Wangtianshu (Wangtian Tree) Scenic Area is located in Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, approximately 134 kilometers away from Jinghong City. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and the only globally recognized core area of tropical rainforest in China. Covering a total area of about 864 hectares, the scenic area boasts China's most well-preserved tropical rainforest ecosystem. The tallest Wangtianshu (Parashorea chinensis) here reaches 80 meters in height, equivalent to a 20-story building. With "canopy walkway" and "rainforest adventure" as its core features, the scenic area is equipped with facilities such as a 500-meter-long high-altitude canopy walkway, rainforest hiking trails, and Prince Philip Trail. It is a comprehensive scenic spot integrating natural sightseeing, popular science education, and ecological experience.
History and Culture
Mengla County, where Wangtianshu Scenic Area is situated, was an important node on the ancient "Tea and Coffee Trail" and historically served as a hunting ground for the Dai royal family. The Dai villages within the scenic area preserve traditional stilted buildings and the slow-wheel pottery-making technique. Among them, the pottery-making craft of Mandan Village has been included in the provincial intangible cultural heritage list. In addition, Wangtianshu (scientific name: Parashorea chinensis) is a rare and protected plant in China. Discovered by botanist Cai Xitao in 1975, it gets its name from its straight trunk that towers into the sky and has become a iconic tree species of China's tropical rainforests.
Major Attractions
High-Altitude Canopy Walkway
As the core attraction of the scenic area, the High-Altitude Canopy Walkway is suspended between the canopies of 36-meter-tall Wangtianshus. With a total length of 500 meters, it is composed of steel cables and mesh walkways. Walking on it allows visitors to overlook the entire rainforest and experience the thrills and excitement of "walking on the tree tops". The one-way traversal takes about 1 hour, and the maximum capacity is 200 visitors at the same time.
Rainforest Hiking Trails
The Rainforest Hiking Trails have a total length of 3 kilometers and are divided into two routes: Route A and Route B. Route A passes by the "Rainforest Giants" - Wangtianshu cluster, the "big buttress roots" spectacle, and the "parasitic strangulation" ecological scene. Route B extends to the banks of the Nanla River, where visitors can see the drinking spot of wild Asian elephants (seasonal). There are 12 popular science signboards along the hiking trails, providing detailed introductions to rainforest ecological knowledge. The entire tour takes about 2.5 hours.
Prince Philip Trail
Named after Britain's Prince Philip, Prince Philip Trail is a 1.5-kilometer-long primitive rainforest adventure route. Along the way, visitors can observe highly toxic plants such as Antiaris toxicaria (upas tree), as well as epiphytic plants like tree ferns and orchids. At the end of the trail, there is a Rainforest Ecological Museum, which displays insect specimens and plant fossils. The tour takes about 1.5 hours.
Nanla River Sightseeing Cruise
The Nanla River is a tributary of the Lancang River. The section within the scenic area is 8 kilometers long. Taking a sightseeing cruise allows visitors to enjoy the scenery of the rainforest along the riverbank, and it is common to see rare birds such as egrets and hornbills. The cruise operates from 9:00 to 17:00 every day, with one departure per hour. The entire journey takes 40 minutes, and visitors can have a distant view of the "One Bridge Connecting Two Countries" landscape on the China-Laos border.
Tour Routes
Classic One-Day Tour Route: Arrive at the scenic area at 08:30, first visit Prince Philip Trail (09:00-10:30) to learn about the primitive rainforest ecosystem; go to Route A of the Rainforest Hiking Trails at 11:00 (11:00-12:30) to see Wangtianshus and unique vegetation; have lunch at the scenic area restaurant at 13:00, and taste Dai-style dishes such as lemongrass roasted chicken and bamboo tube rice; experience the High-Altitude Canopy Walkway at 14:30 (14:30-15:30) to challenge the high-altitude walk; take the Nanla River Sightseeing Cruise at 16:00 (16:00-16:40), and return after the tour ends.
Travel Tips
- Clothing: The rainforest has a hot and humid climate. It is recommended to wear breathable, quick-drying clothes and avoid cotton clothes, as they will become heavy after absorbing moisture and increase the burden.
- Anti-mosquito Supplies: There are many mosquitoes in the scenic area. Prepare mosquito repellent spray and mosquito repellent patches, and pay special attention to protection during hiking.
- Advance Reservation for Canopy Walkway: There are many tourists on weekends and holidays. It is recommended to book tickets for the canopy walkway 1 day in advance and choose the morning session for a better light experience.
- Light Packing: Climbing stairs is required to access the canopy walkway. It is recommended to carry a small-capacity backpack and avoid bringing large luggage.
Notes
- Safety Warning: Running and shaking the walkway are prohibited on the canopy walkway. Visitors weighing more than 120 kilograms must inform the staff in advance.
- Ecological Protection: The rainforest has a variety of plants. Picking flowers and plants, and touching toxic plants (such as Antiaris toxicaria) are strictly prohibited. Violators will be fined 200-500 yuan.
- Respect for Customs: There are Dai villages in the scenic area. When visiting, avoid entering the villagers' living areas, and obtain permission before taking photos.
- Weather Attention: Xishuangbanna has heavy rains during the rainy season (May-October). Check the weather forecast before traveling. Raincoats can be rented in the scenic area in case of rain (20 yuan per piece).
- Valuables Storage: There is a large flow of people on the cruise and canopy walkway. Take care of valuables such as mobile phones and cameras to prevent them from falling into the rainforest or river.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Depart from Jinghong City, drive along Mengmo Highway (G213) for about 2 hours, covering a total distance of 134 kilometers. The scenic area has a free parking lot.
- Shuttle Bus: Jinghong Coach Station has direct buses to Mengla County at 07:30 and 09:00 every day, with a ticket price of 50 yuan per person. After arriving in Mengla County, transfer to the scenic area special minibus (15 yuan per person, 30-minute drive).
- Group Tour: Major travel agencies in Xishuangbanna offer one-day tour packages to Wangtianshu Scenic Area, including tickets, transportation, and a tour guide. The price is about 280-350 yuan per person, covering lunch and the canopy walkway experience.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open year-round, from 08:30 to 18:00 daily (admission stops at 17:30). The High-Altitude Canopy Walkway is open from 09:00 to 17:00, and the last departure of the Nanla River Cruise is at 17:00. In case of bad weather such as heavy rain or strong winds, the canopy walkway may be temporarily closed. It is recommended to check the scenic area notice before traveling.
Tickets
Adult Ticket: 55 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area "西双版纳望天树景区" on WeChat to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.