A Super Comprehensive Travel Guide to Xishuangbanna, Compiled After a Trip

🔵9 Recommended Spots for April Travel in Xishuangbanna 🔵Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences 💸Tickets: Approx. CNY 100/person (prices may vary seasonally, check the official website). 🔥Tips: Flowers such as Victoria amazonica and Bougainvillea are in full bloom in April. Stroll through the rainforest, take the electric car to the East Zone Green Stone Forest, and experience the tropical rainforest ecosystem. 🕰️Suggested visiting time: Full day is recommended. Arrive before 9am to avoid crowds. 🔵Wild Elephant Valley 💸Tickets: Approx. CNY 200/person. 🔥Tips: April is not the best season for elephant viewing, but you can watch elephant shows, visit the butterfly garden and the snake and lizard garden, and look for wild elephants along the elephant viewing trail. 🕰️Suggested visiting time: 9am to 3pm, avoiding the midday heat. 🔵Manting Royal Garden (Manting Park) 💸Tickets: Approx. CNY 50/person. 🔥Tips: Flowers are in full bloom in April. Visit the ruins of the Dai King's Palace and the White Elephant Lake. Participate in the bonfire party in the evening to experience Dai singing and dancing. 🕰️Suggested visiting time: After 4pm to enjoy both day and night views. 🔵Xishuangbanna Dai Garden 💸Tickets: Approx. CNY 120/person. 🔥Tips: Participate in the Water Splashing Festival activities in April, visit temples, watch handicraft making, and experience traditional Dai life. 🕰️Suggested visiting time: 10am to 4pm, allowing ample time for activities. 🔵Primitive Forest Park 💸Tickets: Approx. CNY 250/person. 🔥Tips: Watch the peacock release show at 11:00/15:00. Wear non-slip shoes for hiking on the rainforest trails. 🕰️Suggested visiting time: 9am to 2pm, avoiding the humid periods in the rainforest. 🔵Mengle Great Buddha Temple 💸Tickets: Approx. CNY 100/person. 🔥Tips: Participate in the water splashing activities at 2:30pm. Overlook the Jinghong city view from the mountain top. 🕰️Suggested visiting time: 2pm to 4pm, ideal lighting for photos. 🔵Gaozhuang Xishuangjing 💸Tickets: Free. 🔥Tips: A must-visit at night is the Starlight Night Market. Buy Dai costumes and enjoy Lao iced coffee with pounded chicken feet. 🕰️Suggested visiting time: After 6pm to experience the lively atmosphere of the night market. 🔵Jinghong Golden Pagoda 💸Tickets: Free. 🔥Tips: Adjacent to Gaozhuang Xishuangjing, it offers different scenery during the day and night, perfect for photos. 🕰️Suggested visiting time: 5pm to 7pm, best lighting during sunset. 🔵Jinuo Mountain Village 💸Tickets: Approx. CNY 150/person. 🔥Tips: Experience Jinuo culture, watch traditional song and dance performances, and taste local cuisine. 🕰️Suggested visiting time: 9am to 12pm, avoiding the afternoon heat. 🍧5 Recommended Specialty Food Shops in Xishuangbanna 🍧Lao Puer Bean Soup (Mingzhu Community Branch) A local breakfast shop, cost-effective, CNY 9 for a filling meal. 🍧Yang Yang Snacks The fish in banana leaf is fresh and fragrant, with delicious sauce, popular among tourists. 🍧Yunweifang Free-range Chicken Rice Noodles Open kitchen, generous portions of chicken in the free-range chicken rice noodles, delicious soup base. 🍧Suandudu · Handmade Fresh Dumplings Delicious and affordable, CNY 4 for a large bowl, perfect for a quick meal. 🍧Shiping No. 4 Old Brand First Roasted Tofu Night market food stall, Shiping tofu is a must-try barbecue delicacy. 🗺️3-Day Itinerary Day 1: Nature and Culture Exploration Morning: Arrive in Jinghong, check in to your hotel in Gaozhuang Xishuangjing, and take a break. Noon: Enjoy Dai cuisine in Gaozhuang (e.g., lemongrass grilled fish, pineapple purple rice). Afternoon: Visit Manting Royal Garden, explore the ruins of the Dai King's Palace and White Elephant Lake. Evening: Stroll through the Starlight Night Market, try on Dai costumes for photos, and enjoy Lao iced coffee. Day 2: Rainforest and Animal Encounters Morning: Visit Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and explore the West Zone. Noon: Have lunch in the scenic area, tasting local specialties. Afternoon: Explore the East Zone Green Stone Forest and experience the tropical rainforest ecosystem. Evening: Return to Jinghong city and enjoy Dai barbecue. Day 3: Dai Culture and Water Splashing Fun Morning: Visit Xishuangbanna Dai Garden, explore temples and traditional buildings, and watch song and dance performances. Noon: Have lunch in the Dai Garden, savoring Dai cuisine. Afternoon: Participate in the Water Splashing Festival activities and experience traditional Dai culture. Evening: Return to Jinghong city, pack your luggage, and prepare for your departure. 📌Important Notes The temperature in Xishuangbanna is high in April. Bring light and breathable clothing, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent. Air ticket prices are high during the Water Splashing Festival. Book flights and hotels in advance. Respect local religious beliefs and customs. Take off your shoes when entering Buddhist temples and do not touch the heads of young monks. Attractions are scattered. It is recommended to hire a car or take the scenic spot shuttle bus.