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The local name for this prefecture, 750km south west of Kunming,
is "Sip song pan na," which is Thai for "Twelve thousand rice
fields." In fact, there are many connections between this
area of southern China and its Lao and Thai neighbours. More
than 50% of Xishuangbanna's 650,000 population are ethnic
Dai - close cousins to the Thai people to the south - while
only 25% are Han Chinese. Temples in this area have a distinctly
Thai feel and look to them, complete with saffron-robed monks.
The April Songkran water-throwing festival and the Isaan rocket
festivals are also celebrated in Xishuangbanna.
Xishaunbanna is a Jewel of the Mekong - click
here - for a feature on this Jewel
 Menglun
Botanical Garden - Established in 1959 by the famous
botantist Cai Xitao, this 860 hectare garden, on Hulu Island,
96km from Jinghong, is filled with thousands of native and
imported tropical and subtropical plants, including many rare
and unusual specimens.
Jinghong
- surrounded by tropical vegetation, the district capital
of Xishuangbanna is home to the Peacock Lake, Manting Park,
Dai Nationality Cultures and Customs Garden, and the Tropical
Botany Institute. Ethnic tribes inhabit the outlying areas
of the prefecture, and several wildlife reserves have been
established around the prefecture's border, offering the possibility
of organised trekking in the future.
Ganlan
(Olive) Basin - This area of rain forest and tall bamboos
acquired its name from its shape and verdant greenery. 37km
from Jinghong, 64 Dai villages are scattered throughout this
peaceful part of Manghan.
Yexianggu
- Known as Wild Elephants Valley, the 369 hectares of rolling
hills and rain forests, 47km north of Jinghong, are inhabited
by large numbers of wild Asian elephants, wild oxen, green
peacocks, monkeys and many other species. The reserve is furnished
with animal-watching facilities, an elephant training school,
butterfly breeding centre, and an aviary of exotic birds.
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