Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna, as a National Scenic Resort, is rich in nature, historical and cultural resources, noted for the multifarious folklore, rain forests, rare plants and wildlife, etc. Its major tourist attractions include Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden, Manfeilong Pagodas (Tanuozhuanglong), Jingzhen Pavilion, Wild Elephant Gully, Dai people's village at Ganlanba, etc.

The well-known traditional festival is the ethnic Dai's Water-Splashing Festival. It lasts for three days from April 13 to 15. Besides water- splashing event it also consists of some other events such as Dragon boat races, firing of indigenous missiles, flying Kongming Lamps, etc.

Xishuangbanna contains the one setting of China's tropical rainforest in China and within the area is preserved pristine Dai culture. While biology buffs may salivate over the various of flora and fauna in the region, those who have no horticultural inclination will still be intrigued by the region's unique culture.

The Dai people celebrate three main festivals, which are the Opening Door Festival, Closing Door Festival and the Water-splashing Festival. The first two festivals are dedicated to Buddha. Grand celebrations and worshipping activities are held at the various stupas in the region. The Water-splashing Festival is the most important occasion in the area, which seems to inject a bit of life into the otherwise uneventful region.

The whole community and tourists alike will be out in the streets joyfully joining in a battle of water splashing onto each other during that day. The city turns out to be a sea of billow and spray.