Tipped to be one of the must-visit highlights on a tour of southern Yunnan, the Xishuangbanna Nationality Culture Park is a cultural icon of sorts on the shores of Liusha River. Ideally located within 1km of Jinghong City, this sprawling enclave occupies a whopping 165 acres of the area’s most pristine landscapes. Frequented by tourists and locals alike, the park serves as a miniaturized representation of Xishuangbanna with its natural environment, folk customs and culture replicated in the heart of southern Yunnan.
Divided according to direction, the southern corner of the Xishuangbanna Nationality Culture Park houses three designated tourist hubs. This includes a tropical fruit enclosure, a plant and vegetation zone as well as a swimming and sunbathing area. Rare plant species such as varieties of amomum, arecas and palms are found within the plant enclosure which houses 10 species of endangered plants. The tropical fruit garden in the park on the other hand houses a 99 acre orchard and a 9 acre coffee plantation within its confines. Fruit trees the likes of jackfruit, mango, coconut, grapefruit, carambola and lichee are found in the venue which also allows visitors to pick the fruits in season. A wildlife compound with elephants and various bird species is also found on the northern fringes of the orchard.
The northern section of the culture park however is dedicated to the ethnic minorities of Xishuangbanna as well as their traditional residences and customs. Exploring the cultural identity of the Lahu, Hani, Bland, Dai, Yao and Jinuo communities, visitors can witness local festivals such as dragon boat races, water dousing festivals as well as wedding rituals of the Dai populace in this area of the park. Bamboo firework displays and bamboo raft races are also conducted at the locale which also showcases traditional dance performances by Yunnan’s ethnic minorities. The four dance auditoriums at the park stage outdoor performances such as the Jinuo Tom Tom Dance, the Dai Peacock Dance and the Lahu Trichord Dance which involves 4 to 400 performers on specific days of the week.
Travellers on the lookout for a luxurious hotel in Yunnan should look no further than the stylish Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa. Providing guests with the crème de la crème in contemporary amenities this is one hotel Yunnan counts among its finest spa resorts.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.