Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture

Xishuangbanna Dai is a region of China located in the southwest part of the country. It is located in the Yunnan province and borders Laos and Myanmar. It is the only tropical rainforest reserve in China, and in 1993, it was recognized by UNESCO as a Man and Biosphere Reserve. Its name comes from the Dai language, which is spoken by the local Dai people, and the name means "Twelve Thousand Fields." Xishuangbanna Dai has a population of approximately one million people, with the Dai making up the largest ethnic group and other ethnic groups including Ahka, Lahu, Jinuo, Yi, Yao, and Bulan.

The history of Xishuangbanna Dai can be traced back to ancient times with the present-day Dai people being descendants of the ancient Baiyue ethnic group. In ancient times, the area was called "Mengle" and was under the rule of several different jurisdictions throughout history. During the rule of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, from approximately 420 until 589 AD, the area was ruled by the Tian Dynasty. From approximately 700 AD until 900 AD, Xishuangbanna Dai was under the rule of a local government that operated for the Tang Dynasty. Throughout the next several centuries, the rule of the area was held by military powers.

In February 1950, the area came under the rule of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and on January 23, 1953, Xishuangbanna Dai was officially established. In 1973, the area came under the rule of the Yunnan Provincial Committee through the CPC, and in 1993, the Xishuangbanna Dai prefecture governed one city and two counties.

Manting Park

Xishuangbanna Dai is a region that is rich in history from various cultures. Some sites to see in the area include the following:

• Xishuangbanna Tropical Nature reserve
• Sipsongpanna Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Xishuangbanna Dai Nationality Garden
• Manting Park
• Mengle Dafo Temple
• Monkey Mountain
• Ganlanba Market