Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG)

中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园

China's largest and most species-rich botanical garden, on the Mengla Peninsula encircled by the Luosuo River, with 13,000 plant species including giant water lilies, dancing grass and strangler figs. It is the Xishuangbanna destination most worth a full day.

The garden is located in Mengla Town, Mengla County, about 70 km from Jinghong. Founded in 1959 by Cai Xitao, it covers about 1,125 hectares and holds more than 13,000 plant species. It is a research-oriented garden under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a national 5A-rated scenic area. The grounds are divided into a West Zone and an East Zone. The West Zone (about 2 hours) is the highlight, with the Giant Water Lily Garden (its huge leaves can support tens of jin in weight, and the display is most impressive from July to October), the Garden of Exotic Plants (dancing grass, mimosa and miracle berries), the Palm Garden, the Hundred Flowers Garden, the Garden of Famous Persons and Trees, and the Banyan Garden (strangler figs and single-tree forests). The East Zone is primeval tropical rainforest and the Green Stone Forest (about 2-3 hours), with rainforest trails, buttress roots, giant lianas and limestone 'green stone forest' landscapes. It is quiet and reached by the garden's electric shuttle. Admission is about 80 yuan (including the West Zone), an electric shuttle tour costs about 50-100 yuan, and the East Zone requires an additional shuttle fee. The night tour (about 120 yuan, for fireflies and nocturnal animals) is very popular in peak season, so book in advance. Suggested visit: at least half a day to a full day. You can also stay at the Water Lily Hotel inside the garden or in Mengla Town, and return the next morning when it is less crowded. Getting there: buses run from Jinghong Bus Station to Mengla (about 1.5 hours, around 30 yuan); a private car or shared ride takes about 1.5 hours. The China-Laos Railway has no station at Mengla; the nearest are Mengla Station and Wild Elephant Valley Station, which are inconvenient. Notes: the garden is very large, so take the electric shuttle and plan your route carefully. Bring mosquito repellent, a sun hat and water. Trails are slippery in the rainy season. The garden and Wangtianshu (Sky-Gazing Tree) Forest can be combined into a one-day Mengla trip, about 100 km apart.

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG)

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