Xishuangbanna is amazing, but I won't be going back

Hey guys! The tropical rainforests and exotic vibes of Xishuangbanna are truly breathtaking 🌺! Before going, I fantasized about being a Dai girl at the Starlight Night Market and taking stunning photos at Gaozhuang Xishuangjing, but reality gave me a harsh lesson 😭! Today, I'll give you the honest truth about my travel experience 👇! 🌆 Beautiful like abroad! But the crowds are overwhelming! When I first arrived in Xishuangbanna, I was instantly blown away by the architecture of Gaozhuang Xishuangjing! 🏝️ The golden palaces and streets full of Southeast Asian charm made me feel like I'd teleported to Thailand! 📸 Every shot at Manting Park looked like a movie poster, with lush tropical plants making it feel like I'd wandered into the Wizard of Oz 🌴! But!!! The crowds were insane!!! 🙅‍♀️ Wanting to take Dai-style photos at the Starlight Night Market meant waiting two hours for just five minutes of shooting 📷! The market was packed, making it hard to even browse or eat properly 😭! Renting an electric bike to tour Gaozhuang? Forget it—traffic jams everywhere made it impossible to move!!! 🍍 The food is delicious! But the prices are "stunning"! The food in Xishuangbanna is absolutely amazing! 🍜 Spicy and sour chicken feet, sweet and creamy pao lu da, and sticky pineapple purple rice—I loved it all! 🥭 The night market offered all kinds of local snacks, and the flavors were unbeatable! But!!! The prices were outrageous 😱! A simple Dai-style barbecue skewer cost over 50 yuan, and fruits were twice as expensive as elsewhere 🍉! Wanting to bring back some local specialties, I quickly realized many were overpriced and low-quality—total buzzkill 😒! 🏠 Accommodation was a disaster! The experience plummeted! I originally wanted to stay in a unique homestay and enjoy a slow-paced life 🏡. But!!! Either the hygiene was terrible, or the soundproofing was nonexistent 😩! I could hear the neighbors talking at night and couldn't sleep at all!!! Trying to switch hotels? The prices were absurdly high with terrible value for money 😫! 💡 My hard-earned lessons! Here's how to avoid the pitfalls! 1️⃣ Never go during peak season! The experience is 10x better when it's less crowded! 🙅‍♀️ 2️⃣ Book your Dai-style photoshoot in advance! Don't wait until the night market—it's expensive and sketchy! 📸 3️⃣ Compare food prices! Stalls near tourist spots are overpriced; go where the locals eat for better deals! 🍢 4️⃣ Choose well-reviewed accommodations! Don't cheap out, or you'll regret it! 🏨 The scenery in Xishuangbanna is truly breathtaking 🌴, but this trip left me exhausted and disappointed 😔! If I had another chance, I'd definitely go during the off-season to properly enjoy the slow life here. Guys, if you're planning a trip to Xishuangbanna, make sure you do your homework!!! 😭😭😭