XishuangBanna Primitive Forest Park
Chinese Name:西双版纳原始森林公园
English Name:Xishuangbannan Primitive Forest Park
Located 8 kilometers east of Jinghong and north of the Lancang River, Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park is the closest untouched forest to the city of Jinghong. Established on 25,000 acres of tropical valley rainforest, the park boasts a forest coverage of over 98%, making it a natural oxygen bar.
The park features a range of activities including valley rainforest exploration, peacock displays, folk performances, local cuisine, and water-splashing festivals. It is one of the largest comprehensive ecological tourist attractions in Xishuangbanna.
The park embraces a lifestyle concept centered on nature, ecology, environmental protection, relaxation, and health, highlighted through seasonal cultural events: the ethnic New Year season in winter, peacock culture season in spring, rainforest culture season in summer, and ethnic costume season in autumn. From the park’s reopening until December 31, 2020, medical personnel and law enforcement across China are eligible for free admission.
Park Facilities
The Peafowl Mountain Villa, built to a four-star standard, serves as a leisure resort, showcasing green living amidst the rainforest. It offers 51 rooms, including 45 standard rooms and 6 suites. The waterside restaurant can accommodate 200 guests and offers various ethnic dishes and traditional Dai-style banquets.
The villa also features two medium-sized multifunctional conference halls equipped with professional control and sound systems for multimedia services.
Discount Information
As of February 2020, the park offers free entry to medical personnel nationwide.
Transportation Information
External Transport At the Agricultural Bank of China bus stop opposite Jinghong City’s Jingyong Hotel, take the bus to the Forest Park with departures every hour from 8:00 to 12:00, and at 15:00, 16:30, and 17:30 in the afternoon. The fare is 5 RMB per person.
Internal Transport Inside the park, electric carts are available at 40 RMB per one-way trip or 50 RMB for a full circuit, stopping at various attractions along the way.
Xishuangbanna
Historically known as “Mengbalanasi,” meaning “ideal and magical land,” Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture is located at the southern tip of Yunnan Province, China. Covering 26,310 acres with a forest coverage of 98.6%, it is the best-preserved original forest south of the Tropic of Cancer. The park combines the mystical natural scenery of the rainforest with rich ethnic customs, focusing on three main themes: tropical valley rainforest, wildlife exhibits centered around peacock culture, and folk customs predominantly of the Hani and Ai Ni people. It features the Peafowl Mountain Villa, a four-star resort offering accommodation, dining, meetings, and entertainment.
Xishuangbanna is famous for its tropical rainforest landscapes and ethnic culture, making it one of China’s top tourist destinations. The Water-Splashing Festival, held annually from April 13-15, is known as the “Eastern Carnival.”
Forest Park
The Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park, situated in the Caiyang River valley to the east of Jinghong and north of the Lancang River, is approximately 8 kilometers from the state capital. The park, located at an altitude of 720 to 1355 meters, covers 30,000 acres and primarily focuses on tropical rainforest research and tourism while incorporating ethnic displays and leisure activities.
The area features a diverse ecosystem with rare animals like Asian elephants, hornbills, peacocks, and black-crowned gibbons, and unique plants such as the hope tree and Yunnan nutmeg. The park includes six tourism zones: the park reception area, outdoor recreation zone, sightseeing area, forest protection area, flower and fruit wood area, and the central recreation zone.
Park Attractions
The park includes a primitive hunting area with traditional tools and animals for hunting. Visitors can use bows and arrows to hunt and cook their catch at a designated area. Other attractions include a package-throwing activity with Dai youth, a water rafting point on the Caiyang River, and a peacock garden with over 400 green peacocks. The sightseeing area features vast tropical valley rainforests with various wildlife sightings. The forest protection area showcases ancient trees and unique plants like the living fossil tree and the giant leaf tree. The flower and fruit wood area has a variety of tropical fruits and flowers. The central recreation zone includes an entertainment center, conference services, and ethnic dining options.
Special Cuisine
Xishuangbanna’s Dai cuisine is renowned for its use of glutinous rice, sour flavors, grilled meats, and seafood, often flavored with wild plants. Signature dishes include sour bamboo shoot fish, lemongrass grilled fish, and various local dips.
Browns believe that eating barbecued meats is essential to enjoying meat flavors, so grilled foods are common. Local specialties include grilled mountain rat, pigeon, fish, pork, beef, and dishes like stone fish soup and fried spiders.
Local Food Spots
- Manjinglan Flavor Street: Located in Manjinglan Village, southeast of Jinghong. This former Dai village has been transformed into a street lined with restaurants and traditional performances.
- Golden Beach: The largest barbecue night market in the city, near the Jinghong New Bridge over the Lancang River.
- Manla Village: A Dai village with many new restaurants offering authentic and affordable Dai food.
- Damanmo: A famous Dai village known for its bamboo houses and specialty dishes like grilled chicken and various local snacks.
- Manlongdai Village: Near Mengla County, known for its authentic Dai flavor restaurants operated by villagers.
Tourist Products
- Wooden Paintings: Crafted from fine wood, these depict the clothing, customs, and natural scenery of Xishuangbanna’s ethnic groups.
- Wood Carvings: Traditional items include carved Buddha figures and various animal motifs, while contemporary pieces feature wood elephants and lions.
- Black Pottery: Produced in Menghai County, including a range of functional items like pots and teapots.
- Silver Jewelry and Butterfly Decorations: Traditional silver items such as hairpins, earrings, and bracelets.
Ethnic Festivals
- Dai: Water-Splashing Festival: Held from April 13-15, featuring Buddhist activities, boat races, and water splashing.
- Hani: Gatsungpa Festival: Celebrated from January 2-4, involves making sticky rice cakes and traditional mountain activities.
- Lahu: Lahu Festival: Occurs around the Chinese New Year, featuring sticky rice cakes and traditional dances.
- Blang: Hawsasa Festival: Mid-July event involving family rituals and prayers for safety.
- Jino: Wumok Festival: Held from February 6-8, with drum ceremonies and traditional activities.
Warm Tips
Xishuangbanna has a tropical rainforest climate with mild winters and warm summers. The region experiences a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October. The average annual temperature is 21°C, with no snow even in January. A sweater is generally sufficient for winter.
