5 Days Xishuangbanna Classic Tour: Rainforest & Dai Culture Experience

Welcome to Xishuangbanna, the home of the Dai people! Upon arrival at Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport, the local guide and driver will meet you at the arrival hall. Transfer to your hotel in Jinghong city. The rest of today is free on your own to explore this southernmost city in Yunnan Province.

Today, immerse yourself in the peaceful countryside of Xishuangbanna with a relaxing cycling adventure.

After breakfast, head to Ganlanba, a traditional Dai ethnic area located along the Mekong River. Cycling through the countryside, you will pass endless rice fields, banana plantations, vegetable gardens, and charming Dai villages. The route is mostly flat with well-paved roads, making it an enjoyable experience for travelers of different ages and fitness levels. Along the way, meet friendly local villagers, visit Buddhist temples, and discover the simple rhythms of rural life.

In the afternoon, visit Dai Minority Garden, where you can learn more about Dai traditions, architecture, and festivals. Continue to enjoy the beautiful tropical scenery before returning to Jinghong.

In the late afternoon, visit Manting Park, the former royal garden of the Dai Kingdom and one of Xishuangbanna's most iconic landmarks. With a history of over 1,300 years, the park combines tropical gardens, Buddhist architecture, and peaceful lakes. Explore the traditional Dai-style buildings and experience the charm of this "Garden of the Soul."

A Xishuangbanna tour is not complete without a visit to Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden! After breakfast, its time to meet with China's best tropical flavor at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden!

Drive outside the city for about 62km and 1 hour, you will arrive at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, the largest and most beautiful botanical garden in China with the largest collection of flowers and plants. This vast area is consisted of three parts, and today, you will visit the most beautiful West Area. Kick off your visit with a sightseeing battery car to lush patches of flora, with stops at every garden for short trips. You will lose track of time getting up close to the various collections of palms, Orchids, ferns, bonsais, lotus, bamboo... You will also hit a small museum to learn tropical forest species and culture of this region.

Continue driving to Mengla County in the afternoon and enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by tropical scenery.

In the morning, be transferred to Wangtianshu Tropical Park. Located at the northeast of Mengla County, Wangtianshu Scenic Area covering 864.4 hectares is your dreamy wild wonderland to explore in the tropical rainforest. You can not only walk on the thrilling “world highest crown air corridor” hung on the several Sky Trees of more than one hundred meters tall, but also hike in the forest to see the rich ecological wonders with fresh air to release your mind!

Visit the Nanla River at the heart of the park. The river that runs along the lush rainforest often reminds visitors of the Amazon in South America. Apart from the beautiful natural scenery, you will also experience the unique culture and customs of the Dai, Hani, and Blang people by visiting their villages. Later on in the day, you will be taken back to the downtown of Jinghong.

Visit Zongfosi Temple in the late afternoon. Zongfosi Temple isn't your usual Buddhist temple, indeed, it was once an exclusive temple of Dai Kings in history. And it has long been the vital heart of Xishuangbanna Buddhist worship, ranking higher than all other temples in Xishuangbanna. The temple worships more than 25 states of Buddhas, including a remarkable 2.5-meter-high golden statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. More than 80 monks now study here. As you approach those mystical monasteries, you will hear tranquil sounds of their chanting.

After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport for your onward flight. Your tropical adventure ends here. We hope the memories of rainforest landscapes, Dai culture, and warm local hospitality stay with you long after your journey.