Xishuangbanna Family Trip: 6 Days of Fun!

Who can relate? Taking the kids to Xishuangbanna was a blast—we didn’t want to leave! Catching crabs in the rainforest 🦀, setting bird traps, swinging high in the air, petting adorable red pandas, watching firefly galaxies ✨, walking and bathing elephants 🫧, and getting soaked in the Water Splashing Festival 💦! In the evening, we rode electric scooters through coconut groves 🌴, feeling like we were instantly transported to Southeast Asia without leaving the country. It was amazing! 📝 Super detailed 6-day, 5-night family-friendly itinerary—parents, take notes! DAY 1: Arrival in Xishuangbanna—Check-in at the Hidden Gem InterContinental Hotel ✨ The InterContinental Hotel is incredible! A tropical garden paradise 🌸! We stayed on the ground floor, with direct access to a small forest—felt like we owned the entire estate! ✔ Endless fun for the kids: bamboo pole dancing, tea cake making, fishing in rice paddies, watching cockfights, and releasing lanterns 🏮... You could spend the whole day just enjoying the hotel! ✔ Exclusive peacock garden! After 8 AM, peacocks roam freely 🦚—so close you can almost touch them! DAY 2: Wild Elephant Valley Adventure + Red Panda Manor Night Exploration ✨ Walk with elephants via the VIP path! Watch them bathe, see baby elephants drink milk 🍼, and touch their rough yet soft skin—it’s amazing! ✨ Experience brushing elephant backs, feeding them carrots 🥕, and even cleaning up their poop! The kids were thrilled! ✔ Overnight at Red Panda Manor! During breakfast, red pandas wandered in to say hello—so adorable! 🥹 ✔ Night exploration: discover stick insects, grasshoppers, stunning orchid mantises, and a galaxy of fireflies 🧚♂—it’s magical! DAY 3: Sun River Petting Zoo + Starlight Night Market ✨ Right next to the hotel is Sun River Forest Park, where animals roam freely! Pet them to your heart’s content~ ✨ Touch rhinos, cuddle red pandas, and feed them apples 🍎—it’s heart-melting! ✔ The friendly black bears are so comforting and not afraid of people at all! ✔ In the evening, head to the Starlight Night Market! Must-try dishes: pounded chicken feet, lemongrass grilled fish, and Paluda dessert! 😋 DAY 4: Immersive Dai Culture Experience in Manyuan Village ✨ Only visiting one Dai village? Go for Manyuan Village! It’s peaceful, scenic, and less crowded! Guided tours by cultural heritage experts. ✔ Learn the Dai language, make Dai pottery, dance the elephant foot drum dance, and pick bananas. ✔ Water-splashing fun 💦 (Dai costumes provided) + bonfire party 🎉—the vibe is unmatched! DAY 5: Jinuo Mountain Rainforest Adventure ✨ Try sour ants, catch crabs in the stream 🦀, and swing high in the air—it’s thrilling! ✨ See rubber trees dripping latex, encounter green bamboo snakes 🐍, damselflies, stink bugs, and beehives 🐝. ✨ Bamboo rafting, stone painting 🎨, setting bird traps, and painting Jinuo tribal face tattoos. ✔ Learn about plants with the guide: towering trees, rattan vines, hemostatic herbs... so educational! ✔ Enjoy a rainforest feast for lunch—grilled fish by the stream smelled heavenly! DAY 6: Free Activities—Head Home Satisfied 👋 💡 Tips: After much deliberation, we joined a family tour (4 nights at the InterContinental + 1 night at Red Panda Manor). The accommodations alone were worth the price! 🎫 Tickets + 🚗 transportation were all included, so we could relax and enjoy. Every stop had guided tours and family activities, combining fun and learning! Great food, comfortable stays, and endless fun—totally worth it! 👍