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Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Xishuangbanna [2025]
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Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
4.7
/5
14681 reviews
8.8
From AU$ 17.14
Based on 89 reviews
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden.Chinese Academy of Scienc | 50.4 km from downtown
Phone +8606918715914
Address: 西双版纳傣族自治州勐腊县中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园-西门
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Electric vehicles connect the east and west areas
Firefly tours & night views
Saved by 410 users11395 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I booked this tour on Ctrip the day before the trip and it was excellent. The guide's explanations were excellent. The park is large, making the electric carts convenient for traveling with children and elderly. We saw many insects and stars during the night tour. For example, they explained which stick insects we could handle and which we couldn't. The explanations were humorous and lively, and the kids loved it. Kudos to the guides Xiaodao and Wangtianshu.
The scenery is very good. I asked for an explanation, otherwise I would not understand it at all. I learned a lot of knowledge about plants. The dancing grass is very interesting. The giant water lily has a weight limit. It is a pity that the child did not get to sit on the giant water lily.
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Manting Park
4.5
/5
13513 reviews
8.7
From AU$ 8.57
Based on 72 reviews
Manting Park/Ethnic Cultural Park | 2.1 km from downtown
Phone +8606912161061
Address: No. 35, Manting Road, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Featured in 2024 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Enjoy ethnic song and dance performances in the evening
See beautiful peacocks up close
Saved by 305 users9936 positive reviews
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It was my second time to go to Banna, a family trip. The children were not really interested. We arrived too late and didn’t see the elephant show. Many of the photos were taken during the trip. It was nice to take a walk around and see the scenery of the Dai King’s Royal Garden.
The Manting Imperial Garden has beautiful scenery and many rare plants, making it well worth a visit. The elephant show was average, so just a quick glance is enough. It's connected to the Zongfo Temple, so it's worth visiting together.
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Wild Elephant Valley
4.3
/5
9018 reviews
8.5
From AU$ 12.43
Based on 73 reviews
18.9 km from downtown
Phone +8606912431024
Address: Sancha River, Mengyang Town, Jinghong City, 36 km from Jinghong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Observe traces of wild elephants on the 4,000m trail
920m elevated walkway overlooks rainforest
Saved by 248 users5962 positive reviews
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Wild Elephant Valley is a bit far from downtown Xishuangbanna. We drove there, and while the parking lot wasn't very busy, finding a spot wasn't difficult. There's also a shuttle bus from the downtown visitor center, and round-trip tickets are quite affordable. While you can't see wild elephants in the Wild Elephant Valley, there are performances by trained elephants. These elephants have experienced the world and aren't afraid of people. The performances consist of just a few simple moves.
The main attractions in Xishuangbanna are definitely worth visiting, but if you go more than once, it won't be that interesting. Seeing wild elephants is practically impossible, with so many people walking around, the elephants will smell people from a distance and won't come over. But it's nice for city dwellers to take a walk and experience the natural world.
No.
4
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Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park
4.3
/5
5746 reviews
8.3
From AU$ 9.22
Based on 26 reviews
9 km from downtown
Phone +8606912759888
Address: Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture is 8 km from the suburb of Jinghong City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Featured in 2024 Global 100 - Family-Friendly Attractions
Highlights:
Cultural dance & Water-Splashing Festival
Peacock flight & Dai culture
Saved by 215 users3674 positive reviews
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You have to buy a ticket that includes a shuttle bus. It's a long way to walk by yourself. There is no explanation on the ticket purchase page. You can only watch the peacocks flying at the foot of the mountain, and the rest are all on the mountain. After entering the door, sit in this restaurant by the river and you can watch the peacocks flying.
The scenery of the primeval forest is nice, there are primeval forests everywhere, and there are many physical examination projects. I watched the peacocks flying, experienced the Dai delivery, water splashing carnival, bamboo pole dance, etc. It felt good!
No.
5
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Xishuangbanna Dai Garden
4.4
/5
4239 reviews
8.2
From AU$ 4.12
Based on 81 reviews
Daizu Park Scenic Area | 23 km from downtown
Phone +8606912504601
Address: Xihan Garden, Jinghan City, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna (near Mangan Town)
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.1 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Xishuangbanna
Highlights:
Experience Dai's warm welcome ceremony
Explore villages & pagoda stilt houses
Saved by 170 users2768 positive reviews
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Entering Xishuangbanna Yi Nationality Garden, the most unmissable experience is the green leaf banquet in the Yijia Bamboo Building! Here you can not only see the original Yi architecture, but also taste the most authentic Yi cuisine. The bamboo buildings are scattered in the park, and each family has a unique style. Living in them seems to be integrated into the daily life of the Yi people. [Landscape along the way] From Gaozhuang, the first half of the drive along the Lancang River, the river is green and the trees are shaded; The second half will pass through several village villages, each village is full of unique ethnic atmosphere. When you approach Manyuan Village, you will see a large area of banana forests, different seasons and pineapple fields, all the way is scenery. 👍 [Village characteristics] Manyuan Village's houses are wooden hanging buildings, the first floor is suspended, the second floor is lived, each household is full of flowers and succulents. The walkway trees at the door are papaya, Shijia fruit, explosive fruit, apple dates and other fruit trees. The villagers are very simple, and the fruits sold in the stalls are all grown by themselves. Although it is slightly more expensive than the farmers market, it is much cheaper than tourist areas such as Gaozhuang. ⭐️ [Zhaixin] Every village has a Zhaixin, and the building and planning of the village are built around Zhaixin. 🏯 [Temple] Every village has a temple. The temples in Manyuan Village should be more stylish. The architectural style of Xiaocheng Buddhism is very beautiful. In order to avoid taboos, I only took the appearance of the temple and didn't go in to worship.
The park is large, but not many fun places to visit. Avoid the Lotus Pond train; it's too expensive and not worth it. Several attractions offer water splashing activities, but this one is the most crowded. Find a seat in advance, or else you'll have to pay 88 yuan per person to go up to the second floor. The shower and storage fees aren't worth it. The crowded and narrow aisles leading to and from the water splashing square are unbearable.
No.
6
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Jinuo Mountain Rainforest Hiking
4.8
/5
629 reviews
8.2
From AU$ 19.28
18.3 km from downtown
Phone +8618088079194
Address: 西双版纳傣族自治州景洪市基诺族乡司土村委会司土老寨4号
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No.2 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Xishuangbanna
Highlights:
Rubber trees & bamboo vipers
See plants, streams, & waterfalls
585 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
Our guide, Mu Layou, was fantastic! He took us on a whirlwind of fun, including eating wild fruits and sour ants. He was incredibly strong, lifting us high and pushing us back down on the swings each time. It was incredibly thrilling. Afterward, he immediately arranged for us to eat. The barbecue, chicken, and fish were all delicious. It was a truly special experience!
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and discover nature on a hike in the Jinuo Mountain rainforest.
The total distance is 5 kilometers, 2 kilometers by land and 3 kilometers by water.
Along the way, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the rainforest's flora, fauna, environment, and ways of life.
Dressed in a "savage costume," we experienced rainforest river tracing, high-altitude swings, tree abseiling, archery, and a rainforest feast, including sour ants and wild Sanya fruit (Banna's version of mangosteen).
For families with young children (under 10 years old), we recommend booking a private tour with an experienced indigenous guide, who can provide one-on-one support for the children.
Summary: Recommended family itineraries
No.
7
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Xishuangbanna Mengle Cultural Tourism Area
4.3
/5
1717 reviews
7.7
From AU$ 18.75
Based on 10 reviews
Mannongfeng International Tourist Resort | 5.3 km from downtown
Phone +8606918998555
Address: Mangfeng Maple, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Panoramic view of Jinghong City
Mountaintop deck offers Jinghong views
Saved by 133 users1060 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The tickets are quite expensive. There are a few performances inside which are OK. The number of people in the water splashing activity is not as much as that in the Dai Garden, but through the interaction of the host, I think it is more interesting. If you don't take the sightseeing bus, you need to climb 1,600 to 1,700 steps back and forth. People with good physical strength can consider it.
The Great Buddha Temple is located in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, and is an AAAA-level scenic spot. Originally built in the Ming Dynasty, the ancient royal temple Jingpiao Buddha Temple was destroyed in the war in 1848 and rebuilt in 2005. The temple was built on the mountain, in the shape of a Buddha, and the gap is122.8 meters. It integrates South Buddhism and Yi culture. The core building Jingpiao Temple is magnificent, 49 meters high, symbolizing the Buddha's rule for 45 years. Open all year round, 120 yuan for tickets, it is a holy place and tourist attraction in southern Buddhism.
No.
8
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Parashorea Chinensis Park
4.8
/5
2863 reviews
7.5
From AU$ 11.79
93.6 km from downtown
Phone +8606918175906
Address: Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Mengla County
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.3 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Xishuangbanna
Highlights:
Sky-piercing tree, 250 feet
Explore diverse wildlife & flora
Saved by 128 users1911 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It is a park worth visiting. The tour route is: Peacock Release (wonderful) - Aini Village (Hani folk display, wishing bridge, folding wall and tile peeling, bamboo pole dance, folk dance) - Dahaipo - Monkey Park (close observation and feeding) - original tropical rainforest plank road. It is recommended to walk 8 kilometers round trip, which takes 3 hours. Children as young as 10 years old also find it playable and informative. The ticket price for two adults and one child is a little over 100 yuan, which is cost-effective. If you are not physically strong, you can buy transportation to the scenic area, which is about 40 yuan one way (average cost-effectiveness).
I didn't expect the canopy walk to be a separate fee, which was a bit pricey. However, it was still nice. 120 yuan was too much, 60 yuan per person would have been more appropriate. The photos I took weren't particularly special, but the aerial photography was okay, but it cost 90 yuan.
No.
9
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Xishuangbanna Folk Custom Garden
4.0
/5
64 reviews
7.1
Based on 5 reviews
Manting Park/Ethnic Cultural Park | 1.6 km from downtown
Address: 41 Minhang Rd, Jinghong Shi, Xishuangbanna Daizuzizhizhou, Yunnan Sheng, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.4 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Xishuangbanna
Highlights:
Water-Splashing Festival & lanterns
See 160-ft bronze Buddha statue
42% positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
Walking into the Xishuangbanna National Customs Park is like opening a vivid encyclopedia of ethnic culture. The park is lush with trees and dotted with villages of various ethnic groups. The bamboo houses of the Dai people are light and elegant, the mushroom houses of the Hani people are simple and natural, and the stilt houses of the Bulang people are unique. There is the Xishuangbanna Liberation Monument, a wildlife park, and large tracts of litchi orchards. Here, every scene vividly shows the unique charm of the multi-ethnic integration of Xishuangbanna.
Jinghong is the capital of Xishuangbanna. Xishuangbanna has a typical tropical style, and it also combines different Dai customs. It is a wonderful collision of this place. It is really unbearable to be too hot in summer, but it is very suitable for traveling and playing in autumn and winter.
No.
10
Starlight Night Market
4.5
/5
492 reviews
7.1
Gaozhuang/Starlight Night Market | 2.4 km from downtown
Phone +8606912221600
Address: (near the Shwedagon Pagoda), Gaozhuang Xishuangshi Scenic Area, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Featured in 2024 Global 100 - Night Attractions
Highlights:
10+ performance spots nightly
Local food & crafts in night market
Saved by 539 users307 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Xingguang Night Market is one of the emerging night markets in Xishuangbanna and one of the attractions in Gaozhuang West. It is a comprehensive market formed by the three night markets of "Xingguang Night Market, Shwedagon Pagoda Night Market, and Six Countries Floating Market". It covers an area of about 1,200 acres and has an investment of about 4 billion yuan. It has all kinds of Internet-famous snacks from all over the country and special snacks from Southeast Asian countries; clothing, handicrafts, bars and other categories are all available; there are also stage performances, tours, water lantern festivals and other unique activities.
As the lanterns of the night market light up, the silver jewelry of the Dai girls jingles. Steamed rice noodles are cooked by the fire, minced meat and peanuts are piled up like a mountain, and the hot soup makes people want to eat even if it burns their mouths! There is a long line in front of the spicy chicken feet stall. The boss lady cuts the chili peppers and pours iced lemon juice on them, making people breathe heavily. At the Vietnamese coffee stall on the corner, condensed milk mixed with ice slag is sipped, bitter and sweet, refreshing - just after swallowing it, the bamboo tube rice next door smells good again. Finally, I sit on the steps with my belly in my hands, watching the peacock skirt lights swaying above my head, and my burps smell like lemongrass.
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