Revisiting Xishuangbanna, Yunnan

Number of days: 4 days
Time: March
Average cost: 6,000 yuan
With whom: and friends
Tour types: Photography, Self-driving, Humanities, Independent Travel, Semi-independent Travel, Petty Bourgeoisie
Updated: 2023.04.04

March 19-26, 2023

Yunnan has rich and attractive tourism resources. Although I've traveled to Yunnan many times, I'd never been to the southwestern region, and I'd always wanted to visit. So, I invited some friends and we headed out on a spontaneous road trip from Lijiang. Our first stop was Xishuangbanna, at the southern tip of Yunnan. The drive from Lijiang to Banna takes about ten hours. Of course, we weren't in a rush, so we stayed overnight in Jingdong along the way, which was a relaxing experience. Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, with its capital in Jinghong City, lies on the southwestern border of Laos and Myanmar. It's home to 13 ethnic minorities, primarily the Dai. Two things struck me upon my first visit to Xishuangbanna. One was the warm climate. I layered up on departure, and upon arrival, I quickly changed into a short-sleeved T-shirt, as it was warm and comfortable in the tropical north. The other was the striking architecture. Whether high or low, the buildings all feature small, pointed roofs, strongly influenced by Theravada Buddhism. They have Dai characteristics, but also a touch of the exotic South Asian style. Upon arriving in Banna, our first stop was, of course, the Wild Elephant Valley. We navigated directly to the Wild Elephant Valley. Although it was afternoon, the traffic outside the scenic area was extremely congested. Perhaps due to the allure of wild elephants and the rebound in tourism, we could only enter through the north gate. There wasn't much to see here. Just steps leading up to a suspended plank road, weaving through tropical foliage. It's said to allow visitors to observe the life and tracks of wild elephants. But where in the vast rainforest can one find such sights? Patience and luck are key. The plank road is long and winding, and even if you don't see the elephants, it's still a good workout. The highlight of Wild Elephant Valley is the south gate area. The orchid garden displays exotic flowers and trees, while the butterfly garden is filled with a variety of butterflies. Perched among the flowers and greenery, you can enjoy the view and take photos to your heart's content. It's truly exhilarating! The highlight of Wild Elephant Valley is undoubtedly the elephant area, or elephant school. Outside, elephants interact with visitors, feeding and taking photos. Or you can go for an elephant ride. The scheduled elephant shows are packed with people. A team of elephants performs a variety of themed performances, including football, beauty pageants, and parades. These performances bring visitors to a climax. The elephants' gentleness, intelligence, and adorable nature are on full display, leaving unforgettable memories for visitors.

The rooftops and towers reach toward the sky
Charming and gorgeous, all bare shoulders
The coconut palms shimmer in the warm breeze and the soft singing
The light and shadows seem to evoke the South China Sea

Xishuangbanna is worth a revisit!