Day 1: Rainforest Adventure and Hot Spring Relaxation
*Accommodation: Stay at a hot spring resort hotel in Xishuangbanna that combines rainforest scenery with modern architectural style, such as the Peacock Valley Hot Spring VILLA Resort.
*Itinerary:
- Hiking in Tropical Rainforest of Jinuo Mountain (Daytime): Located deep in the tropical forest, Jinuo Mountain was originally a settlement for the Jinuo people. Surrounded by lush primeval forests teeming with diverse flora and fauna. You can see various exotic plants and taste local delicacies such as wild banana hearts, tea leaves, and sour ants. Knowledgeable guides will patiently introduce various insects, plants, and animals, explaining their characteristics and habits to enhance your understanding of nature. There are also activities loved by jungle adventurers, such as climbing thousand-year-old strangler figs and jungle swings, allowing you to get close to nature and experience the original features of the tropical rainforest. Jinuo Mountain offers 22 different routes, including rainforest hiking trails in Bapo, Bapiao, and Baduo. These routes are nestled within Jinuo settlements, offering immersive natural encounters and cultural insights in Yunnan Xishuangbanna travel. Be sure to prepare rain boots, sun protection, and mosquito repellent before embarking on this adventure. (Opening hours: all year round 08:30-17:00)
- Peacock Valley Tropical Hot Spring (Evening): Peacock Valley Tropical Hot Spring is located in the tropical rainforest of Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, providing a harmonious and immersive hot spring experience. There are various public hot spring pools with different therapeutic functions and temperatures, including rose pools, Dai medicinal pools, fish therapy pools, and coffee pools, as well as private courtyard-style guestroom pools. During Xishuangbanna travel in Hot Spring, visitors can not only enjoy premium hot spring baths and fully relax while experiencing the nourishing hot spring water, but also appreciate the distinctive tropical charm and Dai culture of Xishuangbanna. (Opening hours: all year round 08:30-23:00)
*Dining Options:
Breakfast: Xishuangbanna Glutinous Rice
Lunch: Eco-conscious “Rainforest Meal” at Jinuo Mountain
Dinner: Specialty restaurant in Peacock Valley
*Accommodation: Stay in a traditional Dai traditional architecture near Manting Park, such as the Xishuangbanna Elephant Idea Guesthouse
*Itinerary:
- Manyuan Village (Morning): Manyuan Village, meaning “beautiful scenic place” in Dai, is located in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Nestled amidst picturesque mountains and rivers, the village boasts a unique natural environment. It preserves the traditional layout, residential architecture, customs, and cultural traditions of the Xishuangbanna Dai people, featuring rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage resources. The village is one of the best Xishuangbanna travel destination for natural and cultural exploration, offers several hands-on experience centers for traditional crafts, allowing visitors to engage in activities such as handmade paper-making, slow-wheel pottery, palm-leaf manuscript production and other traditional crafts, experiencing various aspects of rural life and ethnic culture. (Opening hours: all year and all day round)
- Xishuangbanna Dai Ethnic Garden (Afternoon): Located in Menghan Town, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Ethnic Garden is a premier ethnic eco-tourism destination showcasing the history, culture, religion, and customs of the Dai people. This park is home to exquisite Dai bamboo houses and ancient pagodas nestled among lush greenery, offering a sense of nature, simplicity, and tranquility. Major attractions include in the Manchunman Ancient Buddhist Temple, Dai villages, a bustling marketplace, a water-splashing plaza, and an open-air theater. The park also regularly hosts large-scale festivals, water-splashing events, and Dai dance performances, allowing visitors to learn about Buddhist culture and Dai history. In the afternoon, you can enjoy water-splashing festivities, savor local Xishuangbanna food, and try on ethnic costumes, making it a must-see for Xishuangbanna attractions. (Opening hours: all year round, 08:00-18:00)
- Bonfire Evening Party – “Night of Mekong River” (Evening): The “Night of Mekong River” song and dance bonfire party is a themed event held every evening at Xishuangbanna Manting Park, featuring performances, floating water lanterns, and a bonfire party, blending ethnic customs, exotic landscapes, and humorous interactive experiences. It offers a glimpse into the original lifestyle, cultural atmosphere, and ethnic customs of Xishuangbanna and the countries along the Lancang-Mekong River, showcasing the region’s diverse culture experience of Xishuangbanna tour. (Opening hours: all year round 18:30-21:30)
*Dining Options:
Breakfast: Xishuangbanna Bamboo Rice
Lunch: Xishuangbanna specialties: Pounded Chicken Feet, Dai-Style Grilled Pork Belly, etc.
Dinner: Dai-style buffet in Manting Park
*Accommodation: Stay in a hotel with a stunning view of the Luosuo River near the Xishuangbanna Botanical Garden, such as the Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort.
*Itinerary:
- Xishuangbanna Wild Elephant Valley (Morning): Xishuangbanna Wild Elephant Valley is the habitat of Asian elephants in China, combining tropical plant ecology and rare animal protection. Visitors can safely observe elephants without disturbing them and get close to them through attractions like the Elevated Elephant Viewing Walkway, Rainforest Sightseeing Cableway, Asian Elephant Museum, Asian Elephant Breeding Base, and Asian Elephant Performance School. This park is one of the top Xishuangbanna tourist attractions for those interested in wildlife conservation and nature photography, providing chance to get close to the elephants and interact with them in various ways, gain a deep understanding of their habits and the importance of their protection. The valley is rich in natural resources, including tropical rainforests, South Asian subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests, and numerous rare plant and animal species, offering visitors a chance to explore diverse and exotic flora and fauna. (Opening hours: 08:00-18:00)
- Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Afternoon): Located in Menglun Town, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, this is a comprehensive research institution integrating scientific research, species preservation, and science education, and is also a tourist attraction. The garden is divided into the East Zone and the West Zone. The East Zone features the original tropical rainforest, ideal for hiking, while the West Zone consists of several smaller themed gardens. Additionally, the botanical garden houses a museum and offers educational activities such as “Exploring the Tropical Rainforest” and “Green Island Adventures,” showcasing tropical rainforest landscapes and ethnic forest culture to visitors. In the evening, there are night tours, known as “Ulan Shadow”. Knowledgeable guides will lead visitors to discover the kingdom of insects. From April to August, it is the best season to observe fireflies, and visitors may encounter them in the rainforest. (Opening hours: 08:00-18:00)
*Dining Options:
Breakfast: Rice noodles (Mi gan)
Lunch: Xishuangbanna specialties: Wrapped Fish with Vegetables, Lemongrass Grilled Fish, Hand Grab Rice, etc.
Dinner: Wild Mushroom Hot Pot
*Accommodation: Stay at a unique rainforest view hotel near Gaozhuang Xishuangjing, such as the Xishuangbanna Jinghong Yanting Anyu Walk Rainforest Red Room hotel.
*Itinerary:
- Xishuangbanna Grand Temple (Morning): Xishuangbanna Grand Temple, located in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna, is a typical example of Dai Buddhist architecture style, featuring vibrant colors, grand structures, and exquisite carvings. The key buildings include the Weihan Hall and the Buddhist Academy teaching building. This temple serves as a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhist devotees in Xishuangbanna. Its unique architectural style and cultural significance attract many visitors and worshippers who come to experience the profound religious atmosphere. (Opening hours: 08:00-17:30)
- Dai Show Theater (Afternoon): Located in the Sunac Xishuangbanna Tourism Resort, the Dai Show Theater is a modern performance venue showcasing Dai cultural charm. Taking Xishuangbanna’s rich natural and cultural landscape as the background, the show presents the region’s authentic cultural life and vividly reflects the inclusive charm of multi-ethnic culture. The Dai Show integrates various performance forms such as music, dance, acrobatics, sports, and special effects, blending nature, technology, culture, and art into a realistic and dreamlike visual and auditory feast. The Xishuangbanna travel experience wouldn’t be complete without attending this spectacular show. (Opening hours: 10:00-21:30)
- Gaozhuang Xishuangjing (Evening): Gaozhuang Xishuangjing, located in Jinghong City, is a leisure and vacation area that combines dining, entertainment, and accommodation. Attractions include the Jinghong Golden Pagoda, Mekong River Six-Country Water Market, and Starlight Night Market in Xishuangbanna. You can visit the illuminated Golden Pagoda at night, enjoy the dazzling lights; stroll through the Starlight Night Market, savor Dai-style barbecue, tropical fruits, and various handicrafts; and take a starlight boat ride at the Mekong River Six States Floating Market to appreciate the unique nighttime charm of Xishuangbanna. Whether you’re new to China travel or a repeat visitor, this is an essential stop on your Xishuangbanna travel itinerary. (Opening hours: all year round)
*Dining Options:
Breakfast: Grilled rice cakes
Lunch: Xishuangbanna specialties: Pineapple Rice, Lemongrass Grilled Ribs, Fish Soup with Pebbles, etc.
Dinner: Gaozhuang Peacock Feast
