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Education Base of The Mystical Xishuangbanna Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden

21/12/2024•jone jams•8652 words•About 29 minutes

The Mystical Xishuangbanna Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden: A Tropical Paradise and the Secret to Plant Survival

Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), located in the southern part of Yunnan Province, China, is home to the only large-scale tropical rainforest in the country. It is a haven for tropical flora and fauna, with evergreen forests, vibrant flowers, and a unique cultural landscape that sets it apart from other regions. Xishuangbanna is also a popular destination for artists, especially from the north, who come to sketch and gather inspiration during the dry season from November to April, when temperatures hover around 20°C, making it an ideal time for artistic exploration.

Xishuangbanna Scenery

Traveling from Kunming to Jinghong by bus, one is greeted by towering bamboo groves and dense forests, with scattered minority villages and lush greenery. The constantly changing landscape offers a refreshing feeling, as though you’re stepping into a new world with each turn. The weather along the route is equally dynamic—heavy rain, drifting clouds, thick mist, and bright sunshine all occur in quick succession, creating a constantly shifting atmosphere. After a 10-hour journey, travelers arrive at Jinghong, and from there, a one-hour drive takes them to Menglun (勐仑).

The Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences Tropical Botanical Garden

The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, located in Menglun Township of Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, is surrounded by the Luosuo River (罗梭江) and nestled on a beautiful, gourd-shaped peninsula. Established in 1959, it is the largest botanical garden in China, covering an area of 1,100 hectares and housing more than 13,000 species of tropical plants from around the world. The garden is renowned for its vast, well-preserved tropical rainforest in the eastern part of the island, which serves as an excellent location for artistic studies and nature exploration.

Every year, around December, the garden attracts numerous artists who come to capture the magic of the tropical rainforest’s plant and animal life, creating a significant cultural influence both domestically and internationally.

Luosuo River (罗梭江)

The Luosuo River surrounds the tropical botanical garden and adds to the area’s enchanting scenery. The crystal-clear waters and lush vegetation make it an ideal location for environmental and ecological studies.

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden Views

The garden is famous for its diverse plant species and stunning landscapes, offering visitors a glimpse into the secrets of tropical rainforests. Its various ecosystems are an important research resource for botanists and environmentalists from around the world.

Missile Palm at the Botanical Garden

One of the highlights of the garden is the missile palm, a plant that thrives in the lush tropical climate of Xishuangbanna. Its unique appearance is a visual treat for visitors and a subject of interest for researchers and artists alike.

Menglun Town

Although Menglun is a small town, the presence of the botanical garden has led to the development of numerous hotels, ensuring no shortage of accommodations. However, due to the high volume of visitors, some local businesses may engage in questionable pricing practices, offering tourists one price and locals another, sometimes with drastic price differences. Moreover, bargaining is typically not allowed outside of designated shopping areas, which can be frustrating.

Life in the town is relaxed and leisurely, with locals often treating business transactions as casual affairs. A popular drink among visitors is passion fruit juice, though it can be hard to find consistently, as shop owners may close without notice, unlike the more structured business practices in northern regions.

Local Dining and Farm Stays

Dining at local farm stays is another interesting experience in Xishuangbanna. Many establishments serve meals in courses, where the first table’s dishes are served in full before the second table is served. If you arrive late and there are many people ahead of you, you may have to wait for one to two hours for your meal. Additionally, meals are often served in the order written on the menu, which is a stark contrast to the practice of serving cold dishes first, followed by other courses, as seen in other regions.

Menglun’s Weather

The weather in Menglun is generally misty and damp in the mornings, with heavy rainfall occurring between 8:30 and 9:00 am. By around 11:00 am, the clouds dissipate, and the sun becomes intensely hot. In the afternoon, the weather becomes oppressively humid, and one can sweat profusely even under the shade of trees. This weather phenomenon is captured in the local saying: “Four seasons’ clothes are always worn, rain in the east and sun in the west.”

For artists sketching, understanding the weather patterns is crucial. Flowers that don’t have tree cover should ideally be painted before 11:00 am, as the intense midday sun can be unbearable and cause discomfort for the eyes. However, shade brings its own challenges, primarily mosquitoes. The local saying "Three mosquitoes equal one dish" refers to the incredibly irritating mosquitoes, some of which are large and capable of piercing through thick clothing.

Mosquitoes and Wildlife in Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna is also home to a variety of dangerous animals, including venomous snakes. To prevent snake bites, locals suggest carrying powdered realgar mixed with dried ginger in a cloth bag. This scent deters snakes, keeping them at bay. Additionally, lighting mosquito incense is advised, as the region’s venomous mosquitoes are notorious for being relentless.

Tropical animals living in Xishuangbanna’s rainforests often depend on plants for survival, and many of these plants have developed toxic defenses to protect themselves from being eaten. Visitors are advised not to touch certain plants, especially those with sharp thorns or furry surfaces, as they could cause allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. The infamous "blood-curdling tree" (见血封喉树) is a particularly dangerous species. Its sap can cause paralysis, blood clotting, and suffocation if it comes into contact with open wounds.

The "Blood-Curdling Tree" (箭毒木)

The "blood-curdling tree" is one of the most poisonous trees in the world. Its sap, found in the trunk, branches, and leaves, is highly toxic. Even a small amount can cause rapid heart failure and death. Local legend states that animals shot with arrows tipped in this sap can only manage a few steps before dying.

The Life-Saving "Bend Hand Vine" (扁担藤)

On a more positive note, the "bend hand vine" is a life-saving resource in the rainforest. Its thick vine contains water, which can be drunk in times of dehydration, providing fresh, sweet water that can save lives when other sources are unsafe to drink.

Tropical Rainforest as the “Lungs of the Earth”

Tropical rainforests are often called the "lungs of the Earth" because of their ability to rapidly absorb and fix atmospheric carbon dioxide. This makes them the most powerful ecosystems for carbon fixation on the planet. The biodiversity in tropical rainforests is extreme, with numerous species of plants and animals competing for sunlight, space, and nutrients. It is a vivid demonstration of the survival of the fittest and the law of natural selection.

The Unique Climate of Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna's rainforest is a geographical anomaly. Located at the northernmost reach of the tropics, its latitude is higher than most tropical regions, and yet, it is a thriving oasis. The area's unique climate is shaped by the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (青藏高原) and the Hengduan Mountains (横断山脉) to the north, which block cold northern air, allowing for the creation of a unique tropical ecosystem. Xishuangbanna’s average annual temperature is only 20.7°C, and the region receives an average of 1,336.8 mm of rainfall each year, which is considerably less than the 2,000 mm typical for tropical rainforests. Despite these limiting factors, Xishuangbanna’s tropical rainforest endures, largely due to the region’s frequent fogs.

Xishuangbanna's Fog

The fog in Xishuangbanna, occurring up to 100-200 days a year, is a characteristic feature of the region’s climate. It typically forms at night and dissipates by mid-morning. This prolonged fog helps maintain the humidity levels necessary for the survival of the tropical plants and acts as a protective barrier against temperature fluctuations.

The "Tropical Rainforest Miracle"

Due to its unique geography and climate, the tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna represents an ecological miracle. However, this fragile ecosystem is under threat from human activities, particularly the cultivation of rubber trees, which has led to widespread deforestation. In addition to the destruction caused by logging and agriculture, the use of pesticides to protect rubber plantations further harms the delicate balance of this ecosystem.

The Skyward-Soaring "Looking at the Sky Trees" (望天树)

The “Looking at the Sky Tree” (望天树), a species of the Dipterocarpaceae family, was discovered in Mengla County in 1974. Standing at an impressive 70-80 meters, it is the tallest tree in Asia and among the tallest in the world. The discovery of this tree changed the perception that China had no tropical rainforests and is a symbol of the rich biodiversity that Xishuangbanna harbors.

The Layers of the Tropical Rainforest

Xishuangbanna’s rainforest is a multi-layered ecosystem, with the tallest trees reaching heights of 60-70 meters. The canopy is home to towering trees such as the “Looking at the Sky Tree,” while the understory consists of smaller trees, shrubs, and ferns. This stratified structure allows for a great diversity of plant species and provides habitats for a wide range of animal species.

The region’s diverse and vibrant landscape, as well as its rich cultural heritage, make it a must-see destination for travelers interested in nature, art, and adventure. Whether you are exploring the botanical garden, sketching in the rainforest, or simply immersing yourself in the beauty of the tropical paradise, Xishuangbanna is an extraordinary journey waiting to be discovered.

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Education Base of The Mystical Xishuangbanna Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden

The Mystical Xishuangbanna Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden: A Tropical Paradise and the Secret to Plant Survival

Xishuangbanna Scenery

The Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences Tropical Botanical Garden

Luosuo River (罗梭江)

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden Views

Missile Palm at the Botanical Garden

Menglun Town

Local Dining and Farm Stays

Menglun’s Weather

Mosquitoes and Wildlife in Xishuangbanna

The "Blood-Curdling Tree" (箭毒木)

The Life-Saving "Bend Hand Vine" (扁担藤)

Tropical Rainforest as the “Lungs of the Earth”

The Unique Climate of Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna's Fog

The "Tropical Rainforest Miracle"

The Skyward-Soaring "Looking at the Sky Trees" (望天树)

The Layers of the Tropical Rainforest

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