Manting Royal Garden is located at No. 35 Manting Road, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, approximately 2 kilometers away from the center of Jinghong City. Covering an area of 400 mu (about 26.67 hectares), it is one of the oldest parks in Xishuangbanna with a history of over 1,300 years. Once serving as the royal garden of the Dai kings, it integrates the historical heritage of the Dai royal family, Buddhist culture, ethnic customs, and tropical landscape, and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The garden preserves more than 500 ancient iron knife trees and other vegetation in good condition. Its unique architectural style includes over 30 heritage sites such as pagodas, Buddhist temples, and pavilions, forming a distinctive landscape that blends nature and humanity.
History and Culture
The history of Manting Royal Garden dates back to the reign of King Payazhen of the Dai people, spanning over 1,300 years. In the Dai language, it is named "Chunhuan," which means "Garden of the Soul." Legend has it that when the Dai queen visited this place, she was so captivated by the beautiful scenery that her soul did not want to leave.
The Manting Buddhist Temple within the scenic area is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Xishuangbanna, with a history of more than 1,400 years. It houses a large number of Buddhist cultural relics and murals that reflect the development of Dai Buddhist culture. Additionally, the scenic area was the venue where Premier Zhou Enlai participated in the Xishuangbanna Water-Splashing Festival in 1961. A bronze statue commemorating Premier Zhou’s participation in the water-splashing ceremony is still preserved here, serving as a symbol of China-Myanmar friendship.
Major Attractions
Manting Buddhist Temple
With a history of over 1,400 years, it is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Xishuangbanna. The temple includes structures such as the Mahavira Hall, Precepts Hall, and pagodas, and preserves a wealth of Buddhist cultural relics and murals. The murals, mainly depicting Buddhist stories and Dai folk legends, hold high artistic value.
Bronze Statue Commemorating Premier Zhou’s Participation in the Water-Splashing Festival
Built in 1991, the statue is 4.5 meters tall and weighs 4.2 tons. It was erected to commemorate Premier Zhou Enlai’s participation in the Xishuangbanna Water-Splashing Festival in 1961. Dressed in traditional Dai attire and holding a silver basin, the statue depicts Premier Zhou splashing water with the Dai people, demonstrating his profound friendship with people of all ethnic groups.
Former Site of the Royal Garden
Once a place for the Dai kings and their families to relax and enjoy leisure time, the garden features a variety of tropical plants and flowers. With its elegant architectural style, it retains the original appearance of the royal garden and serves as a key attraction for experiencing the lifestyle of the Dai royal family.
Release Lake
Covering an area of approximately 10 mu (about 0.67 hectares), the lake is home to many carp and turtles. Visitors can participate in the Dai tradition of releasing animals here to experience local cultural customs. Surrounded by pavilions and towers, the lake offers a beautiful environment and is an ideal spot for taking photos.
Bonfire Party Venue
A large-scale bonfire party is held here every evening, capable of accommodating over 2,000 participants. The party includes ethnic song and dance performances, interactive games, and bonfire celebrations, allowing visitors to experience the enthusiasm and joy of the Dai people.
Recommended Tour Route
Recommended Tour Route: Scenic Area Entrance → Bronze Statue Commemorating Premier Zhou’s Participation in the Water-Splashing Festival → Manting Buddhist Temple → Former Site of the Royal Garden → Release Lake → Elephant Show Venue (watch the show at 15:30) → Ethnic Song and Dance Performance Venue (watch the show at 14:30 or 16:30) → Food Street (enjoy local snacks) → Bonfire Party Venue (attend the party at 18:50). This route covers the main attractions and performances of the scenic area, allowing visitors to fully understand the historical culture and ethnic customs of Manting Royal Garden. The entire tour takes approximately 4-5 hours.
Travel Tips
- It is recommended to visit in the afternoon: first explore the attractions, then watch the elephant show and ethnic song and dance performances, and attend the bonfire party in the evening for a reasonable schedule.
- Wear light and comfortable clothing and shoes for easy walking and participation in activities. You can also rent traditional Dai costumes for photos at a cost of approximately 30 yuan per set.
- Book tickets for the bonfire party in advance to avoid sold-out situations. The party includes dinner, allowing you to taste a variety of local Dai cuisines.
- Bring a camera and mobile phone to capture the beautiful scenery and wonderful performances. There are multiple photo spots in the scenic area, such as the Bronze Statue of Premier Zhou and Manting Buddhist Temple.
Notes
- When entering the Buddhist temple, remove your shoes and dress appropriately. Do not wear shorts, short skirts, or off-shoulder clothing to show respect for Buddhist culture and customs.
- When participating in the bonfire party, follow the staff’s instructions, do not run around randomly, and pay attention to safety. Especially for visitors with children, please take good care of them.
- You can release animals at Release Lake, but only use the creatures provided by the scenic area. Do not bring your own animals to avoid damaging the ecological environment.
- When tasting Dai cuisines, pay attention to food hygiene and avoid overeating to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Bus No. 3 in Jinghong City, get off at Manting Park Station, and walk approximately 500 meters to reach the scenic area.
- Taxi: Take a taxi from the center of Jinghong City to Manting Royal Garden, which costs about 10 yuan and takes approximately 5 minutes.
- Electric Bike: Rent an electric bike in downtown Jinghong to travel to the scenic area. The rental fee is about 50 yuan per day, and the journey takes approximately 10 minutes. There are electric bike parking spaces at the entrance of the scenic area.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open from 8:00 to 17:30. The bonfire party is held from 18:50 to 22:00. Ethnic song and dance performances are held at 14:30 and 16:30 every day, and the elephant show is at 15:30. Visitors can arrange their viewing time accordingly. Please refer to the scenic area’s official announcement for the latest updates.
Ticket Information
The ticket price is 40 yuan per person.
You can search for the scenic area’s official WeChat public account "西双版纳曼听御花园" to obtain the latest updates or purchase tickets online.