Xishuangbannas

Xishuangbanna, also known as Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and in Dai as Sipsong Panna, is a prefecture-level region in southern Yunnan Province, China. It lies in the Lancang River basin, borders Laos to the south and Myanmar to the west, and is part of the broader tropical Southeast Asian climate and biodiversity corridor. The prefecture’s capital is Jinghong, and the area encompasses several counties and the county-level city that together form a tropical, mountainous, and riverine landscape.

The region is home to a diverse population dominated by the Dai people, with significant communities of Hani, Yi, Yao, Han, and other groups. The Dai cultural influence is evident in architecture, markets, and traditional festivals such as the Water Splashing Festival. The economy blends agriculture, cross-border trade, and tourism. Rubber plantations, tropical fruits, and tea are important agricultural products, supported by growing eco-tourism and conservation-oriented activities.

Xishuangbanna is recognized for its high biodiversity and tropical rainforest ecosystems. It contains protected areas and research sites, including the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve and the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The landscape features humid lowland forests, hills, and river valleys that sustain a wide range of flora and fauna, including several rare and endangered species. Conservation, sustainable tourism, and cross-border collaboration with neighboring countries are ongoing priorities in the region.