It was quite a challenge—it took me half a year to finally catch up on last year’s blog posts…
These two attractions are right next to each other. Manting Park is the oldest park in Xishuangbanna, located in the triangular area where the Lancang River and Liusha River converge. Formerly the royal garden of the Dai King, it boasts a history of over 1,300 years. The scenic area prominently features three main themes: “Dai Royal Culture, Buddhist Culture, and Dai Folk Culture.”
Overall, it is a park full of exotic charm. By day, it serves as a public park; by night, it hosts the “Lancang-Mekong Night” cultural performance, which includes a buffet dinner, a stage show, and a bonfire party.
Exiting through another gate of the park leads you directly to Zongfo Temple, the highest-ranking Theravada Buddhist temple in Xishuangbanna. It was completely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and rebuilt after the Reform and Opening-up policy. The interior is resplendent with gold and exquisitely decorated, and many peacocks roam the courtyard. Unfortunately, the Mahavira Hall was not open to the public on the day of my visit.
Basically, these two sites are must-visit attractions in Xishuangbanna. There is little commercialization inside, and they don’t require much time to explore—you can easily see everything in just under two hours.
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