Located in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, Jinghong Ancient City is a popular tourist attraction that combines the Dai culture with unique natural landscapes. Besides, it houses many buildings and temples with distinctive ethnic features, which show the traditional lifestyle and religious beliefs of the Dai people.
Centered around Water Splashing Square, Jinghong Ancient City is easily accessible and home to attractions such as Binjiang Park, Zongfosi Temple, and Manting Park. Along with its convenient transportation and well-equipped facilities, it attracts numerous visitors from home and abroad.
Fast Facts of Jinghong Ancient City
- Location: On the southern bank of the Lancang River, opposite Gaozhuang in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
- Opening hours: All day long
- Time needed:1-2 days
- Highlights: Parks, temples, pagodas, old markets
- Best time to visit: During the dry season from October to April next year
- Suited to: Anyone, especially history enthusiasts
What to See and Do in Jinghong Ancient City
1. Explore the Traditional Markets
Exploring traditional markets in Jinghong Ancient City is a way to deeply immerse yourself in the local culture. Walking through the bustling market streets, you’ll see locals busily selecting fresh fruits and vegetables. Moreover, you will find handcrafted items meticulously made by local artisans in the markets during your Yunnan tours to Xishuangbanna.
2. Visit Jinghong Dai Temples
There are many Buddhist temples, and visiting them also helps to understand the religious culture of the Dai people. Jinghong Ancient City offers a good opportunity for you to appreciate the unique architecture of these temples. Besides, the murals, carvings, and Buddha statues within the temples are rich in ethnic characteristics. Through these, you’ll feel the deep devotion of the locals to Buddhism.
3. Stroll in the Ancient City
Walking through the alleys of Jinghong Ancient City will also be a wonderful experience on your trip to Xishuangbanna in Yunnan. You can admire up close the intricate wood carvings, unique bamboo-thatched roofs, and exotic window decorations. The streets wind and meander, with traditional Dai buildings by the sides. By the way, you can interact with the locals so as to better understand their lifestyles.
4. Discover Manjinglan Ancient Town
Featuring a unique architectural style that shows the traditional aesthetics of the Dai people, Manjinglan Ancient Town of Jinghong Ancient City is not only a collection of exotic architectural styles but also rich in history and culture. This is an enchanting place with coconut trees, banana plants, and bamboo groves everywhere, which makes wandering there like traveling in a tropical rainforest.
5. Taste Delicious Food
Don’t hesitate to try the local Dai cuisine in Jinghong Ancient City, especially the tasty grilled fish. Also, the sticky rice is another must-try dish made from carefully selected glutinous rice that is steamed to a soft and fragrant perfection. Besides, this ancient city is home to tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapples, and papayas, don’t miss them during your Yunnan Xishuangbanna tours.
6. Attend Festival Celebrations
If you happen to visit Jinghong during traditional festivals like the Water Splashing Festival or the Closing Door Festival, be sure to join in, as these Dai festivals are vibrant and joyful. Grand celebrations are held in Water Splashing Square in Jinghong Ancient City, making it an excellent place to experience the festive atmosphere of this traditional Dai holiday.
Best Time to Visit Jinghong Ancient City
Jinghong Ancient City is open and attractive throughout the year, and each season brings its own unique charm. But the best time to visit there is during the dry season from October to April when the weather is pleasant, with comfortable temperatures and lower humidity.
Getting to Jinghong Ancient City
You need to take a plane to Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport from other cities in China. Then, from the airport, take a taxi or a shuttle bus to reach Jinghong Ancient City. If you prefer a scenic route, there are also bus services available from neighboring cities and provinces.
Attractions Nearby Jinghong Ancient City
- Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden: Located a short distance from Jinghong Ancient City, this botanical garden is a heaven for nature enthusiasts. There, one can explore a vast collection of plants, through which one can learn about the region’s rich biodiversity.
- Ganlanba Dai Minority Park: Covering an area of 3.36 square kilometers, this area contains five of the best-preserved Dai ethnic villages in China, showing tourists the daily lives of the locals, the architectural details, and unique craftsmanship.
