In Xishuangbanna, the traditional markets in towns are called “Gan Bai” (赶摆). The main market day is on Sundays, with other days being less formal but still lively as part of local daily life. Markets close to Jinghong (景洪) include Gasa Town (嘎洒镇), Menglong Town (勐龙镇), and Menghan Town (勐罕镇). Near Menghai (勐海), there are markets in Menghai Town (勐海镇), Mengzhe Town (勐遮镇), and Menghun Town (勐混镇).

Xishuangbanna Town Market Guide

1. Market Days

Markets are usually held on Saturdays or Sundays. While some are active on other days, Sundays typically host more formal market activities. On other days, the markets reflect the local way of life.

2. Market Locations

• Near Jinghong (景洪):
  • Gasa Town (嘎洒镇)
  • Menglong Town (勐龙镇)
  • Menghan Town (勐罕镇)
• Near Menghai (勐海):
  • Menghai Town (勐海镇)
  • Mengzhe Town (勐遮镇)
  • Menghun Town (勐混镇)

3. Helpful Tips

If you want to participate in the market events, feel free to ask locals for guidance. They are usually happy to help. Remember to respect local customs, keep the environment clean, and enjoy the vibrant market atmosphere!

NO. 1 Menghun Town – Menghai County (勐混镇 – 勐海县)

Menghun is located near the China-Myanmar border.
Market Day: Every Saturday
Transportation: You can take a bus from Jinghong to Menghai and then transfer to a local bus to Menghun Town.
The market is busiest in the morning, and many vendors may leave by afternoon once they sell out.

Menghun’s market stretches along the main street for over 1 kilometer. When I visited, I didn’t even manage to walk the entire length.

I was accompanied by two local Hani friends, and I spent most of the time asking, “What is this?”

For example, I encountered a fruit that I initially thought was a chili pepper. My Hani friend explained that it was a type of fruit, but she could only tell me its name in the Hani language.

It was pickled, and I bought one to try for 1 yuan. The vendor also gave me a packet of chili powder. My first bite was strange, but by the second bite, it was slightly sour, similar to many pickled fruits in Yunnan.

Another unique fruit looked like a small watermelon with green stripes. It turned out to be a tamarillo, which usually ripens to an orange-yellow color. There were many unfamiliar items like this, and my friend struggled to explain everything in Mandarin.

Other items at the market included:

• Wild Bananas: 2 yuan per jin. These bananas have a stronger aroma than regular ones.
• Bamboo Rice: A local Dai delicacy, served in long bamboo tubes.

Some items, like certain vegetables and fruits, were beyond my knowledge. I felt a bit like a fool not knowing what many of them were.

One sight that caught my attention was a few ducks in baskets. They looked amusing, but also a little sad.

NO. 2 Gelanghe Township – Menghai County (格朗合乡 – 勐海县)

Gelanghe is also near the China-Myanmar border.
Market Day: Every Monday
Transportation: You can take a bus from Jinghong to Menghai, then transfer to a bus to Gelanghe. The number of buses to Gelanghe is limited, so plan ahead. If you’re driving, that’s even better.

Since both towns are in Menghai County, you can plan to visit both Gelanghe and Menghun in one trip.

The market in Gelanghe isn’t as big as Menghun’s and isn’t concentrated on one main road. There are vendors spread out in small alleyways as well.

Gelanghe has a large Hani population, so you’ll see many traditional Hani outfits for sale. One thing I particularly liked were the small decorative balls on the clothing.

• Hani Clothes: Some pieces, like handmade Hani bags and earrings, were beautiful but priced higher than expected—70 yuan for a small decorative ball. While the craftsmanship is worth the price, I had to resist the urge to buy due to my limited budget.

NO. 3 Daluo Township – Jinghong City (大勐龙 – 景洪市)

Market Day: Every Saturday
Transportation: Take a bus from Jinghong to Daluo Town. There are many buses, and tickets cost around 10 to 20 yuan.

Daluo Town is one of the largest and most populated towns near the China-Myanmar border. Despite heading out on a Saturday afternoon and missing the main market activity, the next day the market was still bustling, with vendors selling many goods, especially wildlife.

Among the wildlife, I saw bamboo rats, which were quite a sight.

When in Daluo, don’t miss visiting the Manfeilong White Pagoda (曼飞龙白塔) and the traditional stilt houses in the village.

NO. 4 Dongfeng Market – Jinghong City (东风集贸市场 – 景洪市)

This market is located between Daluo and Jinghong. On the way back, I stopped here to explore.

I found a beautiful piece of handmade fabric and had my first Dai skirt made from it.

NO. 5 Mandiu Village – Gasa Town (曼丢村 – 嘎洒镇)

Mandiu is in the suburbs of Jinghong, near the airport. You can take a bus to get there.

Mandiu is a morning market, which I only discovered after I arrived—meaning I missed it. The market is small, so if you plan to visit, go early in the morning.

The village itself has been beautified and preserved, making it a scenic Dai village worth visiting. Some TV shows have been filmed here.

Mengman Town, Manlie Village (勐满镇 曼烈村)

An “International Lao Market” event is held at Manlie Village, attracting both Chinese and Laotian vendors. You can find local specialties like “Stinky Rice Noodles”, Dai-style roasted chicken, and Laotian snacks such as Laotian sour meat and bamboo weaving tools.

A variety of unique crafts, agricultural products, and Southeast Asian-style snacks are available, offering an exciting shopping experience.

Upcoming Market Events in Menghai County

• May 12, 2024: The third “Border Dew Festival” market will be held in Longli Village (龙利村) in Daluo Township. The event will feature local specialties from China and Myanmar, traditional performances, and plenty of delicious food and drinks to enjoy.
• May 14, 2024: The first Red Peach Festival in Bangang Village (蚌冈村), Mengsong Township (勐宋乡), will open to the public. There will be cultural performances, fun contests like a peach-eating competition, and delicious red peaches for everyone to enjoy.

That’s the end of this guide. There are still many more markets in the area, like in Jinuo Township (基诺乡), but I haven’t explored them yet. I’ll share more after my next trip to Xishuangbanna!