Must-see in Xishuangbanna! Golden Pagoda Night Banquet & Rainforest Tour

🛫Day1️⃣ First encounter with Xishuangbanna: Jinghong Golden Pagoda - Starlight Night Market 🌇3:00 PM Arrive in Xishuangbanna The plane lands at Gasa International Airport, and the tropical atmosphere is in the air! It is recommended to book a hotel in Xishuangjing, Gasa in advance, as it is within walking distance of the Golden Pagoda and the night market, saving time and convenience. The "Jimu River View Hotel" where I stayed is super cost-effective, with a terrace overlooking the Lancang River, and the view of the pool reflecting the pagoda is amazing! 🕌5:00 PM Jinghong Golden Pagoda: A collision of Buddha's light and sunset As a landmark of Gasa, the Golden Pagoda combines the essence of Dai and Thai architecture. The main tower is 66.6m high, symbolizing the Lancang River connecting six countries. It is recommended to go in the evening, when the sunset coats the Golden Pagoda with a warm light, and every shot is a blockbuster! 📸 Photo tips: Spot ①: The square in front of the tower, use a wide-angle lens to capture the panoramic view Spot ②: Next to the Bodhi tree on the side, the interlacing of light and shadow creates a super atmosphere Spot ③: The steps at the entrance of the night market, look up to shoot the spire and the starry sky (the lights at night are even more amazing) ⚠️Note: You need to take off your shoes when entering the temple, and avoid wearing revealing clothes such as off-the-shoulder tops and short skirts. 🌌7:30 PM Starlight Night Market: The hustle and bustle of Southeast Asia's largest night market "You haven't been to Banna if you haven't been to the Starlight Night Market!" Under the tens of thousands of oil-paper umbrella lamps, Dai girls, Lao coffee, and Dai barbecue interweave into a dazzling picture. Must-eat list: 🍍Small pineapple (CNY 10 for 3, sweet and juicy!) 🐟Lemongrass grilled fish (crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the spices penetrate the fish) 🌶️Pounded chicken feet (sour and spicy, even better with mango) 🥥Paoluda (coconut flavor + crispy bread, Banna version of "milk tea") 📌 Tips to avoid getting ripped off: Dai costume stalls are concentrated on the riverside tricycles, bargain to CNY 30/set (including jewelry) Choose a CNY 299 boutique small group for photography packages to avoid assembly line shooting The 7:00 PM shift for the fruit boat is the best, and booking tickets on Trip.com is 20% cheaper than on-site 🌿Day2️⃣ Crossing the Secret Realm of the Dai King: Manting Park - General Buddhist Temple - Riverside Night Market 🏞️9:00 AM Manting Park: The Thousand-Year Poetry of the Dai King's Royal Garden Tickets are CNY 40, and it used to be the palace of the Dai King's concubine. Highlights: 🌺"Royal Elephant Culture Museum" feeding elephants (CNY 10/basket), the little elephants will gently rub the palms of your hands with their noses! 🦚Watch hundreds of peacocks flying together in the "Peacock Garden", the 10:00 AM show has the fewest people 🛶"Dai bamboo raft ride" through the tropical water lily pond, as if entering Monet's painting Photo tips: White Pagoda: Wear a bright-colored long dress, run and capture the flying skirt Second floor of the coffee shop: Overlook the green trees, red walls and reflections General Buddhist Temple corridor: Symmetrical composition to capture a sense of sacredness 🕍12:30 PM General Buddhist Temple: The solemn beauty of Theravada Buddhism Go straight from the South Gate of Manting to the General Buddhist Temple (free), which is the highest-level Buddhist temple in Xishuangbanna. Experience highlights: 🙏"Weekday Buddha" worship the corresponding Buddha statue according to your birth date (the Dai calendar algorithm can be consulted with locals) 🔔"Wishing Bell" write your wishes and hang them under the Bodhi tree. It is said that wishes are more likely to come true when the wind blows and the bell rings 📿"Please Buddha card" There are consecrated ornaments in the Dharma circulation office in the temple, and peace charms start from CNY 50 ⚠️Note: Taking pictures in the Buddha hall is prohibited, and you need to keep quiet. 🌃6:00 PM Riverside Night Market: A late-night canteen for locals Compared with the tourist prices of the Starlight Night Market, this place is more down-to-earth! Stretching for 3 km along the Lancang River, it is recommended to start from the "Water Splashing Square" section: 🍢Dai flavored wrapped roast: Banana leaves wrapped in fish/meat, charcoal grilled to bring out the fragrance of plants 🍜Balada: Banana flavor is the most classic, a critical hit of condensed milk + caramel 🥭Cold mixed fruit: The magical combination of green mango + chili salt 📌 Hidden tricks: There are artists singing on the riverside steps, order a song "Phoenix Tail Bamboo under the Moonlight" for CNY 10 Go to the middle section of the stalls to find souvenirs, bargain the Dai brocade scarf to CNY 35, and choose 999 sterling silver for silver jewelry 🧳Tips: Xishuangbanna travel guide to avoid getting ripped off 1️⃣ Transportation: Rent an electric car in Gasa for CNY 50/day to avoid traffic jams It is recommended to charter a car (CNY 300/day) or join a day trip to Wild Elephant Valley/Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden 2️⃣ Mosquito and sun protection: Carry mosquito repellent with you! The mosquitoes in the rainforest are comparable to "fighter jets" Sunscreen + ice sleeves + straw hat three-piece set, the ultraviolet rays in Banna will peel your skin in minutes 3️⃣ Water Splashing Festival surprise (April 13–15): Prepare a waterproof mobile phone bag + quick-drying clothes in advance The main road of Gasa turns into a "water battlefield" after 3:00 PM, and it is more enjoyable to join the water splashing team 4️⃣ Food radar: Avoid the popular stalls in the night market, locals often go to "Youxiang Food Plaza" Must try: Sa Pie Rice Noodles (bitter herbal tea soup base), sour bamboo shoots boiled chicken The beauty of Banna lies in the collision of the golden brilliance of the pagoda and the fireworks of the night market, and the fusion of the rainforest secret realm and the Dai customs. Follow this guide to take explosive photos and enjoy the taste buds! 🌴✨