9 Must-Visit Places in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan for a Six-Day Five-Night Trip

1️⃣ Guandu Ancient Town: This was the first place I visited upon arrival, as the hotel I stayed at was not far from here. I took a taxi directly. It is one of Kunming's famous historical and cultural ancient towns, with many streets inside that are home to a variety of traditional local snacks and delicacies. The saying 'Five Mountains, Six Temples, Seven Pavilions, and Eight Temples' refers to this place, which still retains many cultural architectural relics. 2️⃣ Fuxian Lake: The lake scenery is as vast as the sea and it's great for taking photos on sunny days. Along the way, you can see fields of flowers and blue skies, which perfectly showcase the essence of Spring City Kunming. 3️⃣ Mojiang Tropic of Cancer: This is where the geographical Tropic of Cancer passes through, marking the boundary between the tropical and temperate zones. It divides Mojiang into two climatic zones, with half in the north temperate zone and half in the subtropical zone. This place is also known as the 'Land of Twins,' and it is said that drinking water from the Twins' Well and sleeping in the Twins' Bed can lead to the birth of twins. 4️⃣ Wild Elephant Valley: A bridge for human communication with Asian wild elephants, located in the Mengyangzi Nature Reserve, a national nature reserve in Xishuangbanna. The Butterfly Valley inside Wild Elephant Valley is worth a visit, with a variety of butterflies 🦋, and butterfly specimens available for purchase at the exit. 5️⃣ Primitive Forest Park: It is recommended to take the electric car, as it stops at several points of interest. The rainforest is a lively place where you can watch Dai dances and participate in water-splashing activities. For the peacock release, it's best to arrive early to get a good spot, preferably in the first row for a better view. If you arrive late when it's crowded, you might not find a seat. The opening act includes a song and dance performance, and the most spectacular feature is the sight of hundreds of peacocks being released at the sound of a whistle. The underwater world of the Mekong River is also here, where you can see a variety of fish and mermaid performances. 6️⃣ Gaozhuang Night Market: The Starlight Night Market is divided into several zones, located to the east and west of the Golden Pagoda. At night, many tourists dressed in Dai costumes take photos here, as if they were in a foreign land. The large square is bustling with various vendors' goods. 7️⃣ Manting Park: Manting Park is the oldest park in Xishuangbanna. The Dai people traditionally call it 'Chunhuan,' meaning 'Garden of the Soul.' It was once the royal garden of the Dai kings of Xishuangbanna. 8️⃣ Big Buddha Temple: Showcasing the history and traditional culture of Theravada Buddhism, Mengle Great Buddha Temple was reconstructed on the site of the ancient Dai royal monastery 'Jingpiao Buddha Temple.' 'Jingpiao Buddha Temple' was built by a Dai king named Balong in memory of his deceased queen, Nansha Weibian. 9️⃣ Dianchi Lake Haigeng Park: In September, there are no seagulls, just a few white birds in the distance, unclear if they are seagulls. The scenery here is very beautiful on sunny days, suitable for strolling and cycling. Haigeng Wetland Park can be visited together, and if time allows, you can experience boating in the forest, which children will love. However, we decided to skip it when we saw the queue. 📝 Note tips: Xishuangbanna has very strong ultraviolet rays, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun. There may be occasional rain showers, so it's a good idea to keep an umbrella in your bag. There are also quite a few mosquitoes around, so consider bringing some mosquito repellent bracelets and mosquito repellent.