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Day
1
Arrive in Jinghong (L)
Transfer via: Flight – on your own arrangement (we can arrange it for you if you require it)
Sightseeing: Manting Park, Wild Elephant Valley
When you arrive in Jinghong, you will be met by our local guide and then be transferred to your hotel.
After a rest, have the city tour to Manting Park. It is called Chunhuang as well in local Dai language, means Garden of Spirits. This park is the oldest park in Xishuangbanna, used to be a royal garden of Dai. Many trees and ornamental plants growing in it providing people with a good rest place. Wabajie Temple, the Buddhist temple with the highest status in Xishuangbanna is situated here.
Then move to Wild Elephant Valley. To the Dai people, the elephant is the symbol of good luck, might and longevity. The wild elephants of Xishuangbanna mainly live in the Wild Elephants Valley (Yexiang Gu), at the juncture of the western and eastern part of the Menyang natural reserve. In the valley, there is an observation tower, especially built for tourists. The best time to see these impressive beasts is at dawn or dusk. There are currently 300 elephants living in the dense forest in Xishuangbanna, known locally as the "kingdom of elephants".
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Day
2
Jinghong (B, L)
Sightseeing: Tropical Botanical Garden at Menglun, Jinuo Village
Today's visit will include Tropical Botanical Garden at Menglun and Jinuo Village.
The Botanic Garden of Tropical Plants (redai zhiwuyuan) is one of the major attractions of Xishuangbanna. Situated on Hulu Island, the garden contains 3,000 different types of plant. The environment here is spectacular, surrounded by rivers and mountains and containing a wealth of rare and unusual plants, trees and flowers. Dragon Blood Tree is one of the most interesting and valuable species in the garden. Its sap is used as a remedy to stop bleeding and promote blood circulation.
Jinuo Village, The Jinuo minority live there is almost a primordial one.
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Day
3
Jinghong (B, L)
Sightseeing: The Olive Plain, Water Splashing Festival
After breakfast, we will drive to the Olive Plain (Ganlan Ba). It is located in the lower reaches of Lancang River, 40kms from Jinghong city and it is the fourth biggest dam of the 23 dams in Xishuangbanna. The area has a typical tropical zone landscapes with low terrain and moist climate. Ganlan Ba covers an area of 50 square kilometers and is 530 meters above sea level, which is the lowest place in Xishuangbanna. Weather in the region is hot, humid, which brings in various tropical fruits like coconut, areca, banana, mango, litchi, carambola, pineapple honey, etc, as well as great amount of candied fruit.
Enjoy Water Splashing Festival. Water-Splashing Festival is the most ceremonious traditional festival of the Dai minority. It usually takes place in mid-April of the solar calendar, often ten days before or after the Tomb-sweeping Day, and lasts three to seven days. Water-Splashing Festival is the New Year in the Dai calendar, and also a festival with the largest influence and maximum participating population among lots of minority festivals in Yunnan Province. In this festival, the Dai People without reference to age and sex will get dressed up and shoulder clean water to the Buddhist Temple. They will first bathe the Buddha and then begin to splash water with one another for wishing luck, happiness and health.
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Day
4
Jinghong/Departure (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight –on your own arrangement (we can arrange it if you require it)
Sightseeing: Jung Zhen Octagonal Pavilions,
This morning, you will have a visit to Jung Zhen Octagonal Pavilions. As one of the important relics of Xishuangbanna, the Jung Zhen Octagonal Pavilion is named after the place where it is located. The octagonal pavilion, called "Wo Su" in the Dai language, is a place where the senior Buddhist monks give sutra, repent, hold meetings and memorize Buddha. With the history of almost 300 years, the pavilion acted as the hall of precept when it was built in 1704AD, while now being a national relic protection unit. With the smart and magnificent shape, the octagonal pavilion is considered as the marvelous word in the Hinayana Buddhism and it is also a mark of the Dai minority architecture in ancient Xishuangbanna.
Then you will have the free time to explore the city.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to airport to take flight for your next destination.