Introduction

Located in Yunnan Province in the southwestern part of China, Xishuangbanna is famous for its mysterious tropical rainforests, wild animals and minority customs.

As the only tropical rainforest nature reserve in China, Xishuangbanna is ideal for nurturing wonderful plants and unusual wildlife. For many years, Xishuangbanna's fame as a natural paradise was as well known as that of the Amazon.

Dai minority people have lived on this land for generations. The distinctive natural environment here has created unusual customs and traditions.

Even today, Dai houses can be seen all over the region. These distinctive bamboo structures are raised on stilts to deter floods and dangerous animals, and they are constructed to allow many people (and often, their animals, too!) to inhabit one house safely.

Hunting is still the main source of income in conjunction with farming. The dress of the Dai people is colourful, with many furs, and dancing and singing are popular ways to pass the time.

Buddhism is the predominant religion here. Temples and pagodas in the Southeast Asian style are dotted about the countryside and towns, and monks, especially young male trainee boys, are a common sight. They can often be recognized by their traditional orange robes, riding motorbikes to the temple.

The Place Where the Ancient Tea Horse Road Starts

Click to See the Map of Ancient Tea Horse Road in Xishuangbanna

One branch of the Ancient Tea Horse Road in Yunnan starts from Xishuangbanna, Xishuangbanna has a long history of tea producing and has had the reputation of "the homeland of Pu'er tea" since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, when the tea was sent to the capital annually as tribute.