Xishuangbanna

Why Xishuangbanna is special
Xishuangbanna is a subtropical land of natural beauty and vibrant ethnic customs. It lies along the Myanmar (Burma) and Laos borders.

Xishuangbanna tips and insights
How to pronounce
Xishuangbanna: shee-shwahn'g-bahn-nah

Dai villages
Top on most tourist lists is visiting the Dai villages (see photo) and attending their cultural events (which include ethnic dancing and singing). You will experience authentically traditional Dai villages, not the type fashioned for tourists.

When to come
The dry season runs from mid Fall to early spring. The heaviest downpours occur during the summer months. In summer, do your sightseeing in the morning or late afternoon. It can become hot and humid during the middle of the day.

Other popular attractions
They include the subtropical botanical gardens, the unspoiled rain forests (where wild elephants, leopards and Bengalese tigers roam), the White Pagoda of Manfeilong, and the Octagonal Pavilion of Jingzhen.

Dai Water Splashing Festival
This internationally renowned festival takes place in mid April for three days. It has lively activities, including:

• Dragon boat racing.
  
• People splashing water liberally over each other to bring them good luck.
  
• Young unmarried women tossing a special pouch to the object of their affections (works sort of like a valentine card).

Citizens
Xishuangbanna is inhabited by over a dozen ethnic groups, including the Dai, Bulang, and Hani.

Name
Xishuangbanna means "12,000 rice paddies". "Banna" is Xishuangbanna's unofficial nickname.

Nearest major city
Jinghong, the central and main city of Xishuangbanna, is about 550 kilometers (330 miles) south of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. The trip takes twenty hours by bus, one hour by plane.