Xishuangbanna Travel Guide

Xishuangbanna is a fertile plain surrounded by mountains, located in the southernmost part of Yunnan Province, China. It shares borders with Laos and Myanmar and is close to Thailand and Vietnam. Xishuangbanna comprises Jinghong City, Menghai County, and Mengla County. The Lancang River irrigates this lush land, and beyond China’s borders, it is known as the Mekong River, flowing through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam before emptying into the Pacific Ocean, earning the title “Danube of the East.”

This region is home to a diverse array of ethnic minorities, including the Dai, Hani, Lahu, and Blang peoples, among 13 ethnic groups living in harmony. The Dai people are the most populous among them. In ancient Dai language, Xishuangbanna was called “Mengbalanaxi,” which means “ideal and magical paradise.”

The climate of Xishuangbanna is characterized by its warmth. The average annual temperature is 21.9°C, with distinct dry and rainy seasons. The dry season, from November to May, offers cooler weather and is the peak tourist season. April is particularly notable for the grand Water Splashing Festival. The rainy season, from June to October, brings hot and humid weather, but this is also the time to enjoy a variety of fruits. During the rainy season, there are fewer tourists, and overall travel expenses tend to be lower.