Manting Park is located southeast of Jinghong City, the capital of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, about 2 kilometers from the downtown area. It covers an area of 66 acres and is situated in the triangular area where the Lancang River and Liusha River converge.
As the oldest park in Xishuangbanna, Manting Park was once the royal garden of the Dai kings and has a history of over 1,300 years. The park is famous for its Dai Royal Culture, Dai Folk Culture, and Buddhist Culture. According to legend, the park received its name because the beautiful scenery captivated the soul of the Dai queen when she visited. Hence, the park is also called “Chunhuan,” meaning “Park of Soul.”
Fast Facts of Manting Park
- Location: 35 Manting Road, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
- Opening hours:8:00 – 17:00 (Bonfire Party starts at 18:30)
- Time needed: a half-day
- Best time to visit: During the dry season from October to April
- Ticket: CNY 40 per person
- Main attractions: Garden of Orchids, Bamboo Shoots Pagoda, Wa ba Jie Temple, Release Lake, Black Forest
- Suited to: Anyone, especially Dai culture and nature lovers
What to See and Do in Manting Park
1. Discover Zongfosi Temple
Also known as Wa Ba Jie Temple, Zongfosi Temple is one of the earliest Theravada Buddhist temples built in Xishuangbanna and a must-visit attraction during your Yunnan tours to Xishuangbanna. It is connected to Manting Park, and visitors typically enter the temple through the park, admire the grand and exquisite architecture from the outside, and step inside the temple to experience a spiritual cleansing through Buddhism.
2. Marvel at Bamboo Shoots Pagoda
The Bamboo Shoots Pagoda is also a landmark of Manting Park. It has a unique design inspired by the Manfeilong Bamboo Shoots Pagoda of Manfeilong Village. Also known as White Pagoda, the main part stands in the center, surrounded by eight smaller pagodas, resembling bamboo shoots sprouting from the ground, hence its name. Visiting there, you can climb to the top and have a panoramic view of the whole park.
3. Tour the Release Lake
Manting Park’s Release Lake is a place where Buddhist devotees in Xishuangbanna perform animal releases, and it is one of the most famous release lakes in Southeast Asia. You can take a tour there and release fish if you want. Besides, taking a boat ride to explore the lake and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding landscape will also be a wonderful thing to do during your Yunnan Xishuangbanna tours.
4. Watch Various Performances
There are a variety of performances held in Manting Park. For instance, you can see the performance of Dai King’s Parade, through which you’ll better understand the traditional Dai royal culture. Besides, you can enjoy the ethnic song and dance performances to experience the rich cultural heritage there. What’s more, you can watch elephants perform adorable tricks like painting and playing football. All these must leave a lasting impression on your trip to Xishuangbanna in Yunnan.
5. Join the Bonfire Party
One of the highlights of Manting Park is undoubtedly the evening’s bonfire party. The whole event includes the indoor show titled “Lancang-Mekong Night,” the outdoor release of water lanterns, and the bonfire party, combining ethnic charm, exotic scenery, and humorous live interactions. Also, you can enjoy Dai ethnic cuisine, watch traditional Dai dance performances, and even join residents in dancing and singing at the bonfire party.
Best Time to Visit Manting Park
Jinghong experiences mild summers without extreme heat and winters without severe cold, with moderate temperatures year-round. The best time to visit Manting Park in Jinghong is during the months of October to April in the dry season when the weather is pleasant for traveling and the park is at its most beautiful.
Getting to Manting Park
To reach Manting Park, you can take a flight to Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport from major cities in China, or take a train from nearby cities like Kunming. Then, hire a taxi or take Bus No.3 to the park.
Attractions Nearby Manting Park
- Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden: This is a must-visit attraction during your travel to Xishuangbanna in Yunnan. Covering an area of 1,125 hectares, it is famous fora large number of tropical plants. Besides, there is a well-preserved pristine tropical rainforest.
- Dai Minority Park: Located 30 kilometers from Manting Park, this attraction in Xishuangbanna allows you to visit traditional Dai houses, see Dai dance performances, and taste Dai cuisine.
- Wild Elephant Valley: This is China’s first national park themed around wildlife conservation and environmental protection and is home to Asian elephants. It mainly features rich biodiversity and tropical rainforests.
