Upon arrival in JINGHONG, capital of Xishuangbanna, you will be welcomed by our Asia Senses local guide and transferred to the Sanchahe Nature Reserve. The reserve covers 1.5 million hectares featuring the amazing Wild Elephant Valley. It also provides a habitat for 359 species of terrestrial vertebrates, 118 species of amphibians, 439 species of birds and more than 60 species of snakes.

Embark on a breathtaking cable-car ride over two kilometers of forest in the park to enjoy rainforest view “from the air”. For those who would prefer to walk, a raised walkway is available as opposed to the cable car ride. Keep watch for peacocks, wild oxen, or even monkeys! Afterwards, we head to Jinghong then pay a visit to the 15th century Mange Buddhist Temple, one of the best examples of Dai architecture.

In the evening, enjoy a memorable “Dai Barbecue” dinner (featuring passion fruit juice, purple rice with pineapple, meat skewers wrapped in banyan leaves, and more) on the lively Menghun road.

Overnight at hotel in Jinghong.

In the morning, drive in a valley across vast rubber plantation to DONGFENG, a small town inhabitted by mostly Han immigrants from inland of China in 1960s. Upon arrival, we will take a visit to Dongfeng’s daily market where which offers a colourful display of fruit, vegetables, flowers, fish and textiles. Walk through the market area to immerse into local’s daily life.

Journey onwards towards Xiaojie, where members of the Lahu and Bulang ethnic groups call home. The Lahu men generally wear black turbans (predominant color) and the women dress according to the ethnic family to which they belong (black Lahu, yellow Lahu, white Lahu, etc.). Some older women still shave their heads, a traditional sign of feminine beauty. Nearby, the Bulang ethnic people are culturally very close to the Dai (the majority are Buddhist), and now number less than 100,000. The women wear black turbans and silver jewelry, often in the design of fish or crustaceans. Some of the older people have tattooed stomachs and torsos, as per custom. The women usually chew on betel to dye their teeth black for its aesthetic appeal.

After that, head to the Damenglong Village, located 70 kilometers (43 miles) away from Jinghong City. Visit Manfeilong Pagoda, set in beautiful jungle surroundings. The pagoda was built in the year 1024 and is a famed stupa complex in Xishuangbanna. The pagoda is on top of a hill, taking around twenty minutes to reach on foot.

We then visit the Black Pagoda which is 3.5 kilometers to the south of Manfeilong Pagoda. It was built as a place for the worship of the right footprint of Sakyamuni. This pagoda was originally black but following several refurbishments is now a silvery white in color. Return transfer to Jinghong.

OPTIONAL: There is a chance to enjoy a relaxing massage (one hour) at the school of blind masseurs. For centuries, blind people in China have been specialists in therapeutic massage, and it is known that their sense of touch is more developed than their sighted colleagues.

Overnight at hotel in Jinghong.

This morning, drive to visit a village of Jinuo minority. With only around 20,000 members, it’s one of China’s rarest minorities and last officially recognized ethnic group listed by the Chinese government. The Jinuo used to be organized in matrilineal clans, and still consider today the maternal uncle (and not the father) to be the most important person in the family who is consulted on all major decisions.

Then drive onto MENGLUN for a final visit to the renowned Tropical Botanical Garden, the largest of its kind in China. The garden is the largest tropical botanical garden in China which was established in 1950s by Chinese famous botanists Pro. Cai Xitao. It boasts more than 3000 species of tropical plants covering an area of 900 hectares, quite a few of which are rare elsewhere, forming a colorful botanical landscape.

After lunch, you will be transferred back Jinhong Airport to catch flight for your onwards destination.