[2024 Jinghong ] Travel Guide for Night markets in Xishuangbanna (Updated Sep)
Xishuangbanna Night Market
Dear friends👋, I impulsively bought a ticket to fly to Xishuangbanna✈️ just because of a picture of the Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market! The atmosphere at the Starlight Night Market at night is absolutely amazing👏! Each small tent shines like a star✨. It is said to be the largest night market in Asia. At night, this is the liveliest place in Xishuangbanna🎉.
📍Location: Gaozhuang, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Prefecture.
🕔Opening hours: Open all day, but the night market starts at 18:00 and lasts until 1:00-2:00 in the morning.
✅Recommended route: Gaozhuang Xishuangjing ➡ enter from the Golden Pagoda Temple ➡ Red Brick Steps ➡ Main Stall Area of Starlight Night Market ➡ Elephant Statue ➡ BBQ Snack Street ➡ Six Nations Water Market ➡ Stroll along the Mekong River stalls and enjoy the night view ➡ Exit from the west or east side.
🌈Recommended check-in points:
👉The stairs near the Starlight Night Market side of the Golden Pagoda, where you can overlook the bustling scene of the Starlight Night Market.
👉The stalls at the Starlight Night Market, various handicrafts, food, open bars, etc., are all worth photographing.
👉By the water at the water night market, there are inner lake boats passing by, with neon reflections on the water and bustling bar night market, creating a great summer night atmosphere.
👉The top floor of the East Tower of Jingzai Village or the top floor platform of Building 1 in Jingkuang Village is a good place for aerial photography. Since Gaozhuang is a no-fly zone, you can only climb the building to take panoramic shots.
👅Food includes:
🐟Lemongrass Grilled Fish, grilled tilapia with lemongrass, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, very flavorful.
🍨Palu Da, bread soaked in coconut milk, full of tropical flavor.
☕️Lao Iced Coffee, bagged iced coffee, perfect for a hot day.
🐓Dai-style Pounded Chicken Feet, sour and spicy, a very authentic Dai snack.
🌯Vietnamese Spring Rolls, transparent and chewy rice paper rolls with minced fillings, dipped in sour and spicy sauce, very appetizing.
🥥Coconut Jelly, can be added with different fruits, rich coconut flavor, considered a dessert.
🍚Five-color Sticky Rice, a very photogenic mango sticky rice with sweet and soft coconut milk.
🍄Wild Mushroom Hotpot, only available in the rainy season, the mushrooms are wild, fresh, and delicious.
😇About travel photography: The streets are full of "princesses"👸, with impressive makeup, but the photographers' skills vary. If you have a camera and a friend who can take good photos, you might as well buy a beautiful Dai costume, get your makeup done in a store, and take photos yourself. (The clothes in travel photography stores are almost never washed and have a strong smell of sweat. For those who love cleanliness, it's better to buy a new set of clothes. Headpieces can be borrowed).
AuroraHarmony424242
A Unique City | Jinghong, Xishuangbanna
Gaozhuang, a place you eagerly anticipate before visiting Banna and regret after leaving. Indeed, the city of Banna is unique, with a landscape completely different from any other city in China. It has the appearance of a plant city with a Southeast Asian style.
The strong commercial atmosphere still doesn't stop many people from going there to check in!
⛱️ Must-visit attractions: The Great Golden Pagoda, Starlight Night Market, Gaozhuang
🌄 Travel Tips: Spend one evening taking photos, and another evening enjoying the Starlight Night Market, tasting special snacks like dance chicken feet, etc. With over a hundred night market stalls, there's always something you'd like to buy.
🏨 Accommodation Tips: You can stay in a homestay near Gaozhuang, which is not expensive, or choose a hotel. It's all up to your budget. Transportation is also convenient. If you stay out late for photos, it's just a walk back.
💗 Other tips: If you want to capture the full view of the night market, take photos from the stairs looking down. Some attractions may charge a fee.
The night market's food can be a bit pricey, so you can take a taxi to the surrounding barbecue markets.