Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market – The Heart of Xishuangbanna

Written by Veronica | Updated December 24,2024

Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market is one of the most renowned tourist spots in Jinghong city of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. At around 6 pm every evening, a little before sunset, colorful umbrellas start to pop up on the massive square behind Golden Pagoda. Soon the square will be filled with hundreds of stalls. Their light strings light up the night like a sea of stars.

There are many night markets in Xishuangbanna, but the Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market is the largest and most popular one. You’ll be impressed with countless food stalls, souvenir shops, clothing stores, and street performers. This is the best place to get a taste of the local diverse culture when you travel to Xishuangbanna in Yunnan.

Fast Facts of Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market

• Location: Gaozhuang Village, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the city center of Jinghong in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
• Hours: 6 pm-12:30 am
• Recommended visit time: 2 or 3 hours
• Highlights: Food stalls, souvenir shops, clothing stores, street performers
• Suited to: Families, couples, and solo travelers who are interested in Yunnan’s local culture

 

What to See and Do in Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market

Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market is a feast for your senses. You’ll find everything from southeastern Asian cuisines to the costumes of the Dai people. Here are some recommended highlights for your visit.

1. Taste Local Delicacies

Gaozhuang Night Market has lots of food stalls run by locals. The most famous dishes are Xishuangbanna barbequed fish, grilled squid, and lime chili salad.

Yunnan is located along China’s border with Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. Its food culture shares some similarities with Southeastern Asian flavors. You’ll find plenty of coconut mango rice and Laos iced coffee.

2. Shop for Clothes and Souvenirs

As you walk around the market, you’ll see tourists and locals in traditional outfits of the Dai minority culture, which are characterized by bright colors, beautiful patterns, and stunning hair ornaments. There are many clothing stores for you to pick out a fresh look for yourself. You’ll also find handbags, purses, and shoes to go with the outfit.

You can bring home some souvenirs from the market too, from handcrafted items, and figurines, to traditional Chinese medicines. It’s common to bargain for a better price, so don’t be shy!

3. Enjoy Street Performances and Colorful Decorations

Throughout the night, you’ll encounter various street performers bringing acrobatic acts, music, and dances to the lively night market. Together with colorful lights, lanterns, and other ornamental displays, Gaozhuang Night Market is a great spot for photos, especially if you’re dressed up in Dai costumes.

 

Best Time to Visit Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market

Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market can get very busy on weekends and during holidays. Try to visit off-season or during the weekdays. It is also less crowded earlier in the evening.

Xishuangbanna has a tropical rainforest season with distinct wet and dry seasons. Usually, the rainy season lasts from May to October, and the dry season from November to April. The best time for Yunnan Xishuangbanna tours is generally from October to June.

 

Getting to Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market

Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market is easily accessible by taxi or bus. If you’re staying in Jinghong City, it’s best to take a taxi, which will take about 10 to 15 minutes. But keep in mind that traffic can be a headache during holidays or on the weekends. If you’re coming from further away, there are buses from various places in Xishuangbanna.

 

Attractions Nearby Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market

• Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Science is a massive research institution dedicated to scientific research and species preservation. It is home to an impressive tropical rainforest with an excellent preservation of over 13,000 plant species.
• Manting Park is a beautiful park in Jinghong, just a short drive from Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market. It is large in size, with Buddhist architecture, lovely ponds, and plenty of plant lives.
• Dai Minority Garden is an outdoor park that showcases the culture and customs of the Dai ethnic minority. You can learn about the customs, art, architecture, and traditions of the Dai people.
• Wild Elephant Valley is about an hour’s drive from Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market. It is a natural reserve that is home to wild Asian elephants as well as many other rare endangered species.

Yunnan Xishuangbanna Tours to Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market

• 3 Days Xishuangbanna Rainforest Hike & Culture Tour
• 6 Days Xishuangbanna Tour with Coffee & Pu’er Tea Culture
• 6 Days Xishuangbanna Tour with Jingmai Mountain

We can also customize your Yunnan Xishuangbanna tour to Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market here.