I could visit Xishuangbanna 99 more times just for this rainforest manor.

I'd heard that You Ran Tai was the pinnacle of homestays in Xishuangbanna, a must-visit for travelers and a top choice for many celebrities. From the moment I stepped through You Ran Tai's gates, I understood what "living up to its reputation" truly meant. I'd never seen a homestay like this before: only five rooms, yet occupying an entire mountain. The path winds through lush, untamed rainforest. This isn't the neatly planted greenery of a manicured garden; it's wild, every branch pulsing with life. But wild doesn't mean unrefined. It's clear that someone has carefully arranged and tended to this space, with tropical flowers perfectly placed throughout the rainforest, like little elves peeking into the human world. The main building is made of wood. The Swiss owner, Lao Bo, built it from salvaged old house components, going against the local trend of demolishing traditional stilt houses and replacing them with concrete structures. This deconstruction and reconstruction gives the place a blend of rustic Dai charm and spacious, bright modernity. My favorite spot is the hammock and rocking chair outside the Wangjiang Pavilion. Surrounded by birdsong and fragrant flowers, watching the Lancang River flow below, I felt a sense of detachment, like "my heart finds peace with the bright moon, my body free as a wandering cloud." Though my spirit soared, I couldn't resist earthly delights. The homestay offers both Chinese and Western cuisine. I chose Western and enjoyed Italian dumplings, cold soup, ginger-soy pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, fruit, vegetable, and walnut salad, and passionfruit and strawberry ice cream. The finest local ingredients combined with regional seasonings created a unique culinary journey, Western yet infused with Xishuangbanna's distinct flavors. One visit to a place like this isn't enough. You need multiple trips to fully appreciate the sounds of insects on sunny days and the patter of rain, to witness the sunrises and sunsets, to share tea and conversation with Lao Bo and Rong Rong, the housekeeper, and to escape the world for a while and rediscover yourself.