Top 10 Best Things to Do in Xishuangbanna



王晋德

Visiting the Dipterocarp Garden at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences March 21, 2025, 14:51. The weather was very pleasant during the visit to the Dipterocarp Garden at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dipterocarpaceae plants are mainly distributed in tropical Asia and are representative tree species of Southeast Asian tropical rainforests, comprising 15 genera and 580 species. The 13 species from 5 genera distributed in China are all listed as nationally protected rare and endangered plants. The Dipterocarp Garden covers an area of ​​approximately 6.7 hectares and has collected and preserved all species from my country and some species distributed in Southeast Asia, making it a very valuable Dipterocarp Garden.

风雨大漠客1969

It's astonishing! Although smaller in scale, its luxurious and opulent style exudes imperial grandeur. Golden decorations, Dai-style stilted houses, and roofs with their signature steep "A" shape, along with deep, overhanging eaves that provide both sun protection and drainage, are all present. The buildings extensively use vibrant colors like gold and red, complemented by auspicious Dai motifs such as dragons, phoenixes, and peacocks. The beams, pillars, doors, and windows are exquisitely carved, and some structures even incorporate pagoda spires and reliefs, creating a strong religious and royal atmosphere. The buildings and pavilions blend seamlessly with the natural environment. Roads extend along streams and flowerbeds, with palaces, temples, and pavilions scattered throughout, embodying the harmonious concept of coexistence between humanity and nature.

233***65

I opted for the entrance ticket plus rainforest elephant grazing package, and it was great. It included rainforest elephant grazing, giving me the opportunity to interact with Asian elephants. Although the time was a bit short, walking with elephants in the rainforest was a unique experience. The park management was excellent, and the staff were very friendly. The route was also very convenient; there's a direct tourist bus from Gaozhuang, and the tour guide on the bus was very helpful, explaining important information and there were no hidden costs. Thumbs up!

Elsie 丁

Overall, it was great. It would have been even better if the electric carts could be used for round-trip transportation; going up the mountain was too tiring. We originally planned to watch the peacock release before participating in the activities, but we were lucky to see the peacocks displaying their plumage on the way down! The jungle trek (Section A) was a bit pricey, but the kids had a lot of fun. They even fed the monkeys and saw the Tyndall effect, which we explained to them.

158***36

Getting to the Dai Ethnic Garden is very convenient! At the Peacock Garden, enjoy the peacock dance performed by Dai girls, visit the White Pagoda Temple and Golden Pagoda Temple, see the Dai stilted houses, and try the lemongrass-grilled fish. Young people can participate in the water-splashing activities at the Water Splashing Square for a refreshing blessing.

M42***17

This group-buying package offers the best value for money online. Not only did we have a fantastic time, but it also included a rainforest meal. The air in the mountains was so fresh, the streams were crystal clear, and the scenery was breathtaking. Highly recommended! 👍

爱兔兔的蛙蛙

First, I must commend the view of Jinghong City from Mingjingtai; it's truly spectacular. Second, the Giant Buddha is particularly awe-inspiring and reassuring. The Zhuangkai Golden Pagoda and its reflection in the water are also fantastic. However, the ticket price is exorbitantly high. The entrance fee, sightseeing bus, and Mingjingtai (after a 10 RMB discount using points) totaled 138 RMB. Yet, this is built on the site of the former Jingpiao Buddhist Temple, a place steeped in centuries of history, but there's not even a decent introduction to it. Some of the Buddha halls (Longevity Hall) are just plain white walls inside—what can you say about that? 138 RMB for absolutely no historical significance! 😮‍💨

_We***52

The Hopea trees are very tall, but the scenic area isn't very large, and there's not much to see. Any additional activities inside cost extra, like taking photos or drone videos, and the prices are quite high: 40 yuan per photo, 90 yuan per drone video – too expensive! Even as someone from the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai area, I found it pricey. Considering local prices, it's clearly a tourist trap. 🐶 The scenic area is very small; even the longest path, Philip Trail, is only 2 kilometers long. The entrance fee is already high, and the boat ride is literally just a boat ride; there's absolutely no interesting explanation or scenery to speak of. The main focus is on how great the restaurants at the entrance are – you're paying for advertising! 🤣 But many paid attractions in Xishuangbanna are like this: you feel it's a pity not to go, but you feel it's not worth it if you do. Oh well, at least I saw the towering Hopea trees and the adorable hairy-edged mushrooms earlier, which is some consolation!

yao***ke

The park is small and has a vintage feel. It's very clean, and the security guards are very friendly and patient in answering questions. I suggest adding a toilet seat to the restrooms for the elderly.

L乐游

The scenery was beautiful, but since it's this season, most of the fruits were gone. Besides some papayas and jackfruits, there were very few others. However, it's still worth a visit for tourists from northern regions.