I only visited two places in Xishuangbanna (Part 2)

Continuing from the previous part, here’s the reveal of the second place: Mengyuan Wonderland Rainforest Trek! If you want to have fun in Xishuangbanna, how can you miss the rainforest? Before going, I did some research on the rainforest options in Banna and had to choose between Jino Rainforest and Mengyuan Wonderland. On one hand, fellow travelers said Mengyuan has fewer people and a more developed scenic area. On the other hand, since I had already been to the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden on a previous trip, and Mengyuan is about 30 kilometers in the same direction as the botanical garden, it was more convenient to choose Mengyuan Wonderland. Later, the guide at the botanical garden also said that the guides at Mengyuan Wonderland are more professional. Plus, I stayed at the Green Baolin Hotel in Mengyuan, which was a great experience, so I was very satisfied and happy throughout the trip. For detailed accommodation tips, you can check my previous lodging notes. Mengyuan Wonderland Scenic Area Tips: 1. The tropical rainforest is amazing, with all kinds of plants and animals dazzling you under the guide’s lead. Being there makes you fall in love with nature and respect it deeply. Definitely worth it! 2. For rainforest trekking, you must wear long pants and long sleeves, preferably quick-dry. Knee-high rain boots are also necessary since you’ll be wading through water. Although you might still get wet, the original rainforest has insects, snakes, and poisonous plants that are unavoidable (for example, the hemp plant looks ordinary but if scratched, it will hurt for 3 days with no special medicine). Proper protection is a must. 3. We went in late October, and surprisingly, there was no one in the scenic area. It was just the two of us plus the guide, so we had the whole rainforest to ourselves. We swung freely on the single-arm swings and vine swings. Maybe because there were few people, the guide was especially patient and even took us on a longer route. The whole trek was about 6-7 kilometers and took over 3 hours, and we had a blast. (The guide arranges different route lengths based on visitors’ age, stamina, and preferences.) 4. You must try the rainforest feast. Eating in the rainforest is a unique experience, and the food tastes really good! The portions are large and there are many varieties. 5. Brave people enjoy the world first. Those with claustrophobia or fear of heights should skip the cave and underground exploration and cliffside café, but I still recommend Mengyuan for the rainforest. My family went to the caves, which took about 2 hours. They said you can see bats, cave fish, stalactites, and more. They mentioned that caves A, B, and C are large and spacious, while cave D is narrow and requires squeezing through.