Xishuangbanna, magical tropical rainforest and charming Dai style

On January 26, 2018, the afternoon of the parent-teacher meeting for my daughter, I set off for Xishuangbanna, a rainforest land with 13 ethnic minorities.
First come a group of magical landscapes in the rainforest:

magical rainforest landscape

A single tree forms a forest: In the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, there is a tall tree called Daqingshu. Due to the damage to the cortex of its huge branches, aerial roots will grow strips at the injured part under damp conditions. After these aerial roots grow into the soil, they quickly absorb the water and nutrients in the soil, and grow up quickly, becoming the "trunk" that supports the thick branches. These "trunks" range from dozens to hundreds, forming a spectacle of "a single tree forms a forest".

Big buttocks: Why do these trees in the rainforest form buttocks? These trees in the tropical rainforest are not only tall, strong and heavy, but also mostly shallow-rooted plants. At the same time, they also have to withstand the test of tropical storms. Therefore, in order to solve the problem of "top-heavy and unstable" and avoid being destroyed by wind and rain, They are very wise to grow some buttocks to support themselves. The buttock is formed by the abnormal secondary growth of the lateral roots of the arbor, and is an additional supporting structure of the tall arbor.

Hanging garden: The epiphytic plants in the tropical rainforest are of various shapes and colors, hanging on the trunks and vines in a dazzling array, known as the "sky garden". In order to fight for living space, these epiphytic plants usually hide from the thick tree layers, climb on the high branches, and fully and effectively capture the sunlight. When they bloom, they will form a colorful landscape of the hanging garden.

"Flowers bloom on the treetops, fruit hangs on the branches" is our common pattern, but the trees in the tropical rainforest do not follow the rules completely, and the flowers and fruits of some trees are not on the treetops and branches, but hang on the old trunks. In the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, flowers blooming from the stems of trees are often seen. This phenomenon is called "flowering from old stems". "Flowers from old stems" is a special phenomenon in the tropical rainforest, which is the result of the co-evolution of plants and animals formed during the long-term evolution of organisms. In fact, to put it simply, the trees in the tropical rainforest are too tall. If the flowers bloom on high branches, they are beyond the range of insects and cannot be pollinated. Open on old stems, suitable height, pollinated by insects.
tree pineapple
Also called jackfruit, typical old stem fruit

Tabao tree: At the beginning, it may be a seed brought by a bird and fell on the center of the tower, or it may be a seed accidentally blown by the wind, which germinates over time and grows into a big tree. Of course, it may also be that the bird ate it. A banyan tree seed, undigested. While strolling on the pagoda, I pooped a lot, and then, it grew and sprouted...

Tree Pack Tower:

Tree Wrapped Tower: This is a landscape in the Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The branches of the tree wrap the tower and are tightly entangled

strangle phenomenon
Some tree species of the genus Moraceae are often strangled in tropical forests to "rule the roost, kill the host, and replace it", and are the "green killers" in the tropical rainforest. When animals carry the seeds of the banyan tree to the branches of the tree or the cracks in the bark, the seeds will germinate. Young banyan trees can produce adventitious roots, which act like epiphytes. As the banyan tree grows, its adventitious roots intersect and fuse with each other, gradually wrapping and tightening the host tree, and relying on the host tree to support its body. When these banyan trees gradually become big trees, their roots and stems have completely wrapped the host tree, and the host tree eventually dies due to the tightness of the transport tissue and lack of nutrition, and these strangled banyan trees finally become independent big tree.

Climb the dragon and attach the phoenix
Three giant trees form a tropical rainforest spectacle --- "Plant Remarriage Phenomenon". Look at the tree in front of you. When she grows up, she leaves the childhood sweetheart she grew up with and throws herself into the arms of the taller and taller tree next to her. Nature so vividly interprets various phenomena of human society. , is breathtaking. These three trees are all banyan trees with tall crowns but shallow root systems. In order to support the huge trees, adventitious or aerial roots grow from the stems or branches. The tips of the aerial roots extend into the soil, and the underground parts quickly grow into The root system, the above-ground part grows into the trunk, and when there are other trees nearby as support points, it will not hesitate to remarry, and merge with the next tree to form a family. This is the peculiar phenomenon of banyan tree remarriage.

Couple tree:
This is a surprise given to us by Wangtian tree. It looks like a branched Wangtian tree, but there are actually two trees, one is Wangtian tree, and the other is the main companion tree species of Wangtian tree, fluffy longan. The tree species that grow together with the main tree species within a certain period of time and can promote the growth of the main tree species are called companion tree species. After seeing the cruelty of plant strangling, you can also feel the warmth of plant companionship, and you will find that plants can never leave each other and stay together for life.

Withered trees meet spring: the real origin of the idiom "withered trees meet spring".
The various wonders on this fallen tree are the comprehensive phenomena of tropical rainforest epiphytes, parasites, mosses, strangulation, buttocks, etc., which together form a unique and beautiful "sky garden" of tropical rainforests. The upper half of this tree It has died, and it is covered with all kinds of small plants, which are dazzling, like a hanging garden. These hanging plants are called epiphyte lamellae. There are also fungi, which will not easily let go of every cycle of life. It's really "Wan Muchun in front of the sick tree"

Dancing Grass: Also known as Merry Grass, the young leaves of Dancing Grass are very sensitive to sound waves. When the temperature reaches 25C and the decibel reaches over 70, they will continuously swing up and down when stimulated by sound waves, like a girl dancing. In order to watch her dance, many curious tourists began to sing lyrically to her. I directly played the galloping horse on my mobile phone, and when it moved, the blades really moved, and it was blown by the wind...

Sour-to-sweet miracle fruit:
Miracle fruit is one of the most amazing plants in the world. In the 1960s, when Premier Zhou Enlai visited Ghana, he brought back several extremely miraculous miracle fruits and introduced them into the Banna Botanical Garden. Miracle fruit contains a unique protein. After eating miracle fruit, any sour food will feel very sweet.
In 1968, scientists isolated this protein that can regulate human taste buds; in 2011, Japanese scientists discovered the chemical mechanism of the miraculous fruit protein’s taste change, and found that the miraculous fruit protein function is related to the pH value in the mouth. Under normal circumstances, the pH value in the human mouth is close to neutral. In a neutral environment, the miracle fruit protein is located above the sweet taste receptors of the tongue, hugs the sweet taste receptors tightly, and does not activate the sweet taste receptors, so the taste of miracle fruit is nothing special. However, if you eat acidic things such as lemon and vinegar within 1-2 hours after eating miracle fruit, the pH value in your mouth will decrease. When the miracle fruit protein encounters acidic substances, the electrical properties of the protein change, which in turn stimulates the sweet taste receptors on the tongue, making the sweet taste receptors extremely excited, so people feel that all sour things are sweet. Fantastic!
When we went, we only saw theoretical knowledge, but did not see the fruit
The magical tropical rainforest has given us many surprises.
(The above magical rainforest landscape science knowledge comes from the introduction of the scenic spot and the Xishuangbanna Museum)

itinerary planning

Main itinerary: On the first day, Jinuo Shanzhai and Primitive Forest Park, in the evening, the Starlight Night Market in Gaozhuang Xishuangjing
On the second day, Dai Nationality Garden and Mantingyu Garden, "Lancang Mekong Night" singing and dancing bonfire party in the evening
On the third day, the Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lancang River Riverside Night Market at night
On the fourth day, one-day tour of Wangtianshu Scenic Area
On the fifth day, at the originally scheduled Daluo port, Mengjing came to the scenic spot for a day. Because I was tired, I changed to sleep late and then looked at the Xishuangbanna Museum.
Because I don't like to wait for the car, so it is a chartered car tour, which feels more comfortable and convenient.

Keno Cottage

The Jinuo nationality is a nation that came out of the big drum in the prehistoric era. It is the last recognized nation in our country and lives in the vast tropical rainforest. Everyone knows that there are 56 ethnic groups in our country, but many people may not know that there are 56 different ethnic groups in the country that have been officially confirmed since 1979. On June 6, 1979, the 56th ethnic group was in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Birth --- Keno. The Jinuo people have stepped into a socialist society from a primitive society

Keno Cottage

Welcome guests at the gate of the village: Listen, the big drum on the gate of the village is beating. Zhuoba (the elder) and Bai Lapao (the sorceress) led the cottagers to come...

On the waist of the goddess Amoyaobei and in front of the sculpture of Mahemaniu, there is the "Legend of Creation". After reading it, I understand that the Jinuo nationality is a nation that respects and respects uncles.

Keno Cottage

Adult tribute Stage performance, fruit and barbecue tasting during the performance

Keno Cottage

The Jinuo people still retain their own weaving method---machete cloth

Keno Cottage

blacksmith

Keno Cottage

What is more impressive is the Jino nationality's father-son joint name system. For example: Waist Jie-Jie Ze-Zedong; Cheblu-Blu Che-Lu Che Pi.

Keno Cottage

After passing through the fruit tasting area, amidst the fragrance of rice wine and the deep affection of the wizard elders, complete the full experience of Youle culture

Jinuo Shanzhai Primeval Forest Park

Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park

Golden Lake Peacocks Flying: Order a glass of juice at the floating restaurant by the lake and wait for leisure. With the sound of a long whistle, the peacocks fly out together, across the lake, and come to the shore to look for food

Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park

peacock flying

peacock flying video

Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park

After walking through the long suspension bridge, we came to Aini Mountain Village

Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park

Ai Ni Shanzhai Huan Ge Ga Tang Pa

Hani Bamboo Pole Pinch Dance

Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park

The performance of ethnic customs in the Water Splashing Square lasts for 30 minutes each. You can go to watch it according to the performance time, and you can also participate in the elephant water splashing carnival

Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park

Elephants enter the arena to prepare for a water-splashing carnival

Cute little monkeys in the monkey area

Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park

Jungle Leap (separate ticket required)
virgin forest jungle leap
be careful

Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park

Peacock Princess Story 100-meter relief. "Zhaoshutun and Nanmu Nona"

Starlight Night Market

Starlight Night Market in Xishuangjing, Gaozhuang

Starlight Night Market Dai Nationality Natural Village

Dai natural village, dragon fruit is randomly planted on the wall

Passion fruit entwined with vines in a small yard

passion fruit

egg fruit

Lemongrass

When you come to Xishuangbanna, everyone will go to taste the lemongrass grilled fish. The fish is fresh tilapia. After cleaning, stuff ginger, garlic, onion, salt and other condiments into the belly of the fish, then tie the belly of the fish with lemongrass, and then clamp it with bamboo slices and put it on the charcoal fire bake. The tilapia grilled in this way is not only sweet and delicate, but also has a strong aroma of spices, which is very delicious.
The picture above is lemongrass

This verdant round cake is moss, the moss of the Lancang River, the industrious Dai people picked it up from the Lancang River, dried it, and made it into a delicacy

This is the delicacy made of moss in the Lancang River --- fried moss

Dai Garden

Dai Garden: a scenic spot surrounded by five natural villages

Xishuangbanna Dai Nationality Park

Dai Elephant Foot Drum Production

Xishuangbanna Dai Nationality Park

This is the garden of the Dai people, there is a family raising fighting cocks

Dai Bamboo House (Wooden House)

Xishuangbanna Dai Nationality Park

I can’t remember exactly which village I was in the Dai Nationality Garden. I had lunch at a Dai Inn, and then ran to the banana garden behind the house to have fun.
A large banana forest can't be seen at a glance. For the first time, I saw such a large bunch of bananas, and they were covered with bags. I have only seen apples in the north covered in paper bags when they grow on trees, so that the peel is delicate.

Xishuangbanna Dai Nationality Park

Splashing Square in Dai Nationality Garden

Xishuangbanna Dai Nationality Park

beautiful dai girl
Dai people, women, all have the surname Yu, and their zodiac signs are all peacocks; men, all have the surname Yan, pronounced "love". The zodiac sign is an elephant. Elephants and peacocks are the mascots of the Dai people. We Han people have twelve zodiac signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. I suddenly remembered an interesting story about my brother's zodiac sign when he was a child: I am a dragon, my brother is four years older than me, and my zodiac sign is a rat. Grandma's zodiac sign is tiger. My brother felt that this mouse really couldn't get on the stage. What's more, I always slapped my hands and shouted around him: "Little mouse, go to the lampstand... One day my brother will insist on changing his zodiac signs with grandma." It seems that only a tiger can hold me down. But, grandma, it's so true, she said, this zodiac sign can't be changed, and I will accompany you for the rest of my life. As a result, the aggrieved child cried. Look, if this is in the Dai nationality, children will not have the trouble of not liking the rat zodiac.
Later, my brother liked the rat zodiac again. why? This comes from another story told by my wise mother: it is the story about the animals running a race, and the top twelve are selected as the zodiac signs, and the mouse is actually the first, it is definitely smart...

Xishuangbanna Dai Nationality Park

splashing water

Splashing Carnival in the Dai Minority Garden Man Ting Yu Garden

Manting Royal Garden: Dai King Royal Garden, Premier Zhou splashing commemorative bronze statue

Manting Royal Garden

Dai slow wheel pottery making: there is a slow wheel pottery experience hall in Mantingyu Garden

Manting Royal Garden

Strolling in the shade is also a great feeling

Manting Royal Garden

Elephant Performance in Manting Imperial Garden

Manting Royal Garden

Xiaobao and I are very grateful to our personal bodyguards

, from the first day I came to Xishuangbanna, I told Xiaobao and me that you two can rest assured to eat, drink and have fun.

Xiaobao took a picture of us, and seeing her look like this, I burst out laughing... Let her take a picture first

Manting Royal Garden

Manting Park

Manting Royal Garden

This is the entrance of the theater, watch the theater of Mekong Night at night

Manting Royal Garden

Lancang Mekong Night Song and Dance Bonfire Party --- Humorous Host

Brown playing and singing

Chinese Academy of Sciences Tropical Botanical Garden