Xishuangbanna Travel Guide 2026 - Wild Elephant Valley, Botanical Garden & the Dai

What's inside this guide Bucket List · Highlights · Q&A · Itineraries · Attractions · Activities · Where to Stay · Food · Getting Around · Shopping · Practical Info · Day Trips · Tips · Background · Plan Your Trip

Xishuangbanna Bucket Listthe elephants, the rain forest, the Dai villages and the festival

Track the wild elephants

Wild Elephant Valley - RMB 65, 08:00-18:00, about 1.5 hours from the Jinghong coach station; the elephant show, the monkeys and the canopy walk.

Walk the canopy of Wangtianshu

The Sky-Watching Tree canopy walkway of Mengla - RMB 188 combined (gate RMB 60 + walkway RMB 120 + one-way boat RMB 40), 08:30-18:00.

See the plants of Menglun

The botanical garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences - RMB 104 plus RMB 40 shuttle, 08:00-18:00, an hour from Jinghong by coach.

Splash the Dai New Year

The Water-Splashing Festival in mid-April - the great wet celebration of the Dai and the region; the Dai Garden at Ganlanba has its splash every afternoon.

Dance the bonfire of Man Ting Park

The day ticket is RMB 40; the evening 'Lancang-Mekong Night' show with the bonfire is RMB 190 (VIP RMB 320).

Eat the night market of Jinghong

The Man Ting Xiacun barbecue stalls and the Gold Beach night market - the grilled river fish, the tropical fruit and the Dai salads.

Top Highlightsthe rain forest and the Dai river lands

No.1
Wild Elephant ValleyThe forest of the Asian elephants.
No.2
The Dai villagesThe stilt houses of the river plain.
No.3
The temple towersThe Dai Buddhism of the south.
No.4
The village lanesThe orchards and the gardens.

Questions & Answerswhat travellers always ask about Xishuangbanna

How many days do I need in Xishuangbanna?

The field guide budgets RMB 800-1,500 for 3 days - Wild Elephant Valley, the botanical garden and the Dai Garden on separate days; five days adds Wangtianshu, the Man Ting night and the villages.

When is the best time?

November-April is the dry season - the classic visit; the Water-Splashing Festival is in mid-April. June-September brings the rain, the humidity and the best fruit.

Is it safe to go independently?

Yes - most visitors go with tour groups (the guides often lead into the shops), but the field guide recommends independent travel with a hired car at RMB 100-200 a day for the city loop and RMB 800-1,000 for the two-day Wangtianshu-botanical trip.

How much are the tickets?

Wild Elephant Valley RMB 65, the botanical garden RMB 104 (plus RMB 40 shuttle), Wangtianshu RMB 188 combined, the Dai Garden RMB 100, Man Ting Park RMB 40 by day and RMB 190 for the night show, the tropical flower garden RMB 40, the Jinuo Mountain village RMB 160.

What is the food like?

The Dai kitchen - the grilled fish, the bamboo rice, the sour salads, the tropical fruit and the Pu-erh tea of the region; the night markets of Jinghong are the best tables.

Do I need special preparation?

The tropics are hot and humid with the mosquitoes - carry the repellent, the sunscreen and the rain gear; the altitude is low and the weather is gentle.

Can ToursChinaTravel arrange my Xishuangbanna trip?

Yes - email [email protected] or message us on WhatsApp. Our team books the elephant valley tickets, the canopy walkway, the botanical garden, the Man Ting night show, the hotels and the hired cars, free of charge.

Sample Itinerariesthe valley, the garden and the Dai river lands

Xishuangbanna 2-Day Elephants & Botanical Garden

The wild elephants and the world-class garden - the essential first visit. View the plan →

Day 1

Wild Elephant Valley - the morning coach from Jinghong, the elephant show and the canopy walk, then the night market of the town.

Day 2

The Menglun Botanical Garden - the morning coach (1 hour), the palm and rain-forest collections, the afternoon return and the Man Ting bonfire night.

Xishuangbanna 3-Day Dai Garden & Wangtianshu

The Dai villages, the canopy walkway and the festival colours - the complete south. View the plan →

Day 1

Wild Elephant Valley and the night market of Jinghong.

Day 2

The Dai Garden at Ganlanba - the stilt villages, the afternoon water-splash, then the Man Ting night show.

Day 3

Wangtianshu - the canopy walkway of Mengla and the boat on the Nanla river; or the Menglun botanical garden instead.

All plans are bookable end-to-end by our team — see the full day-by-day Xishuangbanna itineraries hub, or the day-trip pages for single-day options.

Top Attractionstickets, hours, transport & insider tips

Wild Elephant Valley

The forest of the Asian elephants on the Luosuo river - RMB 65, 08:00-18:00, about 1.5 hours from the Jinghong coach station; the elephant show, the monkeys, the gibbons and the parrots.

RMB 65 · 08:00-18:00 · Elephants · Rain Forest

View details →

Menglun Botanical Garden

The garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences at Menglun - RMB 104 plus RMB 40 shuttle, 08:00-18:00, an hour from Jinghong by coach; the palms, the orchids and the rain-forest collections.

RMB 104 · 08:00-18:00 · Botanical · Garden

View details →

Wangtianshu (Sky-Watching Tree)

The canopy walkway of Mengla - RMB 188 combined (gate RMB 60 + walkway RMB 120 + one-way boat RMB 40), 08:30-18:00; the elevated walk through the crowns of the rain forest.

RMB 188 · 08:30-18:00 · Canopy · Rain Forest

View details →

The Dai Garden (Ganlanba)

The Dai village park at Ganlanba - RMB 100, 08:00-18:00, an hour by coach from Jinghong; the stilt houses, the afternoon water-splash and the fruit that gets cheaper towards the far end.

RMB 100 · 08:00-18:00 · Dai Culture · Village

View details →

Man Ting Park

The royal garden of the Dai kings in Jinghong - RMB 40 by day, 08:00-17:00; the evening 'Lancang-Mekong Night' show with the bonfire is RMB 190 (VIP RMB 320); bus 3 from the city.

RMB 40 / 190 · 08:00-22:00 · Garden · Night Show

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The Tropical Flower Garden

The flower garden of Jinghong - RMB 40, 07:30-18:00; bus 2 from the city.

RMB 40 · 07:30-18:00 · Flowers · Garden

View details →

Mengle Great Buddha Temple

The temple on the hill 4 km from the city - RMB 120, 08:00-17:00, a RMB 15 taxi from Jinghong; the golden Buddha and the view over the plain.

RMB 120 · 08:00-17:00 · Temple · Buddha

View details →

Mantan Village

The old Dai village of Mengla where the 1925 settlers came from Laos - free, all day; by hired car or self-drive, the quietest taste of the Dai houses.

Free · All day · Village · Dai Culture

View details →

Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion

The Dai pavilion at Mengzhe, Menghai - RMB 20, the classic Dai architecture of the region.

RMB 20 · 08:00-17:00 · Pavilion · Architecture

View details →

More in the region on the Yunnan attractions page.

Activities & Festivalsthe splash festival, the elephant shows and the bonfire nights

The Water-Splashing Festival

Mid-April - the Dai New Year of Xishuangbanna and Dehong; the processions, the dragon boats and the great wet welcome of the streets.

The elephant show

The elephant performances of Wild Elephant Valley and the Peacock Village - the morning and afternoon shows.

The Man Ting bonfire night

The 'Lancang-Mekong Night' - the Dai dances, the songs and the bonfire circle of the old royal garden.

The Gasa hot springs

The spa day of the tropics - the fish therapy, the Dai herb baths and the Pu-erh tea bath.

Where to Staythe Jinghong hotels and the riverside resorts

Every hotel below is bookable by our team; browse the full Yunnan hotels directory.

The Jinghong centre

The budget and mid-range hotels of the old town - from about RMB 100-300, near the night markets.

Book: Yunnan hotels · or email [email protected]

The Mekong riverside

The river-view hotels of the Lancang bank - the night lights and the breeze, from about RMB 200.

Book: Yunnan hotels · or email [email protected]

The Dai Garden villages

The stilt-house guesthouses of Ganlanba - the family rooms and the village mornings.

Book: Yunnan hotels · or email [email protected]

The Mengla resorts

The garden resorts near Wangtianshu and the botanical garden - the quiet of the rain forest.

Book: Yunnan hotels · or email [email protected]

The five-star of the plain

The international hotels of Jinghong - the pools and the gardens of the tropics.

Book: Yunnan hotels · or email [email protected]

Food & Restaurantsthe Dai kitchen, the grilled fish and the tropical fruit

Grilled river fish

The fish of the Lancang grilled with the herbs and the chilli - the night-market classic.

Bamboo rice

The sticky rice steamed in the bamboo tubes - the Dai staple, sweet and nutty.

Sour salads (suan la)

The salads of the Dai kitchen - the papaya, the banana flower and the herbs in the sour-spicy dressings.

The tropical fruit

The mango, the passion fruit, the pineapple and the jackfruit of the plain - cheaper and sweeter than the north.

The Man Ting night market

The barbecue stalls of the Man Ting Xiacun quarter - the grilled skewers, the rice and the beer of the town.

The Gold Beach night market

The riverside stalls of Jinghong - the snacks, the crafts and the songs of the Dai.

Shopping & SouvenirsPu-erh tea, the Dai crafts and the tropical produce

Pu-erh tea

The great tea of the region - the cakes and the loose leaves of the Menghai and Jinghong shops.

The Dai silver & the brocades

The hand-made silver and the silk brocades of the Dai - the crafts of the villages and the markets.

The tropical fruit

The dried mango, the passion-fruit paste and the pineapple chips of the plain - the take-home of the south.

The rubber and the bamboo crafts

The products of the tropical economy - the rubber goods and the woven bamboo of the villages.

The night markets

The Man Ting Xiacun and the Gold Beach stalls - the crafts, the teas and the snacks of Jinghong.

Full local-product guides live on the Yunnan specialties page.

Getting There & Aroundthe airport, the Jinghong coaches and the hired cars

Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport, about 5 km from Jinghong - the taxis and the airport buses to the town.

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The Jinghong coach station - Wild Elephant Valley about 1.5 hours, the Menglun botanical garden about an hour, the Dai Garden at Ganlanba about an hour, and the long-distance lines from Kunming (overnight) and the region.

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A hired car with the driver at RMB 100-200 for the city loop and RMB 800-1,000 for the two-day Wangtianshu-botanical trip - the flexible way of the rain forest.

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The city taxis are cheap and the buses are RMB 1-2 - bus 2 to the flower garden, bus 3 to Man Ting Park.

https://media.doubao.com/space/api/box/stream/download/all_by_mount_point/Rw10bEPvOoICXRxIdJSc1PpAn5b

The Lancang-Mekong cruises from Jinghong - the river views of the border country.

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Day Trips From Xishuangbannathe valley, the garden and the canopy

Wild Elephant Valley Day Trip

The elephant show and the canopy walk in a day from Jinghong.

Menglun Botanical Garden Day Trip

The plants of the Academy of Sciences an hour from the city.

Dai Garden & Ganlanba Day Trip

The stilt villages, the water-splash and the river fruit.

Travel Tipsthings to remember

The mosquitoes are real

The tropics need the repellent, the long sleeves at dusk and the anti-itch cream - the field guide is firm on this.

Carry the rain gear

June-September brings the showers and the humidity - the umbrella and the quick-dry clothes.

Go independent, not the group

The guides of the group tours often lead into the shops - the field guide recommends the hired car and the independent route.

The fruit gets cheaper deeper in

At the Dai Garden and the markets, the stalls nearest the gate are the dearest - walk in.

Dress for the temples

The Buddha temples ask for the covered shoulders and knees - carry the light shawl.

The festival books out

The Water-Splashing Festival in April fills the flights and the hotels - book months ahead.

Practical Informationbanks, hospitals, emergencies and local help

Jinghong tourism office

The city tourism information of Xishuangbanna.

Phone: Not published

Xishuangbanna airport

The Gasa airport information for the flights of the south.

Phone: Not published

The Jinghong coach station

The coach timetables for the valley, the garden and the region.

Phone: Not published

The city hospital

The Jinghong hospital for the tropical ailments.

Phone: Not published

Menglun botanical garden office

The garden information: the plants of the Academy of Sciences.

Phone: Not published

Background & Historythe Dai land of the southern river

The Dai people

Xishuangbanna is the homeland of the Dai - the Theravada Buddhist people of the river plain, the stilt houses, the water-splash and the peacock dances.

The twelve thousand rice fields

The name Xishuangbanna means the 'twelve thousand rice fields' of the Dai - the twelve tai states of the old confederation.

The Water-Splashing Festival

The Dai New Year in mid-April - the Buddha bathing, the dragon boats and the water that washes the old year away.

The rain forest

The prefecture holds the largest area of tropical rain forest in China - the canopy walkways and the elephant valley protect the last of the Asian elephants.

Plan Your Xishuangbanna Tripattractions, hotels, flights and specialties — all in one place

Everything on ToursChinaTravel is bookable through our team by email or WhatsApp. Here's where each part of your Xishuangbanna trip lives on the site.

Xishuangbanna Travel Guide — the tropical rain forest of the Dai - Wild Elephant Valley, the Menglun Botanical Garden, the Dai villages and the Water-Splashing Festival

Xishuangbanna Bucket Listthe elephants, the rain forest, the Dai villages and the festival

Track the wild elephants

Walk the canopy of Wangtianshu

See the plants of Menglun

Splash the Dai New Year

Dance the bonfire of Man Ting Park

Eat the night market of Jinghong

Top Highlightsthe rain forest and the Dai river lands

Wild Elephant Valley

The Dai villages

The temple towers

The village lanes

Questions & Answerswhat travellers always ask about Xishuangbanna

How many days do I need in Xishuangbanna?

When is the best time?

Is it safe to go independently?

How much are the tickets?

What is the food like?

Do I need special preparation?

Can ToursChinaTravel arrange my Xishuangbanna trip?

Sample Itinerariesthe valley, the garden and the Dai river lands

Top Attractionstickets, hours, transport & insider tips

Activities & Festivalsthe splash festival, the elephant shows and the bonfire nights

The Water-Splashing Festival

The elephant show

The Man Ting bonfire night

The Gasa hot springs

Where to Staythe Jinghong hotels and the riverside resorts

The Jinghong centre

The Mekong riverside

The Dai Garden villages

The Mengla resorts

The five-star of the plain

Food & Restaurantsthe Dai kitchen, the grilled fish and the tropical fruit

Grilled river fish

Bamboo rice

Sour salads (suan la)

The tropical fruit

The Man Ting night market

The Gold Beach night market

Shopping & SouvenirsPu-erh tea, the Dai crafts and the tropical produce

Pu-erh tea

The Dai silver & the brocades

The tropical fruit

The rubber and the bamboo crafts

The night markets

Getting There & Aroundthe airport, the Jinghong coaches and the hired cars

Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport, about 5 km from Jinghong - the taxis and the airport buses to the town.

The Jinghong coach station - Wild Elephant Valley about 1.5 hours, the Menglun botanical garden about an hour, the Dai Garden at Ganlanba about an hour, and the long-distance lines from Kunming (overnight) and the region.

A hired car with the driver at RMB 100-200 for the city loop and RMB 800-1,000 for the two-day Wangtianshu-botanical trip - the flexible way of the rain forest.

The city taxis are cheap and the buses are RMB 1-2 - bus 2 to the flower garden, bus 3 to Man Ting Park.

The Lancang-Mekong cruises from Jinghong - the river views of the border country.

Day Trips From Xishuangbannathe valley, the garden and the canopy

Travel Tipsthings to remember

The mosquitoes are real

Carry the rain gear

Go independent, not the group

The fruit gets cheaper deeper in

Dress for the temples

The festival books out

Practical Informationbanks, hospitals, emergencies and local help

Jinghong tourism office

Xishuangbanna airport

The Jinghong coach station

The city hospital

Menglun botanical garden office

Background & Historythe Dai land of the southern river

The Dai people

The twelve thousand rice fields

The Water-Splashing Festival

The rain forest

Plan Your Xishuangbanna Tripattractions, hotels, flights and specialties — all in one place