairpin in Xishuangbanna's gorgeous makeup. 
Water Splashing Square in Jinghong City
A corner of the Xishuangjing Shwedagon Pagoda in Gaozhuang, Xishuangbanna. 
Water Splashing Square in Jinghong City
A corner of the Xishuangjing Shwedagon Pagoda in Gaozhuang, Xishuangbanna. 
Water Splashing Square in Jinghong City
A corner of the Xishuangjing Shwedagon Pagoda in Gaozhuang, Xishuangbanna.
In fact, when taking photos in Xishuangbanna, the most authentic Dai ecological experience isn't the internet-famous Gaozhuang Xishuangjing scenic spot, but Manting Park, the garden built by the Dai king for his princess, and several Dai natural villages around Jinghong City, such as Manyuan Village in Menghan Town, Manzhang Village in Mengyang Town, and Mandiu Village in Gasa Town.
A glimpse of the architecture at Gaozhuang Xishuangjing. 
Manhena photographed various groups in Dai villages.
These villages are pioneers among the hundreds of natural villages in Xishuangbanna and have three distinct characteristics.
First, they all maintain a certain distance from commercialization, embracing rural tourism and highlighting traditional Dai life. Their traditional Dai-style stilt houses, imbued with religious connotations, and the tropical rainforest plants planted in front and behind the houses—jackfruit, papaya, carambola, avocado, banana, and various hanging blue flowers—become the foreground and subject of tourists' photo-ops. 
A glimpse of the Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of the Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of the Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of the Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of the Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of the Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of the Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of the Dai village in Jinghong City.
Secondly, each village has its own temple, each with its own village center. Each temple has its own unique architecture and is never duplicated. The village center is not the geographical center of the village, but rather its soul. The entire village is essentially surrounded by dams on three sides, backed by a hill covered in a dense tropical rainforest dominated by rubber trees. 
A glimpse of a temple in a Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of a temple in a Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of a temple in a Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of a temple in a Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of a temple in a Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of a temple in a Dai village in Jinghong City. 
A glimpse of the Dai village temples in Jinghong City.
Third, they are relatively far from the urban area of Jinghong. There are no shuttle buses or public transportation, so you have to drive yourself. The distinctive Dai villages surrounding Jinghong City offer ideal natural outdoor studios for photoshoots. Manhena Ancient Village, located within the Xishuangbanna International Tourism Resort and closest to downtown Jinghong, is a natural choice. Firstly, it's close; secondly, it's free; and thirdly, most importantly, it's the least urbanized of the nine Mannongfeng villages in Jinghong City, a rare Dai ancient village where modernity meets antiquity in perfect harmony. Its neighbors include the Xishuangbanna Intercontinental Hotel and two of the largest state-owned and privately-owned real estate companies. Their newly constructed resort villas and high-rise buildings form a solid fence around the village. 
A general map of the resort commercial buildings and Manhena Ancient Village on the left. 
A general map of the resort commercial complex and Manhena Ancient Village on the right. 
The gate of Manhena Ancient Village. 
A corner of the InterContinental Grand Xishuangbanna, Manhena's neighbor. 
Manhena's neighbor, the InterContinental Grand Xishuangbanna, looks like a tropical rainforest park.
Manhena Ancient Village was first built in 780 AD, originally known as Mansa Pavilion. In 823 AD, Mansa Pavilion moved to the foot of Nanlian Mountain and was renamed Manhena. Man means village, He means above or on top, and Na means field. In Dai language, it means a village above fields. Manhena is adjacent to Xuanwei Street, built during the heyday of the Mengle Palace. Its villagers have long crafted Dai pottery, cigarette holders, and other handicrafts for the Xuanwei lords. Therefore, the production and sale of Dai pottery is a hallmark that distinguishes Manhena from other Dai villages. 
A corner of the ancient Manhena village. 
A corner of the Manhena Ancient Village. 
A corner of the Manhena Ancient Village. 
A corner of the Manhena Ancient Village.
Manhena's layout differs significantly from many other famous villages in Xishuangbanna in that it is flanked by five-star hotels and high-rise villas in the international tourist resort, leaving the front and back areas to itself. To its front lies the Liusha River, a tributary of the Lancang River, where the riverbanks serve as a vegetable and fruit cultivation base. To its back lies the Nanlian Mountain, whose sprawling oak forests represent another asset for the villagers. 
Manhena's twice-monthly market draws countless visitors. 
The Manhena market is completely different from the Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market in that there are no stalls selling food from Northeast China. 
At the Manhena market, authentic Dai barbecue always tempts visitors. The Manhena village gate, perched on Ronglin Avenue, is far more lavish than many other Dai villages, thanks to its rarity within the city. 
The Manhena market attracts countless visitors, young and old. 
The Manhena market is bustling with activity. 
At the Manhena market, each stall has its own unique offerings, if you look carefully enough you'll find them. 
At the Manhena market, people enjoy delicious food without regard for their manners. 
The Manhena Ancient Village Market Fair is also one of the best natural sources of food for tourists and experts. 
The Manhena Ancient Village Market Fair is a must-see for foodies. 
The Manhena Ancient Village is bustling with activity, with people jostling for position.
Over 10 years ago, when Yunnan Province and Xishuangbanna Prefecture were preparing to designate the Mannongfeng area of Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna, as an international tourist resort, some foresighted businessmen saw the value of the buffer plain between the Manhena Ancient Village and the farmlands along the Liusha River. Consequently, numerous reinforced concrete buildings with subtle Dai cultural elements sprang up in the area, thanks to a compromise between the respective rights and obligations of the businessmen and villagers. 
The real estate buildings in the lower half of the image provide the foundation for the prosperity of the villagers and the entire village. 
A corner of Manhena New Village—an internet-famous cafe. 
"Manhena New Village," located in front of the ancient Manhena village, is a joint venture between villagers and outside investors. 
A corner of Manhena New Village—an internet-famous bar. 
"Manhena New Village" in front of the ancient Manhena village is a joint venture between villagers and outside investors. 
A corner of Manhena New Village. 
A corner of Manhena New Village.
Every day, a constant stream of young women flock to Manhena for photo shoots. Upon entering the village, many of these glamorously dressed women bear a look of regret at having been deceived. But after patiently being led through the unremarkable Manhena New Village by their photographers, their previously gloomy expressions instantly transform into smiles as they encounter the quaint charm of the ancient village. 
One of the groups that went to Manhena Ancient Village to take photos. 
One of the groups that went to Manhena Ancient Village to take photos. 
One of the groups that went to Manhena Ancient Village to take photos. 
One of the groups taking photos at Manhena Ancient Village. 
One of the groups taking photos at Manhena Ancient Village. 
One of the groups taking photos at Manhena Ancient Village. Nestled among coconut trees, traveler's palms, jackfruits, and tropical flowers, this ancient village is almost entirely made up of Dai stilt houses, two-story, railing-style dwellings. Most are wooden, with tiled hip roofs. The eaves and roofs are adorned with Dai totems of gold, silver, and crimson. Only two or three of the most primitive Dai bamboo and thatched roof styles remain. 
A glimpse of the dwellings of Manhena Ancient Village. 
A glimpse of the residential buildings in Manhena Ancient Village. 
A glimpse of the architectural decorations in Manhena Ancient Village. 
A glimpse of the residential buildings in Manhena Ancient Village. 
A glimpse of the architectural decorations of Manhena Ancient Village. 
A corner of a residential building in Manhena Ancient Village. 
A glimpse of the architectural decorations of Manhena Ancient Village.
It's no wonder. Seventy to eighty percent of the stilt houses in Manhena Ancient Village were rebuilt on their original sites within the past decade. Judging by the cars parked in the ground floor of every house, the local villagers are relatively well-off. This wealth is largely due to the sale of large tracts of land on both sides of the village, as evidenced by the fact that the center of Manhena Village is located at the very edge of the village. With these prosperous villagers, who would still live in those relatively poorly protected bamboo huts? 
A corner of a residential building in Manhena Ancient Village. 
The architectural styles of Manhena New Village in the distance and the nearby ancient village are very different. 
The residential buildings in the ancient village of Hena in the lower left and the new Manhena Village in the upper right have very different styles. 
The village committee of Manhena Ancient Village. 
Manhena villagers recently built houses halfway up the mountain (the flat land was used for housing construction in partnership with investors). 
A corner of a residential building in Manhena Ancient Village. 
A classy inn within Manhena Ancient Village. 
A glimpse of the unique architectural decorations in Manhena Ancient Village. 
Spurred by a nearly tenfold increase in hotel and inn prices during this year's Spring Festival holiday in Xishuangbanna, a massive construction project is underway in Manhena, nestled halfway up the mountain. 
A glimpse of the residential buildings in the ancient village of Manhena.
After receiving substantial land transfer fees and forest compensation, the rebuilt Dai buildings have managed to maintain a largely consistent traditional Dai style. This is thanks to the persuasive planning and overall design of their neighbor, a nationally renowned tourism real estate company. The village's age-old, traditional stilt houses are particularly striking. These aren't isolated buildings, but clusters of them, standing as "evidence" of the ancient village. Most remarkable of all, these old stilt houses still house the original inhabitants, connecting them to the earth's atmosphere with no signs of decay. It's this village's rare, preserved "ancient" charm that has drawn photographers from all over the country. 
Manhena's oldest dwellings are perfectly preserved, showcasing local customs and practices to their fullest extent. 
The quaintness of Manhena's old houses and the chic style of modern women make it a natural choice for travel photography. 
Manhena's oldest houses are well-preserved, showcasing local customs and practices to their fullest extent. 
The quaintness of Manhena's old houses and the chic style of modern women make it a natural choice for travel photography. 
Villagers at Manhena's old houses. When they gather to drink, they always raise their glasses and shout, "Water! Water! Water!" 
The quaintness of Manhena's old houses combined with the chic style of modern women make it a natural choice for travel photography. 
Manhena's oldest houses have been perfectly preserved, showcasing local customs and practices to their fullest potential. 
The quaintness of Manhena's old houses and the chic style of modern women make it a natural choice for travel photography. 
The quaintness of Manhena's old houses and the chic style of modern women make it a natural choice for travel photography. 
The quaintness of Manhena's old dwellings and the modernity of modern women make it a natural choice for travel photography.
In recent years, thanks to government policies promoting rural tourism and investments in infrastructure, some of the newly constructed wooden Dai buildings in Manhena Ancient Village have become motorbike inns and guesthouses, while others have converted their ground floors into Dai restaurants, Dai pottery workshops, dessert shops, and clothing stores. The village also boasts an ancient well imbued with cultural charm, specially developed traditional silvermaking and brocade weaving techniques, and preserved Dai wineries, among other ethnic cultures. These have made Manhena a model for the construction of a new socialist countryside in Jinghong City.
Manhena, recently recognized as one of Yunnan's famous tourist villages, quickly became a popular free attraction in Xishuangbanna after the lockdown eased. 
Small signs like these are common at the entrance to Manhena Ancient Village. 
Manhena Ancient Village is not only a popular online village, but also a cash cow for travel agencies. 
This year, Manhena has become a must-see destination for tourists visiting Xishuangbanna.
Manhena Ancient Village has become a flagship for rural tourism in Jinghong City thanks to its unique cultural heritage—Gunaka—that sets it apart from other villages. 
Manhena Ancient Village - Gunaka.
Gunaka means "good luck and good fortune" in the Dai language. Manhena Ancient Village is also known as the Xishuangbanna Gunaka Cultural Park. Perhaps the name Gunaka was given to Manhena Ancient Village as a blessing and hope from the Dai King and his ancestors for this village, which once served the Dai royal palace. Manhena Ancient Village - Gunaka. 
In Gunaka-Manhena Ancient Village, the Dai people live a simple and unpretentious life, living in harmony with nature. They embrace, respect, and appreciate nature, and nature gives them the most beautiful rewards in return...
In Manhena Ancient Village, some houses serve as guesthouses and restaurants, while others specialize in raising Dai chickens.
These local chickens can fly, and many roost in trees. The largest chicken weighs only about 3 kilograms. There's a stall at the village entrance that specializes in selling these free-range chickens. They advertise 28 yuan per jin (approximately 500g), but they usually sell for 27 yuan per jin (approximately 500g). The chickens sold there weigh four or five jin (approximately 500g). It's said that these professional chicken farmers keep the chickens in pen for a week before catching them for sale, feeding them to help them grow and fatten them up—this hasn't been confirmed. In Manhena Ancient Village, a villager posted a notice on a tree near the courtyard wall: "This chicken is priced at 35 yuan per jin (approximately 500g). If you don't know the value of the chickens and don't want to spend the money, please don't bother." If you buy chicken from this stall, you can't pick it up the same day, as mature chickens can't be caught in the trees during the day. They can only be caught at night when they return to roost. The next morning, they'll be slaughtered, cleaned, and I'll call you to pick it up (delivery is not provided). I spent a few hundred yuan on a hen, weighing just over three pounds, and used it to make soup. The broth was oil-free and incredibly flavorful, especially the chicken flavor I ate as a child. I finally found it here. 
In Manhena Ancient Village, most families not only have cars, but also many motorcyclists. 
The weekly market is a great excuse for Manhena villagers to gather with friends for a meal. Han people don't know how to eat many Dai dishes. You can refer to their ways of eating, or ask them in person for the names, cooking methods and eating methods of the dishes.
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