Second trip to Xishuangbanna! Not tiring at all!

The kid said it was more fun than Disneyland. Just returned from Xishuangbanna with the kid, and I have to share some honest thoughts! 📢 There are so many misleading tips online... 🚗 About transportation There’s no subway in Xishuangbanna, so I recommend using ride-hailing apps for transparent pricing. It’s less likely to get scammed compared to hailing a cab on the street. ☀️ About clothing During winter, daytime temperatures can reach over 20°C, so there’s no need for heavy down jackets! A few light jackets and short sleeves are enough. Just add a layer in the early morning and evening. 🍍 About fruits The fruits at Jinghong Farmers’ Market aren’t as cheap as rumored—just regular prices. Let your kid try some unique local fruits, but there’s no need to buy the common ones. 🌶️ About food and drinks Local cuisine tends to be sour and spicy, so prepare some medicine if you have a sensitive stomach. Bamboo rice and pineapple rice are delicious but hard to digest, so even if your kid loves them, control the portions. 🎫 About tickets Most attraction tickets can be purchased on-site, no need to book in advance. But don’t fall for those “50 yuan for car and tickets” deals—they’re full of hidden charges! 🐘 About Wild Elephant Valley Ordinary visitors can only watch elephants from a distance. If you want to feed them carrots or bathe them up close, make sure to book the “Rainforest Elephant Experience” in advance—it’s a completely different experience! 🌿 About rainforest trekking If trekking with kids, hire a reliable guide! Avoid overly challenging routes, and it’s not recommended for very young children. We joined a family-friendly group that arranged light trekking suitable for kids, with a guide explaining plants and animals along the way. The kids had fun and learned a lot. 🏨 About accommodation Staying in the city center or Gaozhuang is convenient, but Gaozhuang can be noisy with many tourists. If traveling with kids, choose a quieter hotel for better rest. 💡 Final thoughts It’s easy to make mistakes on your first trip to Xishuangbanna with kids... This time, we joined a family tour package, staying 4 nights at the InterContinental and 1 night at the Little Panda Manor. Tickets, transportation, and activities were all included, and it turned out to be more cost-effective than booking everything ourselves. Most importantly, it was stress-free! 🐾 Kid’s favorite experiences: ▪️ Wild Elephant Valley VIP Interaction With the group, we used the VIP lane and didn’t have to queue to interact closely with baby elephants! Feeding and bathing them, the kid was thrilled to play “elephant mom” for a day. ▪️ Jinuo Mountain Rainforest Trekking Perfect for kids aged 4 and above! The guide led us through the rainforest, introducing fascinating plants. The kid remembered dragon’s blood trees, towering trees, and more—it was like a lively nature class. ▪️ Little Panda Manor A paradise for animal lovers! The red pandas were super cute, and you could gently pet them. You could also feed deer and watch monkey groups. Both adults and kids didn’t want to leave. ▪️ Man Yuan Village Dai Life A very authentic village where we made elephant foot drums, learned weaving, danced Dai-style, and enjoyed local roasted chicken. The slow-paced atmosphere was incredibly soothing. 🚗 Our 6-day itinerary for reference: D1: Xishuangbanna - InterContinental Hotel D2: Wild Elephant Valley - Little Panda Manor D3: Little Panda Manor - Starlight Night Market D4: Man Yuan Village D5: Jinuo Mountain Rainforest Trekking D6: Return trip