It is not unusual to see a tree forming a small wood all of its own in the tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna!!

Aerial roots shoot forth from the trunks and branches of banyan trees and drop down to the ground in this area. Within a few months, a new sapling will appear next to its parent tree. In this way, numerous trees share the same parent (dushu chenglin), combining to make a spectacular view. About three kilometers south of Daluo Township next to the frontier, grows a huge tree family covering a total area of more than 120 square meters.

How to get there: This tree family is situated 3km south of Daluo town 134km west of Jinghong. You can stop here en route to Daluo and the Burmese border. Buses run from the main bus station in Jinghong to Daluo, the fare is RMB20.

To the Dai people, the elephant is the symbol of good luck, might and longevity. The wild elephants of Xishuangbanna mainly live in the Wild Elephants Valley (yexiang gu), at the juncture of the western and eastern part of the Menyang natural reserve. In the valley, there is an observation tower, especially built for tourists. The best time to see these impressive beasts is at dawn or dusk. There are currently 300 elephants living in the dense forest in Xishuangbanna, known locally as the “kingdom of elephants”.

Transportation: The park is 45km north of Jinghong by the highway linking Jinghong and Simao. You can take the bus to Simao from the main bus station in Jinghong and get off at the park.The fare is around RMB10.

Ticket Price: Admission is RMB25,there is a sight seeing cable car that costs RMB30 one way. Tree house guest rooms are available for RMB180.

The White Feilong Pagodas (feilong baita) are situated on the top of the Manfeilong Mountain in the town of Dankanlong, Jinghong County. There are actually nine different pagodas here, with white bodies and golden pinnacles.

The Hinayana pagodas were built in the 56th year of the Dai calendar (1204) Legend has it that the footprint on the primary stone in the south niche for Buddha was left by Sakymuni. The sculptures, reliefs and colorful paintings in the Pagodas are very impressive and wonderful colors.

How to get there: The pagoda is 60km south of Jinghong. From the main bus station in Jinghong, buses run every 30 minutes from 8am to 5pm. The fare is RMB10

Cost:RMB5

The Botanic Garden of Tropical Plants (redai zhiwuyuan) is one of the major attractions in Xishuangbanna. Situated on Hulu Island, the garden contains 3,000 different types of plant. The environment here is spectacular, surrounded by rivers and mountains and containing a welath of rare and unusual plants, trees and flowers. Dragon Blood Tree is one of the most interesting and valuable species in the garden. Its sap is used as a remedy to stop bleeding and promote blood circulation.

How to get there: From the main bus station in Jinghong, take a bus heading towards Mengla or Menglun. These buses leave every hour from 7:30-15:00. Get off the bus at Xiao Menglun town. The fare is RMB12.

Cost: RMB20

There is an old saying that if you haven’t been to Olive Plain (ganlan ba), then you haven’ t been to Xishuangbanna. Exaggerated as this may be, there is an element of truth in this fable! The name for this area derives from the olive-shaped land covered with dense forest, which is covered by betel palms, coconut palms, oil palms and banana trees all year long. Within the forest, bamboo houses on stilts and typical Buddhist pagodas can be seen. Slim and graceful Dai girls in colorful traditional ankle-length sarongs and woven bamboo hats carry split-bamboo baskets, selling sweet fruit and melons and other home made local produce. Hospitable villagers around here often invite visitors into their homes and serve them tea!

How to get there: From the main bus station in Jinghong, buses run every 20 minutes from 7:30-21:00 to the olive plain. The fare is RMB6.

The National Minorities Park (minzu fengqingyuan) is located near the pretty Liusha River, 1 km from Jinghong. Occupying an area of 30 hectares, the park is covered with all kinds of tropical fruit trees. Six ethnic minority groups including Dai, Akha, Jinuo, Bulang, La and Ya.

Each Wednesday and Saturday evening (and during the holiday season), the park hosts colorful minority folk activities consisting of dancing, drumming and singing performances. When litchi and mango ripen, the park even sets up an orchard where visitors can handpick fruits.

Transportation: The park is conveniently located in the south of Jinghong city. A taxi should cost about RMB10.

The Mange Temple stands beside the beautiful Lancang River. Eastward from Jinhong, the capital city of Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous Prefecture, the temple contains 16 round columns supporting the Dai-style roof. Sculptures of small white elephants are carefully carved here and stand on guard at the temple eaves. Entering the gate of the temple, visitors are met with a 4 meter high sculpture of “Paso” (Sakyamuni) standing on a large throne. Golden dragons, elephants, gods and peacocks are carefully painted on the temple roof and walls and colorful flags hang from each beam, embroidered with fairy tales and various animal patterns symbolizing good luck.

How to get there: the temple is located on the northern bank of the Lancang jiang River, you can take the minibuses in this direction and get off at Mange Zhai, the bus fare is RMB2. You can also take a Taxi which should cost less than RMB15.

The Mandian Waterfall (mandian gongyuan) is arguably the most spectacular of its kind in Xishuangbanna. The waterfall is situated about two and half km from Mandian Village and it’s a pleasant walk to this spot. Water rumbles down from the limestone edge here to form a 30-meter-high, 10-meter-wide silver pool. During the rainy season, the noise created by the tumbling water is almost unbearable! On the right side of the cliff grows a huge tree, whose roots, due to years of erosion are now bare. Encompassing the waterfall is a virgin forest boasting tropical plants as well as various species of wild animal.

Langcang River (lancang jiang), famous for its exotic botanical resources, rises in Tangula Mountain on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and flows out of China through Xishuangbanna. Traveling along the river, the scenery is similar to the Amazon in Brazil: green trees, colorful flowers and unusual animals.

A trip along the river can be divided into two parts, both with Jinghong as the starting point. Going upstream, you can reach Tiger Leaping Rock, where the river narrows to about 20 meters. Starting downstream, you can go as far as the frontier of China, Laos and Burma (Myanmar). The voyage involves a grand mountain view with dense tropical rainforest.

How to get there: It is currently not possible to hire a boat and go on an individual voyage. The only means is to form a group and rent a boat. Alternately, get a glimpse of the river from the Lancang River Bridge in the northeast of Jinghong.

Jinzhen Octagonal Pavilion (jinzhen bajiaoting) is a Buddhist landmark in Xishuangbanna. This area, being close to the birth place of Sakymuni, is home to numerous faithful adherents of Buddhism. To pay homage to Buddha, residents here constructed a temple according to the octagonal shape of Sakymuni’s golden cap in 1701.

The temple is composed of three parts: the base is made from brick, the body and roof, from wood. Delicate golden pictures and patterns adorn the outer walls of the temple and inside stands an impressive golden statue of Buddha. The roof of the pavilion is novel with a fantastic eight-sectioned ten-tiered roof rising steeply to a round cupola, topped by a 4-meter-high iron pole. Round the roof hang pretty copper bells. On the 15th and 30th of every month (Tai year), all Buddhas in Jinzhen congregate here to listen to the local eminent monk deliver his sermon.

How to get there: The pavilion is located 16km west of Menghai County, you can take buses from Jinghong to Mengzhe and get off at the pavilion, the fare is RMB10.

Cost: RMB5