Site of Dai Palace in Jinghong City, XishuangBanna
Introduction
The Site of Dai Palace (傣王宫遗址) is located within Manting Park (曼听公园) in Jinghong City (景洪市), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳). A portion of this site has been converted into a museum. Unfortunately, my visit was too late for a tour, but the museum mainly chronicles the history and origins of Manting. For those interested in learning more, the site is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. Surrounding the area are a lotus pond (荷花池) and a statue of Premier Zhou Enlai (周总理纪念人像).
The Dai Palace resembles a cultural innovation park for the Dai people (傣族), showcasing a variety of Dai cultural presentations. It is undoubtedly an excellent place to experience Dai clothing, which fits harmoniously into the environment. The site displays Dai architecture, murals, and textiles, vividly depicting the daily lives and activities of the Dai people. The diverse cultural decorations of the Dai people provide wonderful photo opportunities. Additionally, there are Dai restaurants in the park where visitors can relax and savor Dai cuisine after a long walk.
Historical Background
Located four kilometers from Jinghong City (允景洪城), the ancient name was Yun Pakan (允帕钪). This site was once the residence of the highest rulers of Xishuangbanna, known as the Chao Pien Ling (召片领), meaning “the lord of a territory” or “the king of a local dynasty.” Yun Pakan, also known as Xuanwei Street (宣慰街), was the capital of the prosperous Jinglong Golden Hall Kingdom (景陇金殿国), also referred to as the Mengle Kingdom (勐泐国).
According to historical records, during the Song Dynasty (宋朝), the area of Xishuangbanna was governed by the Dali Kingdom (大理国). At that time, many tribes referred to as “Bang” in the Dai language existed in the region, with tribal leaders constantly fighting for territory. To restore peace, the Dali Kingdom issued a call for capable and brave warriors to quell the tribal conflicts, promising to grant them titles as local kings.
A skilled and intelligent leader from the Mengjingzhen tribe (今勐海县勐遮乡景真), named Payazhen (帕雅真, meaning “the leader with outstanding martial arts”), volunteered to answer the call. By employing methods of appeasement, military conquest, and annexation, he successfully quelled the tribal conflicts and formed an alliance among the tribes. After unifying them, he was appointed as a general by Emperor Xiaozong of the Song Dynasty. Subsequently, he was authorized to establish the Jinglong Golden Hall Kingdom, receiving ceremonial weapons and attire from the emperor, and was recognized as the supreme ruler, known as the Golden Crown King (金帽大王).
It is said that after his appointment, Payazhen first established the capital in Jinglan (今景洪市景洪镇曼景兰) due to its central location and flat terrain. However, this site was difficult to defend against foreign attacks, prompting him to relocate the capital to Yun Pakan, surrounded by water on three sides and backed by green mountains—a strategically advantageous site, making Yun Pakan the center of feudal rule in Xishuangbanna.
A street approximately two kilometers long and 30 meters wide was constructed in the area known as Xuanwei Street (宣慰街), named after the Mengle king who was appointed as the Xuanwei Envoy. Nearby, eight villages—Mangangjing (曼岗景), Manlongdong (曼龙东), Mankongzhang (曼空章), Manpasa (曼帕萨), Manle (曼勒), Manwa (曼瓦), Mangga (曼嘎), and Kongke (空柯)—were established. Five Buddhist temples, including Walong (瓦龙), Wazhuangdong (瓦庄董), Wazhangpei (瓦章配), Wazai (瓦宰), and Wamanle (瓦曼勒), along with several stupas, were also built. The riverside was adorned with lawns for recreational activities and horse racing, where local chieftains often gathered. Xuanwei Street experienced a prosperous period.
However, after the Lancang River (澜沧江) flooded, the markets, lawns, roads, and villages were destroyed, leading Xuanwei Street into decline. During the chaotic decade of the Cultural Revolution (十年动乱), the Dai Palace was severely damaged, resulting in the loss of centuries-old cultural relics.
Today’s Mengle Garden (勐泐园)
Mengle Garden (勐泐文化园) is located in the eastern suburbs of Jinghong City, at the confluence of the Lancang River and Liusha River (流沙河), alongside the Jinghong to Ganlanba Highway, just 4 kilometers from the city center. The scenic area encompasses the Dai Palace site, Mengle Museum (勐泐博物馆), and the remnants of the Dai Palace and artifacts, as well as rare monkeys from the tropical rainforest.
Time Needed: 1-3 hours
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:00 (January 1 – December 31, Monday to Sunday)
Location: 140 meters west of the intersection of Jingkuang Lane (景匡巷) and Manting Road (曼听路), Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province (云南省西双版纳傣族自治州景洪市景匡巷与曼听路交叉口西140米)
Travel Notes
After the rain, the Dai Palace (傣王行宫) appeared especially beautiful; the sky was a clear blue, and the golden architecture gleamed magnificently in the sunlight. The exquisite utensils inside showcased the wealth of the Dai royal family. Outside the railing, I noticed a young photographer mesmerized by the scene before him, completely forgetting to press the shutter; I inadvertently captured him in my frame.
Suddenly, I was drawn to the sound of elephant foot drums. Following the sound, I found a grand welcoming ceremony taking place in the square in front of the main gate. Dai girls opened flower umbrellas, performing the peacock dance, while the girls in front sprinkled water from a silver bowl, offering their sincere blessings to the visiting guests.
On the other side, young men from the Aini ethnic group arranged bamboo poles, with eight long poles placed in parallel in four rows. Opening and closing rhythmically to the music’s beat, the girls danced gracefully, skillfully leaping through the crossing poles. As the poles separated, they deftly landed with both feet or one foot, quickly jumping back up before the poles could close, continuously changing their dance steps to perform various graceful movements. Curious children also wanted to try; after several attempts, they finally succeeded and joyfully posed for pictures with the Aini girls.
In front of the Zhou Enlai Water-Splashing Memorial Square (周总理泼水纪念广场), a group of performers recreated the grand scenes of the Dai king’s outings.
It is thanks to the efforts of elder leaders like Premier Zhou Enlai (周总理) that we have today’s harmonious atmosphere of ethnic unity, and we must cherish this hard-won ethnic sentiment, allowing it to continue to thrive.
How to Get There
To reach the Site of Dai Palace in Jinghong City, you can take a taxi or local public transport from Jinghong City center. The journey takes about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can walk if you’re staying nearby, as it’s only about 4 kilometers from the city center.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit is during the dry season (October to April) when the weather is pleasant.
- Cultural Etiquette: When visiting, be respectful of local customs and traditions, especially when interacting with the Dai people.
- Photography: Bring a good camera to capture the stunning architecture and vibrant cultural performances. Be mindful of taking photos of people and ask for permission when necessary.
- Dining: Don’t miss trying the local Dai cuisine at the restaurants in the park, which offer unique flavors and dishes.
