Zong Buddha Temple is more photogenic than Manting Park (with a tour and photography guide)

Connected to Manting Park, Zong Buddha Temple, in Dai language called 'Wa Ba Jie', was founded in 615 AD and has a history of over 1400 years. It is the first temple built after Theravada Buddhism was introduced to Xishuangbanna. However, the temple has been rebuilt five times, and the splendid appearance we see today is after reconstruction. Manting Park is the oldest park in Xishuangbanna and was once the royal garden of the Dai kings, with a history of over 1300 years. Visitors usually enter from Manting Park, move on to Zong Buddha Temple, and then return. ⚠️Keep your paper ticket safe, Zong Buddha Temple is free, but you need it to re-enter Manting Park for a second check. 🌸Tour route: Park main gate - Royal Garden - Dai King's Palace - Yulan Garden - City Heart Pagoda - Octagonal Corridor Bridge - White Pagoda - Earth Goddess - Zong Buddha Temple 🌸Tour and photography tips 🪷It's recommended to buy your own costume, either online or at the Banna night market, for just tens of yuan. The ones at the park entrance are dirty and expensive, getting a hairstyle done for the handicapped party is okay, 30 yuan (reference price) 🪷Manting Park is almost never less crowded, in the morning it's all travel groups blocking the entrance, and the time before closing is a bit rushed. 🪷For a good photo shoot, Zong Buddha Temple is less crowded: The first floor Buddha platform, the second floor corridor Stairs decorated with mythical beasts at the four corners Exterior walls inlaid with zodiac reliefs Stairs of the bell tower on the right side, with magnolias outside 🪷Enter and head to the Royal Garden first, moving in the opposite direction of the travel groups to encounter fewer people. 🪷The bougainvillea flower wall is near the theater, popular for travel photography (the flowers wither in April) 🪷City Heart Pagoda is the central place for Banna people to worship on specific festivals, very dazzling with gold and glitter. The doors and windows on all four sides of the building are the best to photograph, find the side where the sun can shine. 🪷The red building of the Royal Elephant Cafe is a twin pagoda in the style of Pagan, Cambodia, and is the most crowded, easier to shoot in parts. The Dai King's patrol performance at 11:00 daily also takes place at the white pavilion at the entrance. 🪷Built in 1846, the tall Vajrasana-style White Pagoda group is one of the landmarks of Manting Park, consisting of a main pagoda and eight smaller pagodas. 🪷Opposite the White Pagoda is the Earth Goddess, a witness to the good deeds of Sakyamuni in Theravada Buddhism. There is a dragon head spouting water below the sculpture, symbolizing 'washing hands with a golden basin'. 🌸Manting Park Address: No. 35 Manting Road, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 (Zong Buddha Temple 8:00-18:00) Ticket: 40 yuan/adult