Man Ting Imperial Garden is located at No. 35 Manting Road, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, about 2 kilometers from the center of Jinghong City. Covering an area of 400 mu, it is one of the oldest parks in Xishuangbanna, with a history of more than 1,300 years. It was once the royal garden of the Dai kings and integrates Dai royal history, Buddhist culture, ethnic customs, and tropical garden landscapes. It is a national 4A-level scenic area. The scenic area contains more than 500 well-preserved ancient Siamese senna trees and vegetation, and its architectural style is unique. It includes more than 30 historical sites such as pagodas, Buddhist temples, pavilions, and towers, forming a distinctive landscape that blends nature and culture.
History and Culture
The history of Man Ting Imperial Garden can be traced back to the period of Dai King Payazhen, more than 1,300 years ago. It was once the royal garden of the Dai kings. Its Dai name is "Chunhuan," meaning "Garden of the Soul." Legend has it that when the Dai princess came here to play, she was so captivated by the beautiful scenery that even her soul was unwilling to leave.
Man Ting Buddhist Temple in the scenic area is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Xishuangbanna, with a history of more than 1,400 years. It preserves a large number of Buddhist artifacts and murals, reflecting the development of Dai Buddhist culture. In addition, the scenic area was once the venue for the Water-Splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna that Premier Zhou Enlai attended in 1961. To this day, it still preserves the commemorative bronze statue of the Premier splashing water, which has become a symbol of China-Myanmar friendship.
Main Attractions
Man Ting Buddhist Temple
With a history of more than 1,400 years, it is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Xishuangbanna. The temple contains buildings such as the Main Hall, the Ordination Hall, and pagodas, and preserves a large number of Buddhist artifacts and murals. The murals mainly depict Buddhist stories and Dai folk legends and have high artistic value.
Premier Zhou Water-Splashing Commemorative Bronze Statue
Built in 1991, it is 4.5 meters high and weighs 4.2 tons. It was built to commemorate the Water-Splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna that Premier Zhou Enlai attended in 1961. The bronze statue is dressed in Dai clothing and holds a silver basin, splashing water together with the Dai people, demonstrating the Premier's deep affection with the people of all ethnic groups.
Former Site of the Imperial Garden
It was once a place for the Dai king and his family to play and rest. The garden contains various tropical plants and flowers, and its architectural style is elegant. It preserves the original appearance of the Dai king's imperial garden and is an important attraction for experiencing Dai royal life.
Life Release Lake
It covers an area of about 10 mu. The lake contains many carp and turtles. Tourists can release living creatures here and experience the Dai culture of releasing life. There are pavilions and towers by the lake, and the environment is beautiful, making it a good place for photos.
Bonfire Party Venue
A large bonfire party is held every night and can accommodate more than 2,000 people at the same time. The party includes ethnic song and dance performances, interactive games, bonfire revelry, and other activities, allowing tourists to experience the passion and joy of the Dai people.
Recommended Tour Route：
Recommended tour route: Scenic Area Entrance → Premier Zhou Water-Splashing Commemorative Bronze Statue → Man Ting Buddhist Temple → Former Site of the Imperial Garden → Life Release Lake → Elephant Performance Ground (watch the performance at 15:30) → Ethnic Song and Dance Performance Ground (watch the performance at 14:30 or 16:30) → Snack Street to taste food → Bonfire Party Venue (join the party at 18:50). This route covers the main attractions and performances in the scenic area and allows tourists to fully understand the history, culture, and ethnic customs of Man Ting Imperial Garden. The entire tour takes about 4-5 hours.
Tour Suggestions：
It is recommended to visit in the afternoon: first visit the attractions, then watch the elephant and ethnic song and dance performances, and join the bonfire party in the evening. Arrange your time reasonably.
Wear light and comfortable clothes and shoes to facilitate walking and participating in activities. You can also rent Dai clothing for photos, at a cost of about 30 yuan per set.
Book tickets for the bonfire party in advance to avoid them being sold out. The party includes dinner, where you can taste a variety of Dai dishes.
Bring a camera and mobile phone to take pictures of the beautiful scenery and wonderful performances. There are multiple photo spots in the scenic area, such as the Premier Zhou bronze statue and Man Ting Buddhist Temple.
Notes：
When entering a Buddhist temple, take off your shoes and dress appropriately. Do not wear shorts, short skirts, or off-the-shoulder clothing. Respect Buddhist culture and customs.
When participating in the bonfire party, follow the arrangements of the staff and do not run around at will. Pay attention to safety, especially tourists with children, who should take good care of them.
You can release living creatures in the Life Release Lake in the scenic area, but use the living creatures provided by the scenic area and do not bring your own, so as not to damage the ecological environment.
When tasting Dai food, pay attention to food hygiene and avoid overeating to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort.
Transportation：
Bus: Take Jinghong City Bus No. 3 and get off at Man Ting Park Station, then walk about 500 meters to reach the scenic area.
Taxi: Taking a taxi from the center of Jinghong City to Man Ting Imperial Garden costs about 10 yuan, and the ride takes about 5 minutes.
Electric vehicle: You can rent an electric vehicle in Jinghong city to go there. The rental fee is about 50 yuan per day, and the ride takes about 10 minutes. There is an electric vehicle parking area at the entrance of the scenic area.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open from 8:00 to 17:30, and the bonfire party is from 18:50 to 22:00. There are ethnic song and dance performances every day at 14:30 and 16:30, and an elephant performance at 15:30. Tourists can arrange to watch them according to the time. Subject to the announcement of the scenic area.
Tickets：
Tickets are 40 yuan per person.