Situated on the banks of the Luosuo River, this pretty town is famous for its botanical gardens and intense natural beauty.
This is a great place for simply wandering and soaking up the atmosphere. It is possible to hire a bicycle and explore, although there are some steep hills in this area and many visitors prefer to hike up the high hills to enjoy the panoramic views from the top.
The main attraction in this area is the Menglun Botanical Gardens. These lush gardens feature thousands of varieties of tropical and subtropical plants from around the world and are a pleasant place to walk and relax.
Getting to Menglun takes time so it is worth spending the night here and getting to know the area. Fortunately there are plenty of decent places to stay here as well as restaurants serving delicious home cooked meals and tasty treats. The local marketplace is also an interesting place to spend time and purchase produce and handicrafts.
Getting There & Away
Access is from the city of Jinghong, where there is an international airport. Visitors to Menglun can take a bus from Jinghong’s large bus station (5 hours). Buses also stop in at Menglan from places such as Ganlanba, Guanlei, Mengpeng and Mengxing.
Things to Do
Menglun Attractions
- Menglun Tropical Botanical Gardens
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These are the largest botanical gardens in the country and keen botanists and gardeners travel from far and wide to spend time here.
- Xishuangbanna Rainforest Reserve
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Next to the botanical gardens, this preserved patch of rainforest is an ideal place for trekking.
Events
- Water-Slashing Festival
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Visit in mid-april to experience this water festival, which features dragon boat racing and the igniting of kongming lamps.