Menglun

Menglun is a town in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southern Yunnan Province, China. It lies in a tropical lowland area that forms part of the region’s biodiversity-rich landscape and serves as a gateway for visitors exploring the Dai cultural heritage and tropical ecology of Xishuangbanna.

The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is located in Menglun. As one of China’s leading tropical botanic gardens, XTBG focuses on plant diversity, conservation, and ecological research. It hosts a wide range of tropical flora and serves as a center for scientific study, environmental education, and ecotourism, attracting researchers and visitors from around the world.

The area around Menglun is traditionally inhabited by Dai communities, along with other ethnic groups such as Hani and Han. The local economy combines agriculture, tourism, and research activities connected to XTBG and related conservation initiatives. The town’s climate is hot and humid for much of the year, with a pronounced rainy season, creating conditions that support rich tropical biodiversity and various protected areas in the broader Xishuangbanna region.

Transport-links connect Menglun with Jinghong, the prefectural capital, and with other towns in Xishuangbanna. Visitors commonly travel through Jinghong to reach XTBG and the surrounding natural and cultural attractions, making Menglun a notable stop for those exploring southern Yunnan’s tropical environment.