Jinghong, Ganlanba & Pu'er in Depth
Stay in Gaozhuang and a Dai homestay in Ganlanba, explore the botanical garden, Dai villages and temples, then take the China–Laos Railway to Pu'er for a day trip.
A slower pace: the botanical garden can be saved for an evening visit. Spend that night in a Dai homestay in Ganlanba, watch village life the next morning, then visit Mengle Great Buddha Temple. On Day 4, take the high-speed train to Pu'er to see the national park and the Tea Expo Garden. On the final day, learn about Dai culture at the Ethnic Museum and Zongfo Temple. Suited to unhurried couples and repeat visitors. Wild Elephant Valley can replace the Pu'er day.
Ganlanba accommodation fills up quickly around the Water Splashing Festival. Night tickets for the botanical garden must be bought a day in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Gaozhuang for riverside night views
Xishuangbanna（Gaozhuang Xishuangjing & Starlight Night Market、Xishuangbanna Bridge over the Lancang (Mekong)）
Taxi from the airport to Gaozhuang, about 20 minutes. In the evening, stroll the night market, then walk along the Lancang River to the bridge for the night view.
Stay: Gaozhuang Xishuangjing
Day 2 · Slow tour of Menglun Botanical Garden
Xishuangbanna（Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG)）
Charter a car east to Menglun in the morning, about 1.5 hours. Spend the whole day in the garden, then return to Ganlanba in the evening, about 1 hour.
Trails are slippery in the rainy season, and some boardwalks close temporarily during heavy rain.
Stay: Ganlanba (Manting)
Day 3 · Dai Garden village & Mengle Great Buddha Temple
Xishuangbanna（Dai Ethnic Garden (Ganlanba)、Mengle Great Buddhist Temple）
Explore the Dai Ethnic Garden in Ganlanba in the morning. Return to Jinghong, about 40 minutes, in the afternoon, then visit Mengle Great Buddha Temple for sunset.
The Dai Ethnic Garden offers water-splashing experiences every day, so bring a change of clothes.
Stay: Gaozhuang Xishuangjing
Day 4 · Day trip to Pu'er on the China–Laos Railway
Pu'er City Area（Pu'er National Park (Taiyanghe Forest Park)、China Pu'er Tea Expo Garden）
Take the high-speed train from Xishuangbanna Station to Pu'er Station, about 1 hour. Transfer to the national park and the Tea Expo Garden, then return by high-speed train in the evening.
High-speed train tickets are tight on holidays, so buy round-trip tickets in advance.
Stay: Gaozhuang Xishuangjing
Day 5 · Ethnic Museum & Zongfo Temple
Xishuangbanna（Xishuangbanna Ethnic Museum、Manting Park、Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple (Wat Pa Jay)）
Take a taxi in the morning to the museum, Manting Park and Zongfo Temple. Each stop is about 10 minutes apart by car. Head to the airport in the afternoon.
The museum is usually closed on Mondays, so check in advance.