XishuangBanna Primitive Forest Park

Chinese Name: 西双版纳原始森林公园
English Name: Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park

Located 8 kilometers east of Jinghong City (景洪市) and north of the Lancang River (澜沧江), Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park is one of the largest comprehensive eco-tourism attractions in Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Yunnan Province (云南省), China. The park spans over 25,000 acres of tropical rainforest, with more than 98% of the area covered by forests. This park is known for its pristine natural environment, wildlife, and local culture, making it an ideal destination for eco-tourism.

The park is designed around the modern concepts of nature, ecology, environmental protection, recreation, and health. It celebrates these themes through seasonal events such as the Ethnic New Year Culture Season in winter, the Peafowl Culture Season in spring, the Rainforest Culture Season in summer, and the Ethnic Costumes Season in autumn.

Major Attractions and Highlights

Peafowl Breeding Base

As one of the largest peafowl breeding bases in Southeast Asia, Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park is home to over 3,000 peafowls. The peafowl is the symbol of Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), and visitors have the unique opportunity to take photographs with them, bringing a sense of luck and auspiciousness home. The park also features the romantic tale of the Peafowl Princess and Zhao Shu Tun, best enjoyed by the picturesque Golden Lake (金湖), adding to the area’s mystique.

Man Double-dragon White Pagoda

The Man Double-dragon White Pagoda (曼双龙白塔) is a typical Theravada Buddhism (南传佛教) structure, influenced by traditional Dai architecture (傣族建筑). Standing at 18 meters tall, the pagoda is surrounded by eight small Buddha statues, each symbolizing different virtues: fortune, blessing, peace, fecundity, marriage, career, longevity, and auspiciousness. The spires of the pagoda and the surrounding towers are adorned with copper bells that chime when the mountain breeze blows, creating a “Sanskrit Tune” from heaven believed to bring auspiciousness and happiness. Visitors must climb 286 steps to approach the pagoda, a test of piety to see the Double-dragon statues.

Key Details

• Location: 8 kilometers east of Jinghong (景洪) city, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州)

• Climate: Subtropical rainforest climate

• Open Hours: 08:00 – 18:00, year-round

• Ticket Price: 45 RMB per person

• Area: 25,000 acres

• Famous Attractions: Peafowl Breeding Base, Monkey Taming Base, Large Ethnic Performance Stage

• Best Time to Visit: Year-round

• Recommended Visit Duration: 3-4 hours

Peafowl Villa

The Peafowl Villa (孔雀山庄) is a luxury tropical resort within the park, built according to a four-star standard. The villa offers 51 rooms and features a unique floating restaurant that can accommodate 200 people at once, serving a variety of local ethnic dishes, including the traditional Dai Long Table Feast (傣族长桌宴). The villa also has two medium-sized multi-functional conference rooms, fully equipped with professional control systems and audio setups, providing a wide range of multimedia services.

Additional Information

• Best Season to Visit: The park is suitable for visits year-round, with each season offering unique cultural experiences and opportunities to enjoy the diverse wildlife and natural beauty.

• Facilities: The park is equipped with essential services for tourists, including guided tours, accommodations, and dining options.

Historical Background

On January 6, 2025, Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park Ltd. (西双版纳原始森林公园有限公司) held the signing ceremony for the Peafowl Palace project, marking a new step in the park’s transformation and development.

Park Facilities

The park features the Peafowl Villa (孔雀山庄), built to four-star standards, offering a leisure and vacation experience within the embrace of the rainforest. The villa comprises 51 rooms, including 45 standard rooms and 6 suites. It also has a floating restaurant that can accommodate up to 200 people at a time, offering various ethnic specialties and the unique Dai Long Table Feast (傣家长桌宴).

The villa is equipped with two medium-sized multi-function conference rooms, offering professional control systems and audio facilities to support multimedia services.

Special Offers

As of February 2020, the park has implemented a policy of free admission for medical personnel nationwide, to honor their contributions.

Transportation Information

External Transportation

Visitors can take a bus from the Agricultural Bank of China (农行) bus station, located opposite the Jingyong Hotel (景咏饭店) in Jinghong City (景洪市). The bus travels to the park and runs hourly from 08:00 to 12:00. Afternoon departures are at 15:00, 16:30, and 17:30, with a fare of 5 RMB per person.

Internal Transportation

The park also offers electric vehicle services, with single-trip fares of 40 RMB per person and a full tour at 50 RMB per person, stopping at various scenic spots along the way.

About Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), which in ancient Dai language means “Mengbalanasi” (勐巴拉纳西), translates to “an ideal and magical land.” Located at the southernmost tip of Yunnan Province (云南省), Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州) is known for its tropical rainforest and rich ethnic diversity.

The park spans 26,310 acres, with a 98.6% forest coverage, making it the best-preserved patch of primitive forest south of the Tropic of Cancer (北回归线). The natural beauty here, combined with ethnic customs, offers a captivating experience for visitors. The park showcases three major themes: the Tropical Valley Rainforest (热带沟谷雨林), the Peafowl Culture (孔雀文化), and the Hani-Ethnic Customs (哈尼族-爱尼人风情). It is also home to unique plants like Wangtianshu (望天树), Hongguang Tree (红光树), and Yunnan Nutmeg (云南肉豆蔻), and rare wildlife, including Asian elephants, hornbills, peafowls, and black-crowned gibbons.

Famous Festivals

Xishuangbanna is also known for its annual Water Splashing Festival (泼水节), held from April 13-15, which is considered the “Eastern Carnival.” This vibrant celebration marks the traditional Dai New Year (傣族新年), with lively performances, water fights, and cultural events.

Forest Park

Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park is situated in a valley near Caijiang River (菜阳河), east of Jinghong City, and approximately 8 kilometers from the city center. The park spans an elevation range of 720 meters to 1,355 meters and covers an area of 30,000 acres. It focuses on eco-tourism, with activities such as scientific research tours, ethnic culture exhibitions, and leisure vacations.

The park is home to a variety of rare species, including the Asian elephant, peacock, hornbill, and black-crowned gibbon, as well as many unique plants like Wangtianshu, Red Light Trees, and Yellow-fruit Trees.

The park features six major tourist zones:

1. Reception Area (接待区)

2. Wild Recreation Area (野外游憩区)

3. Sightseeing Area (西双版纳观光游览区)

4. Forest Protection Area (森林保护区)

5. Flora and Fauna Area (花果林木区)

6. Central Recreation Area (中心游憩区)

Reception Area

This area includes two serene lakes, Moon Lakes (月亮湖), known for their clear, reflective waters. It also provides parking and has distinctive villas designed with a unique architectural style.

Wild Recreation Area

In this area, visitors can plant trees as souvenirs, camp, and engage in local Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) cultural activities, such as Zhao Pi Ling (召片领) ceremonial performances. These performances showcase the grandeur of the Dai palace (傣族宫殿) through spectacular displays of costumes, music, and dance.

Ethnic Customs

The Dai people (傣族) in Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) are deeply connected with water, a fundamental aspect of their culture. According to the Dai Code of Law, “To build a settlement, there must be a thousand rivers.” Water is vital to their way of life. As a people associated with water, the Dai are often called “the people of water.”

A well-known Dai saying states, “The foam follows the waves, and the Dai follow the flowing water,” reflecting the intimate relationship between the Dai people and water. Water is seen as the essence of life, the nurturing force behind all living things. According to the Dai Creation Epic, Inba Tian God (英叭天神) created the earth by mixing water with other substances.

In the Dai medical text, the “Hui Ta Wu Yun” (回塔五蕴), water is explained as one of the four essential elements (along with earth, fire, and wind) that form the basis of human life. Water is not only used for drinking, washing, transportation, and irrigation, but it is also believed to be the source of life itself.

All Dai villages are built near water, and their customs are deeply influenced by water. During the Dai New Year (傣族新年), water plays an essential role in activities like Bathing Buddha, Water Splashing, and Dragon Boat Racing. In addition, the tropical climate requires the Dai people to bathe several times a day. Water is also crucial for their rice paddies and agricultural irrigation systems.

Culture and Arts

The Dai people have a long history and have created a rich cultural heritage, with Dai calendar (傣历), Dai script (傣文), and vibrant folklore renowned worldwide. Over a thousand years ago, the Dai ancestors wrote many beautiful myths, legends, fables, poems, and stories on palm leaves and mulberry paper. There are over 550 long poems written in the Dai script, including works like “Zhao Shu Tun and Namu Nona” (召树屯与楠木诺娜) and “Gourd Letters” (葫芦信), which have been adapted into films and dramas, beloved by the people.

The Dai dance is a key aspect of their cultural expression, with unique artistic levels and distinctive national characteristics. Dances like the “Peacock Dance” (孔雀舞) and “Elephant Leg Drum Dance” (象脚鼓舞) are popular throughout Dai communities.

Peacock Dance

In Dai language, it is called “Jialuo Yong” (戛洛涌) or “Fanluo Yong” (烦洛涌). The Peacock Dance is the most famous and beloved dance of the Dai people, originating in Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), also known as “The Land of Peacocks.” It is typically performed during festivals, with movements inspired by the graceful dance of peacocks. The dance is considered a symbol of good fortune, happiness, and beauty.

Elephant Leg Drum Dance

The “Elephant Leg Drum Dance” (象脚鼓舞) is a male-dominated dance, popular among the Dai people. It is performed during the planting season and harvest celebrations to express joy and gratitude. The elephant leg drum is not only an important dance prop but also accompanies many other Dai dances, creating a lively and rhythmic atmosphere.

Family Structure

The Dai family follows a patriarchal system with a monogamous marriage structure. In Xishuangbanna, prior to the liberation, there was still a presence of dual marriage (对偶婚), where marriage and divorce were relatively free. However, marriage still required the consent of the family elders and village leaders. After a couple became engaged, the groom’s uncle or aunt would formally ask for the bride’s hand in marriage.

Dai Villages and Homes

The Dai people’s houses are typically bamboo houses, which are the most classic example of traditional stilt architecture in China. These homes are designed to keep the living spaces cool and comfortable in the tropical climate. Men in the Dai community traditionally have tattoos, which are symbols of bravery and beauty, and also serve to attract admiration from others.

Traditional Clothing

The Dai women’s clothing is beautiful and elegant, characterized by colorful patterns and silver jewelry. Their attire is known for its simplicity and gracefulness, which highlights their slender figures. They are often referred to as the “Golden Peacocks” because of their beauty and grace.

Dai women generally wear narrow-sleeved short tops and tube skirts that showcase their graceful bodies. The tops are often white or scarlet, and the skirts are long, reaching down to their ankles. The fabrics used are lightweight and colorful, with colors such as light pink, yellow, light green, and snow white.

The Dai men wear collarless robes or short-sleeved shirts, often paired with long pants and a headwrap made from white cloth, blue cloth, or scarlet cloth. Both men and women often carry traditional shoulder bags called Tongba (通巴), made from brightly colored yarn and featuring intricate patterns of animals, plants, or geometric designs.

Buddhist Architecture

Theravada Buddhism (小乘佛教) was introduced to Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) and became the predominant religion of the Dai people. Buddhist temples and pagodas are found throughout the region, with almost every village having its own temple. These structures have become central to the daily lives of the people, representing their sacred spiritual practices.

The Dai Buddhist temples are known for their multi-tiered roofs with rectangular tiles and elaborate designs. The buildings are typically square in shape and face east, with the central hall being higher than the two side halls. The roofs are made of rectangular tiles supported by bamboo beams, with decorative ornaments arranged along the ridge and eaves.

Scenery Within the Park

The Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park offers several unique attractions for visitors. Here are some of the park’s features:

Primitive Hunting Area

Visitors can experience ancient hunting methods with traditional tools like bows and crossbows. The park raises animals that can be captured, and tourists can attempt to hunt them and prepare their catch using local Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) cooking techniques.

“Lost Bag, Find a Companion” Activity

The park also features a cultural activity where visitors can participate in the Dai youth’s matchmaking ritual. Participants use traditional flower bags and follow a custom where young men and women search for companions, either in the form of a playful game or through witnessing a Dai youth matchmaking performance.

River Drift

For those seeking an adventure, the park provides rafting equipment for visitors to drift along the Caiyang River (菜阳河), a part of the Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) region. Rafting allows guests to enjoy nature and feel the thrill of conquering nature as they glide down the river.

Peacock Garden

A Peacock Garden inside the park houses over 400 green peacocks. Visitors can witness the stunning peacock display and capture photos with the magnificent birds.

Rainforest Exploration

The park is also known for its large areas of tropical gully rainforests (热带沟谷雨林), where visitors can walk along designated paths to explore the vibrant ecosystem. Rare species, such as Xishuangbanna hornbills (西双版纳犀鸟), wild buffalo, and colorful butterflies, can occasionally be seen during the journey. On a lucky day, visitors might even encounter playful monkeys and hornbills foraging in the woods.

Forest Protection Zone

In the Xishuangbanna Forest Protection Area, towering ancient trees and century-old species like Tianliao Wood (天料木) and Sago Palms (桫椤) are abundant. Other notable plants in the area include Triangular Pines (三尖杉), Giant Banyans, and the “living fossil” plants. Unique natural phenomena like plant strangulation and the rare “old roots growing new flowers” can also be seen in this protected zone.

Flower and Fruit Grove Area

This area is home to a variety of tropical fruits and flowers cultivated in Xishuangbanna (西双版纳). Visitors can explore the diverse plant species, including tropical flowers and bonsais, available for viewing.

Recreation and Conference Center

The Central Recreation Area (中心游憩区) is equipped with entertainment centers, conference services, and a Dai cultural restaurant, where guests can enjoy traditional Dai music and dance performances while dining. The area also includes conference facilities for business or academic meetings, making it suitable for both leisure and corporate events.

Local Cuisine

The Dai people (傣族) are the primary residents of Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), and their cuisine is highly regarded within the Yunnan (云南) culinary tradition. The most typical ingredients include sticky rice, sour flavors, grilled meats, and wild-caught fish, with wild herbs and plants providing distinctive seasoning and flavor.

Representative Dishes

• Sour Bamboo Shoot Fish (酸笋煮鱼): A traditional dish with fish and bamboo shoots.

• Lemongrass Grilled Fish (香茅草烤鱼): Grilled fish seasoned with lemongrass.

• Scented Bamboo Rice (香竹饭): Rice cooked in bamboo for added flavor.

• “Nami” Dipping Sauce (南秘): A spicy, sour sauce served with cucumbers.

Brown Ethnic Cuisine

The Brown ethnic group (布朗族) has a saying, “If you haven’t eaten grilled meat, you haven’t truly experienced the taste of meat.” Their food often includes grilled mountain rat, pigeon meat, and fresh fish. They also prepare dishes like crab meat, fried flower spiders, and sour vegetables such as sour meat and sour bamboo shoots.

Night Market Food

The Xishuangbanna Night Market (西双版纳夜市) is the perfect place to explore a variety of ethnic dishes. The market is filled with street vendors selling delicious foods, ideal for those who enjoy a local culinary adventure while experiencing the vibrant nightlife of Jinghong City (景洪市).

Dai Ethnic Festivals

The Dai (傣族) people celebrate many traditional festivals, with the Water Splashing Festival (泼水节) being the most famous. Here are some key ethnic festivals:

Water Splashing Festival (“Sang Kan Bi Mai” Festival)

Held annually from April 13 to 15, the Water Splashing Festival marks the Dai New Year. During the festival, people splash water on one another to wash away bad luck and bring blessings for the coming year. It is also a time for cultural activities like boat races, flower offerings, and traditional dances. The highlight is the splashing of water, where the phrase “soaked to the skin, happiness forever” is often said to convey the joy and blessings shared during the festival.

Hani “Ga Tang Pa” Festival

Held from January 2 to 4, the Hani people (哈尼族) celebrate this festival by preparing sticky rice cakes and holding ceremonies to honor ancestors and gods. Young men and women gather to pick wild flowers, and the festival includes gathering new water and playing traditional games like the spinning top.

Lahu “Lahu” Festival

The Lahu people (拉祜族) celebrate their festival around the same time as the Chinese New Year, during which they eat sticky rice cakes and engage in various activities like hunting and leaf drum dancing (芦笙舞).

Other Ethnic Festivals

Other notable festivals include the “Haowasa” Festival (豪瓦萨节) of the Browns, the “Wumao Ke” Festival (物懋克节) of the Jinuo (基诺族), and the Panwang Festival (盘王节) of the Yao (瑶族), each with its own unique traditions and rituals.

Local Tourist Products

Xishuangbanna offers several unique handicrafts that showcase the region’s rich ethnic culture:

• Wooden Paintings: These depict traditional customs, dress, and natural landscapes of Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), created using delicate wood and vibrant colors.

• Wood Carvings and Root Carvings: Traditionally, wood carvings (木雕) include depictions of Buddha statues, golden elephants, and sacred animals, while newer designs include wooden lions, wooden horses, and human figures.

• Black Pottery: Crafted from high-quality materials, this black pottery (黑陶) is produced in Menghai County (勐海县) and is used for making traditional items like pots, vases, teapots, and more.

• Silver Jewelry: Traditional silver jewelry (银饰品) is made by local artisans, featuring earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more, designed with intricate patterns.

Climate and Travel Tips

The climate in Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) is tropical, with warm weather year-round. The dry season lasts from November to April, while the rainy season occurs from May to October. The average annual temperature is 21°C, making it an ideal destination for a comfortable getaway. Even in January, the temperature remains high, so only light clothing is needed.

Tip: Xishuangbanna is a beautiful destination that combines nature, culture, and unique ethnic experiences. Visitors can enjoy local food, vibrant festivals, and fascinating wildlife throughout the year.