Jinghong Attractions
Manfeilong Pagoda
Manting Park
Octagonal Pavilion
Tropical Plant Research Institute
Xishuangbanna Nationality Culture Park
Wild Elephant Valley
As a bright pearl on the southeastern border of China, Jinghong attracts tens of thousands of tourists both from home and abroad every year with its rich ethnic folklore, beautiful mythical tales, ancient Hinayana Buddhism and tropical scenery. It was recognized as an Excellent Chinese Tourism City in 1999 by the Chinese government.
The nearest scenic spot around Jinghong City is Monkey Hill, which is the largest rhesus monkey farm in Asia, and the Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park, a large ecological scenic area. In the park, visitors can enjoy both the unique primal forest scenery and the colorful ethnic folklore of Yunnan. Near to the park, you can find the Tropical Plant Research Institute. The institute plants over 1,000 plants with economical or medicinal value.
Dai Garden (a village of the Dai ethnic group), the First Ecological Village of China, is located in Menghan Town, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) away from Jinghong. It is made up of five natural villages of the Dai people--Manjiang, Manchunman, Manting, Manzha and Manga. In the Dai Garden there are Buddhist pagodas, traditional bamboo buildings of the Dai people, coconut palms, areca palms, mango trees, jack trees, a princess well, and a mother-son island.
The Octagonal Pavilion, situated on a hill in Jingzhen Village, in Menghai County, represents the superb craftsmanship of the Dai Minority in both construction and decoration.
About 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from Jinghong City is the Wild Elephant Valley, a typical tropical rain forest. It is the only place in Xishuangbanna where visitors can observe elephants. Besides the elephants, visitors can also find wild buffalo, green peafowls, rhesus monkeys and other rare animals.
Beyond the Wild Elephant Valley is the Manfeilong Pagoda which is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) away from Jinghong. Nine Buddhist pagodas rise from the top of the mountain behind Manfeilong Village. The main pagoda stands in the middle surrounded by other eight, which are in an octagonal array.
Farthest away from Jinghong is the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences) which is located about 96 kilometers (60 miles) away. It is the largest botanical garden in China and contains nearly ten thousand different species of tropical plants.
When you return to Jinghong City, the Chunhua Park, ‘the garden of soul' is a must for visitors. The most famous scenic spot there is the Xishuangbanna Tropical Flowers Garden which is a combination of scientific research, sightseeing and holiday making. And also, you can go to the Manting Park. It is the oldest park in the city, with a history of more than 1,300 years. In medieval times, it was the place where feudal leaders went to relax and enjoy themselves.
Moreover, the Xishuangbanna Nationality Culture Park located on the bank of the Liusha River near Jinghong City is highly-recommended. It is a tropical garden and a showcase of regional folkways.