Getting Tropical at Xishuangbanna: China's Rain Forest

For the next location in our route that highlights places in China that will blow you out of the water, we bring you to the tropical forests of Xishuangbanna, one of the hottest places in China, second only to Hainan Island. But don’t let that deter you; one of China’s most interesting and remote areas is in its southern portion next to the borders of Laos and Vietnam. Many people don’t imagine China to have such a tropical paradise. We usually imagine dusty Xian Terracotta Warriors, Harbin’s Ice Festival, or the huge modern architecture of Shanghai. But in China’s much raved about Yunnan Province, there is something special that will give you a very different picture of China. Xishuangbanna, though hard to pronounce, is home to China’s largest tropical forest. This area in Yunnan is an autonomous prefecture, meaning that the area’s ethnic minority population has typically accounted for over 50% of the local residents. The name Xishuangbanna means “twelve thousand pieces of land” in Dai. The first part, "xishuang" means "twelve" and "banna" means "one thousand pieces of land. "

The area is famous for several aspects but mainly for the Xishuangbanna Dai minority people who historically are related to their southern neighbors, the Thai. Secondly, this area is known for a once a year all out bash -- the praised water festival. The Xishuangbanna Dai minority people are celebrated for their traditions and festivals and are Buddhist in their belief systems. Their culture gives the area a distinct flavor and charm very different from other places in China.

Photo: China Daily

Song Kran Water Festival takes place from the 13 to the 15 of April and brings with it rambunctious fun with thousands of people. Remember how your mother didn’t want you to have water fights? Well, forget all that, now you can plan your trip with the aim of completely drenching complete strangers for fun. The only people tourists are dissuaded from soaking are the elderly and police (that should be a no-brainer people!). Every year, thousands of local Dai people and eager tourists splash as much water on each other as humanly possible in commemoration of this thousand year old tradition that signifies wishing health and happiness to each other. The main spectacle of the parade is a float with both boys and girls who pass by splashing anyone in their path. In turn, the public retaliates and they are soaked. In addition, they hold Dragon Boat and lantern festivals as well.

The Xishuangbanna area is a complex flora and fauna paradise. There are various nature reserves that warrant a visit, like Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden with its incredible 10,000 species of tropical plants and spectacular array of wildlife unique to the area. It is literally a paradise with enormous lily pads and marshy palm trees unlike any other place you have ever seen. It is bordered by the Lusuo River on three sides.

Photo: yfao.gov

After exploring the glorious botanical gardens with some of Xishuangbanna China’s rarest green treasures, consider checking out the Xishuangbanna Wild Elephant & Nature Reserve, which will give you a chance to see China’s last Asian elephants, one of the world’s endangered species, in their natural habitat. But this isn’t like a zoo; the elephants roam freely in the thick, dense foliage. There are several particular places of interest including an observation center

Posted in: Top Stories