Ganlanba Morning Market, Xishuangbanna

Overview of Olive Dam

Olive Dam (橄榄坝), located downstream of the Lancang River (澜沧江) in Jinghong City (景洪市), is a well-known tourist spot situated just 40 kilometers from downtown Jinghong. Open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, this small basin spans about 40-50 square kilometers, with the Lancang River flowing through its center. At an elevation of only 530 meters, Olive Dam is the lowest point in Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), and also the hottest. This warm climate has endowed Olive Dam with an abundance of tropical fruits, including coconuts, betel nuts, bananas, mangoes, lychees, starfruit, jackfruit, and passion fruit. In addition to fresh fruit, the area is famous for producing a variety of dried fruit products.

Olive Dam Market: A Xishuangbanna Essential

The Olive Dam market (橄榄坝集市) is a highlight of any trip to Xishuangbanna. Many visitors, including myself, come specifically for the market. It’s vibrant, lively, and brimming with charm—once you’re there, you won’t want to leave! Instead of just taking pictures or visiting gardens, stop by Olive Dam for a real taste of local life—you won’t regret it!

I took a bus from the Xishuangbanna Passenger Station to Menghan Town (勐罕镇), a 40-minute journey. After arriving, I walked for about 10 minutes to Olive Dam Bridge (橄榄坝大桥). It was a Saturday, and I heard that the market lasts the entire day, so I followed the local tradition and spent two hours exploring it. The market itself isn’t very large, but with so much to see and taste, time flies by.

Fruits Galore

The fruits at Olive Dam are cheaper than in the city, and their variety and freshness are unmatched. From large lychees to golden jackfruit, green mangoes, roasted bananas, pink wax apples, tamarind (one of my personal favorites), and san’ya fruit (三丫果)—a delicious sweet-and-sour fruit that I highly recommend. I bought over 10 kilograms of it!

Dai Cuisine Delights

Olive Dam is also a paradise for food lovers, especially those keen on Dai-style (傣族) cuisine. The market offers a wide array of fermented fish, cured meats, mixed vegetable salads, and an abundance of fried and grilled snacks. Some of the standout dishes include:

  • Fried Pig and Cow Skin: Crispy and flavorful, though not greasy. I also tried an olive vegetable stir-fry with snails, which was surprisingly tasty, despite its less-than-appetizing appearance.
  • Sticky Rice Treats: Various forms of sticky rice, both white and purple, are available. You can enjoy them steamed, fried, or grilled, with accompaniments like roasted green peppers, pickled vegetables, and meat patties. The sticky rice with seaweed-like greens (青苔) has a unique flavor reminiscent of a seaweed salad and is a must-try.
  • Dai-Style Roast Chicken (赶摆鸡): A cold chicken salad often seen at the market. It’s usually sold whole, and while I didn’t try it myself, it looked tempting.
  • Pork and Fish Wrapped in Leaves (包烧): Grilled and wrapped in banana leaves, these are a local favorite. If you’re unsure what to pick, follow the locals!
  • Fermented Meats (酸肉酸鱼): The fish is eaten raw, while the meat is usually cooked. It’s an authentic Dai culinary experience.
  • Dai-Style Doughnuts (傣族甜甜圈): Fried on the spot, these sticky rice flour doughnuts come in white and purple varieties and are sold by the skewer or individually. At just 1 yuan each, they are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and utterly addictive.

Beyond the Market

After shopping and eating, you can stroll along the Lancang River and enjoy the tropical ambiance. The market is just a 3-5 minute walk from the local farmers’ market, known as the Manmohan Specialty Market (橄榄坝曼么罕特色集市). It’s a small but well-stocked market offering everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to daily necessities.

Getting There

  • Location: Menghan Town (勐罕镇). Use navigation apps to find Jingha Bridge (景哈大桥) or Olive Dam Bridge (橄榄坝大桥), but don’t cross the bridge.
  • Transportation: You can take a taxi or hire a car. A car ride from the high-speed rail station costs around 50 yuan (negotiable). Alternatively, take a bus from the Xishuangbanna Passenger Station or along Menghan Road (勐罕路). The fare is 10 yuan, and the trip takes about 20-30 minutes. After arriving, it’s a short 3-5 minute walk to the market.

Recommended Day Trip: Olive Dam Market + Dai Village Park

Why Visit?

If you’re short on time in Xishuangbanna, the Dai Village Park (傣族园景区) is an excellent one-day trip. It offers a rich cultural experience, combining visits to Buddhist temples, golden and silver pagodas, traditional Dai villages, and the excitement of a water-splashing festival. You can even visit a border pier that overlooks three countries at once! The Dai Village Park is conveniently located next to the Olive Dam market, so you can start your day with some shopping and breakfast before heading to the park for sightseeing.

Admission Fees and Tips

  • Tickets: 45 yuan per person. A combo ticket with an electric cart is 68 yuan per person—highly recommended due to the size of the park.
  • Electric Cart Stops: The park’s electric carts stop at four main locations:
    1. Manchunman Temple (曼春满寺)
    2. Manting Buddhist Temple (曼听佛寺)
    3. Water-Splashing Square (泼水广场)
    4. Border Pier (边境码头)

These stops cover the highlights of the park. Aside from the Border Pier, the other sites are surrounded by villages you can explore, and there’s a Peacock Garden near the Water-Splashing Square.

Water-Splashing Festival

The Water-Splashing Square offers the iconic Dai water-splashing festival, with two sessions daily: 1:30 PM to 2:10 PM, and 3:30 PM to 4:10 PM. Join the fun and get soaked, or simply enjoy the spectacle from a dry spot.

Pro Tips:

  1. The park contains five of the best-preserved Dai villages: Manjiang (曼将), Manchunman (曼春满), Manting (曼听), Manzha (曼乍), and Manga (曼嘎). These villages are still inhabited by locals and are less commercialized, making them perfect for exploration.
  2. Bring a change of clothes if you plan to participate in the water-splashing festivities.
  3. Power banks are a must! There are many photo-worthy spots, and the park’s power banks need to be returned to the exact location where they were rented.
  4. The Olive Dam morning market is a great place to start your day. You can buy fresh fruits for breakfast before heading to the park.
  5. The park has several restaurants and homestays run by locals. They provide a unique cultural experience and are suitable for families and elderly travelers, especially since you can drive into the park if you stay overnight in the village.