March 19-26, 2023

Yunnan's tourism resources are relatively rich and attractive. Although I have traveled to Yunnan many times, I have never been to southwest Yunnan, and I have always wanted to go there. So he invited friends to leave at will and drove out from Lijiang. The first stop is Xishuangbanna, the southern tip of Yunnan. The drive from Lijiang to Banna takes about ten hours. Of course, we are not in a hurry. It will be easy to stay overnight in Jingdong halfway.

Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, the capital of Jinghong City. Connecting Laos and Myanmar, it is the southwest border. There are 13 ethnic minorities, mainly Dai. When I first entered Xishuangbanna, I had two impressions. One is the warm climate. Clothes are layered upon departure, and quickly change into a short-sleeved T-shirt when arriving because it is warm and comfortable in the tropical north. The second is its distinctive architectural features. Whether it is tall or low, it is a small steeple with strong Hinayana Buddhist characteristics. It has Dai characteristics and an exotic style from South Asia.

The first stop to arrive at Banna is, of course, to the Wild Elephant Valley. Navigating directly to the Wild Elephant Valley, although it is afternoon, vehicles outside the scenic area are abnormally congested. Probably due to the appeal of wild elephants and the effect of tourism rebound. We had to choose to enter through the north gate. There was not much to watch here. There is only an aerial plank road that goes up step by step and hangs high in the sky. Traveling among tropical plants. It is said to allow tourists to watch the life and traces of wild elephants. But where to find it in the vast rainforest? This still requires patience and luck. The plank road is undulating, long and distant. Even if you can't see wild elephants, it can be used as a fitness activity. The most eye-catching scenery in the Wild Elephant Valley is in the South Gate area. The orchid garden is full of strange flowers and trees. All kinds of butterflies fluttered in the Butterfly Garden. Stop among the flowers and above the greenery, so that you can enjoy watching and take photos as you please. It was very enjoyable!

The most eye-catching area in the Wild Elephant Valley is the Elephant Area, or Elephant School. Elephants outside the venue interacted with tourists feeding and took intimate photos. Or ride an elephant for a ride. The regular elephant performance will start with a full and crowded place. A team of elephants performs various themed performances. Kick football, beauty pageants, parades, etc. Bring tourists to a climax. The elephant's docility, intelligence and cuteness are fully displayed, and it has also become an unforgettable memory for tourists.

Xishuangbanna has the largest botanical garden in China with the richest plant diversity. This Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences retains large areas of virgin forest. Covering an area of 900 hectares. A total of 6000 kinds of the world's rare tropical plants have been cultivated. The vast and mysterious Tropical Botanical Garden is also very popular and crowded. Tour buses shuttle through the 13 thematic parks inside and out. Of course, most tourists are not very familiar with tropical plants, but are just open-minded and curious. In addition to the banyan tree garden, coconut tree garden, and medicinal plant garden. No one explained, everyone was just watching the show. But those were strange flowers, strange trees and trees, and also eye-opening. The garden is large, with many trees and beautiful flowers, so it is also a good place to take photos for leisure. The crowd under the flowers and trees was warm, and the teachers and students of the Painting Academy in the deep and secluded place were sketching scenes, which was quite interesting.

Dai Wang Palace, also known as Mantingyu Garden Scenic Area, is also worth a visit. The Imperial Garden Scenic Area is in the city. The road in front of the gate was bustling with people coming and going. Enter the scenic area and walk through the wide Water-Splashing Festival square with a statue of Premier Zhou Enlai on it. What comes into view is the roofs with stacked herringbone slopes and the tall building with golden towers pointing to the sky. The strong architectural characteristics seem to have entered Thailand. Tall and magnificent. When I took a look in the past, it turned out to be a theater layout. Behind the building is a long area of water and green shade of ring roads. The long bridge spans the water and the corridors are rich. The high-pavilion brocade house lives by the water and among the hidden green. Ducks and painted boats swim on the clear water and are reflected in the sun. The winding roads and high corridors, with strange trees and gorgeous flowers, are really beautiful and the scenery is tempting. There are also white towers, statues, palaces, and imperial concubines. Although it was just a quick glance, it left behind a beautiful painting full of exotic scenery.

In Xishuangbanna, what makes me most unforgettable and nostalgic is his strong exotic style and charming Nanyang style. The architectural style entering the Urban area is a steeple with Southeast Asian characteristics. Even the names and signboards of many stores are full of foreign flavors. Especially at night, especially in Gaozhuang West Shuangjing, under the Shwedagon Pagoda, on the Lancang River, and on the Liuguo Market. There are roadside stalls, layers of night market shops, and coffee bars everywhere. Painting boats flowed one by one. Crafts, clothing, fruits, specialties, and barbecues are endless one after another, and there is no end. People were bustling and crowded. Especially the beautiful women wearing long dresses, exposing their shoulders, curling up and down, showing all the emotions. The hem of the skirt is lifted and the fragrance is strong. I twist my waist and look back at the drunken spring breeze. This atmosphere and this scene are clearly in a Southeast Asian country. The song, the light and shadow seemed to be in a dream. Stayed for two days and stayed for two nights. Enjoy taking photos and intoxicating the scenery. The exotic tune is extremely tempting, and you don't know how to go back when you are intoxicated.


It's the sharp roof and the tower facing the sky
Charming and gorgeous, all show their shoulders
The coconut shadow is warm, the wind is soft, the song is soft
Light and shadow shine into the South Ocean

Xishuangbanna is worth visiting again!