Manjingbao Village of Gasa Town in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna

Manjingbao Village (曼景保村) belongs to Manzhangzai Village Committee (曼掌宰村委会), Gasa Town (嘎洒镇), Jinghong City (景洪市), Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It is located in the dam area, 2.5 km east of Gasa Town (嘎洒镇) and 2.5 km from Manzhangzai Village Committee (曼掌宰村委会). The village covers an area of 1.15 square kilometers, with an altitude of 603 meters. The average annual temperature is 22.6°C, and the annual precipitation is 1,200 mm.

Cultural History

“Manjingbao” means “old place” in the Dai language, referring to an ancient well near the village. Legend has it that in the Dai calendar year 674 (1313 AD), the guards of the King of Mengle (勐泐) built the “Diejiajian Long Well (爹卡笕龙井)” here, gradually forming a settlement that later developed into Manjingbao Village (曼景保村). The village has a history of over a thousand years, dating back to the Dai calendar year 542 (1085 AD). The entire village was built around the Manjingbao Buddhist Temple (曼景保佛寺).

Folk Culture

Manjingbao Village (曼景保村) preserves rich traditional Dai culture, including Dai-style stilt houses, ancient Buddhist temples, old village gates, village centers, ancient wells, and sacred Bodhi trees. The village also inherits traditional handicrafts such as palm-leaf scriptures (贝叶经) and Dai brocade (傣锦), as well as folk arts like Zhangha (章哈). Additionally, the village is known for its unique Dai cuisine, including grilled fish, roasted chicken, and purple sticky rice.

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Gasa Town (嘎洒镇) has a tropical humid climate, with an average annual temperature of 22.6°C and annual precipitation of 1,200 mm. The best time to visit is from November to April.

Recommended Attractions & Visiting Time

  • Manjingbao Buddhist Temple: A historic Buddhist temple renowned for its exquisite architecture and stunning scenery. Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours.
  • Traditional Dai Houses: Stroll through the village lanes and admire the unique Dai stilt houses. Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours.
  • Ancient Well “Diejiajian Long Well “: Explore this nearly thousand-year-old well and learn about its history. Recommended visit time: 0.5-1 hour.

Transportation

From downtown Jinghong (景洪), take the highway to Gasa Town (嘎洒镇) and then proceed to Manjingbao Village (曼景保村). The total distance is about 6.5 km. Visitors can take local rural buses, taxis, or drive themselves.

Food

Manjingbao Village (曼景保村) offers authentic Dai cuisine, including:

  • Grilled Fish: Fresh fish charcoal-grilled to crispy perfection.
  • Purple Sticky Rice: Soft, fragrant glutinous rice made from purple rice.

Shopping

Local specialties include Pu’er tea (普洱茶) and handicrafts, available at village markets.

Accommodation

The village has a few simple guesthouses. For more comfortable lodging, hotels in Jinghong City (景洪市) are recommended.

Travel Tips

  • Respect local customs, especially when visiting the village.
  • Bring mosquito repellent when exploring mountainous areas.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Manjingbao Village (曼景保村), check into a guesthouse, and visit Manjingbao Buddhist Temple (曼景保佛寺).
Day 2: Walk through the village to admire traditional Dai houses and visit the ancient well “Diejiajian Long Well (爹卡笕龙井).”
Day 3: Shop for local products at the market before departing.

Manjingbao Village (曼景保村) is a charming destination with rich natural beauty and unique ethnic culture. Here, you can experience the borderland’s charm and the traditional lifestyle of the Dai people. We hope you have an unforgettable journey in Manjingbao Village (曼景保村).