Xishuangbanna
Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, lies on the southwest part of Yunnan Province, is one of the minority autonomous prefectures of the province and permanently raises some multiracial residents, such as Dai, Hani, Lahu and Blang, Jino, etc. The minority nationalities account for 74 per sent of the total population in this area. Jinghong is the political, cultural and financial center of Xishuangbanna. As one of the key tourism cities in China, Xishuangbanna is famous for its magnificent tropical rainforest scenery and traditional minority customs. Besides, its special geographical position – borders Laos and Burma, adjacent Thailand and Vietnam, made it the important access to Southeast and South Asia and the gateway of Yunnan Province opening to the outside world. The rich rainforest covers an area of over 466.67 square kilometers. There are over 20,000 types of plants growing in this region, among them, 5,000 species are tropical plants, edible plants about 10,000 species and some of them are utilitarian materials. Xishuangbanna is the second biggest producing place of rubber. Population: 1,000,000. Jinghong Facts In Dai language, Jinghong means “the City of Dawn”. It locates on the middle of this prefecture, is the capital city and the cultural & financial center of Xishuangbanna. more at: www.topchinatravel.com
Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, lies on the southwest part of Yunnan Province, is one of the minority autonomous prefectures of the province and permanently raises some multiracial residents, such as Dai, Hani, Lahu and Blang, Jino, etc. The minority nationalities account for 74 per sent of the total population in this area. Jinghong is the political, cultural and financial center of Xishuangbanna. As one of the key tourism cities in China, Xishuangbanna is famous for its magnificent tropical rainforest scenery and traditional minority customs. Besides, its special geographical position – borders Laos and Burma, adjacent Thailand and Vietnam, made it the important access to Southeast and South Asia and the gateway of Yunnan Province opening to the outside world. The rich rainforest covers an area of over 466.67 square kilometers. There are over 20,000 types of plants growing in this region, among them, 5,000 species are tropical plants, edible plants about 10,000 species and some of them are utilitarian materials. Xishuangbanna is the second biggest producing place of rubber. Population: 1,000,000. Jinghong Facts In Dai language, Jinghong means “the City of Dawn”. It locates on the middle of this prefecture, is the capital city and the cultural & financial center of Xishuangbanna. more at: www.topchinatravel.com
Dai Minority
The Dai, also sometimes spelled Tai, are among 55 officially-listed Chinese ethnic minorities in China, a country dominated by the Han. They live primarily in the southwestern part of the country, and have their own distinct customs and language. Dai cultural differences include an alphabetic writing system separate from the character-based Chinese script. This method of writing has five branches, which are used throughout the Chinese Dai communities. The Dai also have a strong focus on dance, including their famous Peacock Dance, and are Buddhists. The ancestors of the current Dai minority in China first appeared as a political group during the Qin and Han dynasties, between about 221 BC and 220 AD.
Cuisine. Dai prefer rice as their staple grain. They eat many meats, including fish, chicken and duck, pork and beef, but they avoid mutton. Dai cuisine favors spicy and sour flavors, such as pickled meats, fish, peas and bamboo shoots. The Dai are also famous for their roasted chicken, cooked over low heat until it is moist and flavorful.The Dai primarily live in regions with a humid, warm climate that favors large insects, which are also a favorite snack.
Clothing. The historical Dai costume is made up of a short, narrow-sleeved dress worn with a sarong. Modern clothing comes in a wider range of styles, but there are some commonalities. Most women's underclothes are a light color such as blue, spring green, pink or white. Many women wear a short-waisted shirt that exposes a portion of the lower back over these garments. This shirt usually has a jewel-style collar. These are worn with a calf to floor-length narrow skirt and a bun hairstyle secured with a comb. Male Dai clothing includes some similarities to female dresses, such as the tight-sleeved, collarless jackets they prefer. These are worn with long, loose trousers. Headgear includes white, black and blue turbans. In cold weather, a blanket may be wrapped around the shoulders. more at: www.chinahighlights.com
The Dai, also sometimes spelled Tai, are among 55 officially-listed Chinese ethnic minorities in China, a country dominated by the Han. They live primarily in the southwestern part of the country, and have their own distinct customs and language. Dai cultural differences include an alphabetic writing system separate from the character-based Chinese script. This method of writing has five branches, which are used throughout the Chinese Dai communities. The Dai also have a strong focus on dance, including their famous Peacock Dance, and are Buddhists. The ancestors of the current Dai minority in China first appeared as a political group during the Qin and Han dynasties, between about 221 BC and 220 AD.
Cuisine. Dai prefer rice as their staple grain. They eat many meats, including fish, chicken and duck, pork and beef, but they avoid mutton. Dai cuisine favors spicy and sour flavors, such as pickled meats, fish, peas and bamboo shoots. The Dai are also famous for their roasted chicken, cooked over low heat until it is moist and flavorful.The Dai primarily live in regions with a humid, warm climate that favors large insects, which are also a favorite snack.
Clothing. The historical Dai costume is made up of a short, narrow-sleeved dress worn with a sarong. Modern clothing comes in a wider range of styles, but there are some commonalities. Most women's underclothes are a light color such as blue, spring green, pink or white. Many women wear a short-waisted shirt that exposes a portion of the lower back over these garments. This shirt usually has a jewel-style collar. These are worn with a calf to floor-length narrow skirt and a bun hairstyle secured with a comb. Male Dai clothing includes some similarities to female dresses, such as the tight-sleeved, collarless jackets they prefer. These are worn with long, loose trousers. Headgear includes white, black and blue turbans. In cold weather, a blanket may be wrapped around the shoulders. more at: www.chinahighlights.com
Water-Splashing Festival
The annual Water Splashing Festival of the Dai ethnic minority falls during the New Year celebrations of the Dai Calendar. It is the most important festival observed by the Dai ethnic people of Xishuangbanna Prefecture, and, similar to neighboring Thailand's Songkran Festival, it involves three days of celebrations that include sincere, yet light-hearted religious rituals that invariably end in merrymaking, where everyone ends up getting splashed, sprayed or doused with water. The festival lasts for three days. The first two days's activities are concentrated on the banks of the Lancang River. On the first day, a grand celebration marks the beginning of the festival. An out-door market is set up, where locals go for new year shopping. The Water Splashing ceremony, however, is more than just good-natured fun; it also contains a religious element: water is regarded by the Dai as a symbol, firstly, of religious purification, but also of goodwill among people. Therefore, splashing a fellow human being with water during the Water Splashing Festival, whether a close neighbor or a fellow villager, or even a stranger, is an expression of the desire for good luck and prosperity to that person. more at: www.chinahighlights.com
The annual Water Splashing Festival of the Dai ethnic minority falls during the New Year celebrations of the Dai Calendar. It is the most important festival observed by the Dai ethnic people of Xishuangbanna Prefecture, and, similar to neighboring Thailand's Songkran Festival, it involves three days of celebrations that include sincere, yet light-hearted religious rituals that invariably end in merrymaking, where everyone ends up getting splashed, sprayed or doused with water. The festival lasts for three days. The first two days's activities are concentrated on the banks of the Lancang River. On the first day, a grand celebration marks the beginning of the festival. An out-door market is set up, where locals go for new year shopping. The Water Splashing ceremony, however, is more than just good-natured fun; it also contains a religious element: water is regarded by the Dai as a symbol, firstly, of religious purification, but also of goodwill among people. Therefore, splashing a fellow human being with water during the Water Splashing Festival, whether a close neighbor or a fellow villager, or even a stranger, is an expression of the desire for good luck and prosperity to that person. more at: www.chinahighlights.com
Manting Park
This is a modern park that measures about 30 acres in Jinghong in Xishuangbanna. It has a large new Buddhist temple called Zongfo Si. There is a display of ethnic architecture, and people entertain themselves by water fights during the Dai Water Splashing Festival each year. Entertainment is presented in the evening. The Manting Park is said to have a history of 1,300 years. Along with the gardens, the main attraction is the Thai-style temple. The Buddhism of the Dai people is similar to the Buddhism of the Thai people. It is Theravada-style Buddhism. It is said that some of the monks of the temple studied in Thailand. You may see monks around the temple. The temple building and the statues within were made recently. more at: www.chinahighlights.com
This is a modern park that measures about 30 acres in Jinghong in Xishuangbanna. It has a large new Buddhist temple called Zongfo Si. There is a display of ethnic architecture, and people entertain themselves by water fights during the Dai Water Splashing Festival each year. Entertainment is presented in the evening. The Manting Park is said to have a history of 1,300 years. Along with the gardens, the main attraction is the Thai-style temple. The Buddhism of the Dai people is similar to the Buddhism of the Thai people. It is Theravada-style Buddhism. It is said that some of the monks of the temple studied in Thailand. You may see monks around the temple. The temple building and the statues within were made recently. more at: www.chinahighlights.com
Tropical Botanical Garden
This interesting place is a plant research station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was founded in 1959, and it currently has about 300 staff including dozens of PhDs. The land area is about 900 hectares or 2,222 acres. This place has a long history. The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden lowlands is an ideal area of China for a tropical plant research place because there are tropical plants. It is on the border, and the Xishuangbanna lowlands are at a comparatively low altitude than the rest of Yunnan Province. It is in the transitional zone between tropical Southeast Asia and subtropical East Asia, and the place lies at the intersection of the South Asian continental plate of Gondwana and the Eurasian plate of Laurasia. So the biodiversity is unusually broad. A professor named Cai Xitao led a team to develop a plant research base. The research base was officially approved in 1959 as part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. more at: www.chinahighlights.com
This interesting place is a plant research station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was founded in 1959, and it currently has about 300 staff including dozens of PhDs. The land area is about 900 hectares or 2,222 acres. This place has a long history. The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden lowlands is an ideal area of China for a tropical plant research place because there are tropical plants. It is on the border, and the Xishuangbanna lowlands are at a comparatively low altitude than the rest of Yunnan Province. It is in the transitional zone between tropical Southeast Asia and subtropical East Asia, and the place lies at the intersection of the South Asian continental plate of Gondwana and the Eurasian plate of Laurasia. So the biodiversity is unusually broad. A professor named Cai Xitao led a team to develop a plant research base. The research base was officially approved in 1959 as part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. more at: www.chinahighlights.com
Ganlanba Dai Minority Park
It is a dwelling place for Dai minority people cause they have lived there generations to generations. Thus, the dense Dai minority culture can be found here. Ganlanba can be a representative to experience both the minority culture and the tropical atmosphere. Because Ganlanba with the lowest altitude which is about 530m in Yunnan, it is the hottest place. The hot climate makes Ganlanba as a rich fruits production area. Ganlanba in Xishuangbanna culture means “the imperial gardening village”. Inside it, there are two large villages called Man Chun Man (means flowers village) and Man Ting (means fruits village) separately. No matter which village you choose to visit, you can appreciate the typical Myanmar temple pagoda and Dai bamboo house. more at: www.topchinatravel.com
It is a dwelling place for Dai minority people cause they have lived there generations to generations. Thus, the dense Dai minority culture can be found here. Ganlanba can be a representative to experience both the minority culture and the tropical atmosphere. Because Ganlanba with the lowest altitude which is about 530m in Yunnan, it is the hottest place. The hot climate makes Ganlanba as a rich fruits production area. Ganlanba in Xishuangbanna culture means “the imperial gardening village”. Inside it, there are two large villages called Man Chun Man (means flowers village) and Man Ting (means fruits village) separately. No matter which village you choose to visit, you can appreciate the typical Myanmar temple pagoda and Dai bamboo house. more at: www.topchinatravel.com
Wild Elephant Valley Forest Park
is a special theme park for Wild Asian Elephant sightseeing and observing and rainforest sightseeing. It locates in the south part of Mengyang Natural Protection Area, 45 km from Jinghong City. Park covers an area of 3,700,000 square meters, among which, building area is around 2,800 square meters, water area is up to 8000 square meters. China’s wild elephant can only be found in the tropical forest in Xishuangbanna, while Wild Elephant Valley is the very place where you many find wild Asian Elephants much easier and more frequently. It is recorded that, there are about 130 wild Asian Elephant living in this region. more at: www.topchinatravel.com
is a special theme park for Wild Asian Elephant sightseeing and observing and rainforest sightseeing. It locates in the south part of Mengyang Natural Protection Area, 45 km from Jinghong City. Park covers an area of 3,700,000 square meters, among which, building area is around 2,800 square meters, water area is up to 8000 square meters. China’s wild elephant can only be found in the tropical forest in Xishuangbanna, while Wild Elephant Valley is the very place where you many find wild Asian Elephants much easier and more frequently. It is recorded that, there are about 130 wild Asian Elephant living in this region. more at: www.topchinatravel.com
Mengle Great Buddhist Monastery
is the largest Theravada Buddhist temple in China now. The temple, while promoting the Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhism, uses modern techniques to protect the traditional cultural heritage and provides visitors a good chance to learn about local history and culture. Covering an area of 26 hectares, Mengle Great Buddhist Monastery’s layout outline coincides with the original natural landform like a sitting Buddha, which exclusive in the world. Themed on Theravada Buddhism, the Buddhist monastery inherits and popularizes traditional culture by modern means to meet visitors' sightseeing and appreciation of history, Buddhist and regional cultures. From the Hill Gate to Ten-thousand Buddha-Statue Pagoda, a story about Sakyamuni's all life is perfectly read by landscapes and architectures in the scenic area, so every spots are full of stories and sermons. Having a bird's eye view of downtown Jinghong from the Square of Ten-thousand Buddha-Statue Pagoda, beautiful tropical scenery leaps to your eyes. Theravada Buddhism was brought into Xishuangbanna in the early 6th century, blended with local traditional religion, coming on to in the 16th century, so with a very long history. Xishuangbanna is an only region in China where Theravada Buddhism is prevailing, currently there are 300,000 Buddhism followers, 577 Buddhist monasteries and 215 pagodas here, well-nigh "every village has the Buddhist monastery and each family believes in Buddhism." more at: www.cits.net
is the largest Theravada Buddhist temple in China now. The temple, while promoting the Theravada Buddhism Theravada Buddhism, uses modern techniques to protect the traditional cultural heritage and provides visitors a good chance to learn about local history and culture. Covering an area of 26 hectares, Mengle Great Buddhist Monastery’s layout outline coincides with the original natural landform like a sitting Buddha, which exclusive in the world. Themed on Theravada Buddhism, the Buddhist monastery inherits and popularizes traditional culture by modern means to meet visitors' sightseeing and appreciation of history, Buddhist and regional cultures. From the Hill Gate to Ten-thousand Buddha-Statue Pagoda, a story about Sakyamuni's all life is perfectly read by landscapes and architectures in the scenic area, so every spots are full of stories and sermons. Having a bird's eye view of downtown Jinghong from the Square of Ten-thousand Buddha-Statue Pagoda, beautiful tropical scenery leaps to your eyes. Theravada Buddhism was brought into Xishuangbanna in the early 6th century, blended with local traditional religion, coming on to in the 16th century, so with a very long history. Xishuangbanna is an only region in China where Theravada Buddhism is prevailing, currently there are 300,000 Buddhism followers, 577 Buddhist monasteries and 215 pagodas here, well-nigh "every village has the Buddhist monastery and each family believes in Buddhism." more at: www.cits.net
Cuisine
The local specialties include bamboo rice, fragrant bamboo glutinous rice, roasted fish, and fried cowhide. The area near the new bridge, called Jinshatan in jinghong city, is clustered with food stalls. When the veil of night descends, it is wrapped in the tasty fragrances of a wide variety of enticing food choices. more at: www.chinahighlights.com
The local specialties include bamboo rice, fragrant bamboo glutinous rice, roasted fish, and fried cowhide. The area near the new bridge, called Jinshatan in jinghong city, is clustered with food stalls. When the veil of night descends, it is wrapped in the tasty fragrances of a wide variety of enticing food choices. more at: www.chinahighlights.com