The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (abbreviated as "West Garden"), is located in Menglun Town, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Situated on a gourd-shaped peninsula surrounded by the Luosuo River, a tributary of the Lancang River, it is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and China's largest comprehensive botanical garden. Covering approximately 1,125 hectares (about 16,875 mu), the garden preserves over 13,000 species of tropical plants across more than 50 specialized plant gardens, with the Palm Garden, Banyan Garden, and Victoria Lily Pond as core exhibition areas. At an altitude of 570 meters and with an annual average temperature of 21.4°C, the garden features diverse ecosystems such as tropical rainforests, monsoon forests, and tropical savannas, serving as a vital base for the conservation and research of tropical plant resources in China.
History and Culture
The botanical garden was founded in 1959 under the leadership of Professor Cai Xitao, a renowned botanist, initially focusing on research of economic plants such as rubber trees. It has gradually developed into a comprehensive park integrating scientific research, science popularization, and tourism. In the early days of its establishment, the research team overcame harsh conditions in the tropical rainforest to introduce and preserve a large number of rare plants, such as national first-class protected species like Parashorea chinensis (Wangtian Tree) and Vatica xishuangbannaensis (Banna Green Plum). Since 1980, the park has been open to the public, becoming one of China's first science education bases.
The garden retains the site of a 1950s scientific research workstation, displaying early researchers' specimen collection tools and laboratory equipment, serving as a physical testament to China's tropical plant research history. Additionally, in collaboration with local Dai villages, it has established a "Plant and Ethnic Culture Exhibition Area," systematically introducing the Dai people's traditional knowledge of using plants for medicine, architecture, and cuisine—such as making palm-leaf scriptures from Corypha umbraculifera and Buddhist banners from Bombax ceiba.
Main Attractions
Victoria Lily Pond
One of the garden's most iconic attractions, the Victoria Lily Pond covers about 2 hectares and cultivates species like Victoria cruziana and Victoria amazonica. The lily pads can reach over 3 meters in diameter, with a maximum load-bearing capacity of approximately 70 kg. The blooming season from August to October sees flowers gradually changing from white to pink, with each bloom lasting only 3 days. A waterside boardwalk allows visitors to closely observe the leaf structure and insect pollination processes.
Tropical Rainforest Ethnic Culture Museum
The museum has a construction area of 3,000 square meters, divided into the Plant Science Hall and Ethnic Culture Hall. The Plant Science Hall displays the evolutionary history of tropical plants and endangered species specimens, with a particularly precious 100+-year-old Caryota urens fossil specimen. The Ethnic Culture Hall exhibits over 800 artifacts related to the production and daily lives of 13 indigenous ethnic groups, including the Dai and Hani, such as bamboo water mills and bark clothing tools.
Elevated Bird-Watching Walkway
Stretching 1.2 kilometers with an elevation of 8–20 meters, the walkway runs through the monsoon forest area in the eastern part of the garden. Equipped with 10 bird-watching pavilions and high-power telescopes, it allows observation of over 40 tropical bird species, such as the Scarlet Minivet and Blue-throated Barbet. During the migratory season from November to April, the "Eagle Watching Platform" at the end of the walkway is the best spot to view raptor migrations.
Exotic Flowers and Rare Plants Garden
Covering 5 hectares, this garden showcases over 300 species of exotic plants, including the dancing plant (Codariocalyx motorius), pitcher plants (Nepenthes), and the corpse flower (Amorphophallus virosus). Among them, the "miracle fruit" (Synsepalum dulcificum) can make sour foods taste sweet for up to an hour, a popular interactive science activity. The garden also has a scent experience zone where visitors can smell natural aromas from plants like lemongrass and citronella.
Food
Pineapple Rice
A signature dish around the garden, Pineapple Rice is made by hollowing out a ripe pineapple and filling it with a mixture of glutinous rice, ham, shrimp, and pineapple dices, steamed for 40 minutes. Each serving weighs about 500 grams and costs 35 yuan, combining the sweet-sour taste of pineapple with the softness of glutinous rice, offering a rich tropical flavor. It is mainly served at the East Gate Food Street.
Lemongrass Grilled Chicken
Local free-range chickens are marinated for 2 hours with over 20 spices including lemongrass, lemon leaves, and bird's eye chili, then grilled over charcoal for 1 hour. Each whole chicken weighs about 1.2 kg and costs 80 yuan, with a crispy skin and tender meat, served with a special Dai tomato nam prik sauce. The garden's "Dai Barbecue Garden" can grill 50 chickens daily, with advance booking recommended.
Paoluda
A traditional Dai cold drink, Paoluda is a mixture of sago, purple rice, coconut shreds, breadcrumbs, and condensed milk, served in a 300 ml cup for 15 yuan. The breadcrumbs become soft and chewy when soaked in coconut milk, often served with ice in summer. It is available at cold drink stalls throughout the garden and is a popular choice for cooling off.
Bamboo Tube Rice
Glutinous rice mixed with chicken and mushrooms is steamed in fresh bamboo tubes (30 cm long, 8 cm diameter), costing 25 yuan per tube. The rice absorbs the fragrance of bamboo and can be tasted at the "Rainforest Kitchen" restaurant in the garden, with a daily limited supply of 100 tubes.
Tickets
Adult ticket: 80 yuan/person; Sightseeing car: 50 yuan/person.
For the latest updates or online booking, search the official WeChat public account "西双版纳热带植物园".
Opening Hours
Open year-round, 08:00–18:00 (last entry at 17:30). Attractions like the Victoria Lily Pond and Exotic Flowers Garden extend opening hours to 18:30 during the rainy season (May–October). Night tours (19:00–21:00) require advance reservation and are only available on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Tour Route
Recommended route: West Gate Entrance → Golf cart to Victoria Lily Pond (15 minutes) → Visit Victoria Lily Pond and surrounding Aquatic Plant Garden (2 hours) → Walk to Tropical Rainforest Ethnic Culture Museum (10 minutes, passing Banyan Garden en route) → Museum tour (1.5 hours) → Golf cart to Elevated Bird-Watching Walkway starting point (20 minutes) → Hike the walkway (2 hours, ending at Eagle Watching Platform) → Golf cart back to main tour area → Exotic Flowers and Rare Plants Garden (1 hour) → Lunch at East Gate Food Street → Afternoon free tour of specialized gardens like Palm Garden and Orchid Garden (2 hours) → Exit from West Gate. Total duration: ~8 hours, walking distance: ~5 km.
Transportation
- Self-driving: From Jinghong City, drive 38 km south along G213 National Highway, then turn onto X310 County Road to Menglun Town (50 minutes total). The garden has 3 large parking lots, with car parking fees at 20 yuan/day.
- Public transport: Direct buses from Jinghong Bus Station run daily from 07:00–18:00 every 30 minutes, costing 15 yuan with a 40-minute ride; the last return bus departs at 18:30.
- Scenic area direct bus: Direct buses operate from popular areas like Gaozhuang Xishuangjing and Sunac Resort, departing 08:00–09:00 daily with round-trip fares at 30 yuan including simple guide services.
Must-See Attractions
- Victoria Lily Pond: The world's largest Victoria lily cultivation area. From August–October, experience the "Victoria lily ride" (weight limit 60 kg, 50 yuan/person), with leaf load-bearing tests at 10:00 and 15:00 daily.
- Elevated Bird-Watching Walkway: Observe over 20 migratory bird species from November–April. Telescope rental: 20 yuan/30 minutes. Best observation time at Eagle Watching Platform: 14:00–16:00.
- Exotic Flowers and Rare Plants Garden: Daily fun plant lectures at 11:00 and 16:00, showcasing Venus flytraps closing and sensitive plants reacting to touch—ideal for families.
Tour Tips
- High mosquito density in the garden—carry DEET-containing mosquito repellent (reapply every 2 hours) and wear long sleeves/pants to avoid bites.
- Narrow sections on the elevated walkway—wear non-slip sneakers. Visitors with acrophobia can choose ground-level trails.
- Rainy season (May–October): Bring a waterproof jacket. 20 rain shelters are available; in heavy rain, seek shelter at the nearest science museum.
- Night tours require a flashlight (rental: 10 yuan/unit). Mainly observe nocturnal animals like tree frogs and katydids—book 3 days in advance on the official website.
- When ordering Dai barbecue, request spiciness adjustment. Bird's eye chili has a Scoville rating of 50,000+ SHU—opt for mild flavor when trying for the first time.
Notes
- Plant picking and wildlife feeding are prohibited. Violators may face fines of 200–500 yuan for incidents like damaging strangler fig aerial roots.
- "No swimming" signs are posted around the Victoria Lily Pond, where water depth reaches 2 meters and alligator turtles inhabit. Multiple cases of visitors falling into the water after climbing railings have occurred.
- The elevated walkway is closed at night; entry is prohibited after 18:00. Stranded visitors have required staff assistance to navigate down.
- Respect local ethnic customs: Dai wells and sacred trees in the garden are sacred sites—no littering or climbing.
- The last golf cart departs at 17:30. Plan your time to avoid missing it, as hiking out takes ~1.5 hours.