Things to do in Zhenyuan
Explore top experiences
Top 10 attractions in Zhenyuan
Qianjiazhai Village
Zhenyuan · 17.8km from downtown
Dianchi Lake
Dianchi Lake is also called Kunming Lake. It is the sixth largest freshwater lake in China. It has the nickname of "Sparkling Pearl Embedded in a Highland". The lake is wide and spectacular. Every winter, a large flock of red-billed gulls migrate here from Siberia, making it a good place for bird watching and bird feeding. There are different ways to explore Dianchi lake. You can stroll around the lake, cycle, or ride a boat. You can also climb up to the Dragon Gate overlooking Dianchi Lake to get a better view of the entire lake.China · Kunming
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is located in Yilun Town, Mengla County, Xishuangbanna. The park is divided into two parts: the eastern area and the western area. The West District is the main attraction. It includes more than 20 specialized botanic gardens. The “Exotic Flower Garden" is the most popular among tourists. Eastern District is a large area of old-growth tropical rain forest. Most areas are paved with viewing trails, suitable for travelers who enjoy hiking.China · Mengla
Manting Imperial Garden
Manting Imperial Garden is located in southeastern Jinghong, Yunnan Province. This natural village-style park is also the oldest urban park in Xishuangbanna. At Manting Imperial Garden, travelers can explore the vine plant area and peacock garden to see diverse flora and fauna, admire the charming Dai and Thai-style architecture, and enjoy ethnic minority song and dance performances in the evening.China · Jinghong
Stone Forest Scenic Area
The Stone Forest Scenic Area is located in Shilin County, Kunming, and is one of the key attractions in the city. This scenic area showcases typical karst landforms, featuring stone peaks, pinnacles, sinkholes, and underground rivers. The towering rock formations take on various shapes—sword-like, pagoda-like, mushroom-like, and more—creating a breathtaking and fantastical landscape. The Stone Forest Scenic Area is divided into several widely spaced sections, with the Greater and Lesser Stone Forest attractions at its core. The Naigu Stone Forest is located approx. 12 km north of the main attractions, while the Dadie Waterfall scenic area sits approx. 29 km southwest. The Changhu Lake area is positioned 26 km southeast of the main site. When visitors refer to touring the Stone Forest, they typically mean exploring the Greater and Lesser Stone Forest sections. The Greater and Lesser Shilin are located in the same area. After purchasing tickets at the main entrance and walking along the path for 20 minutes, you'll find the smaller and more gently sloped Lesser Shilin Scenic Area on your left. Amidst the dense cluster of peaks stands the famous Ashima Stone, where the majestic karst formations resemble a graceful Yi ethnic maiden named Ashima, seemingly waving to visitors—a favorite photo spot for travelers. Beyond the striking Ashima, the Lesser Shilin area features other captivating views like the Steed and Pillar Supporting the Sky, each with unique shapes. This is where your imagination is put to the test. If you find your imagination lacking, we recommend hiring a guide who can offer fresh perspectives on these remarkable formations. As you drive leisurely along the highway, you'll encounter a series of remarkable rock formations lining the roadside—the Tang Monk Stone, Stone Prison, Phoenix Combing Its Wings, and Lingzhi Mushroom Rock—each vividly lifelike and exquisitely crafted by nature's artistry, presenting their unique postures to showcase Earth's wondrous creations. Strolling along the pathway, you'll unexpectedly arrive at the Great Stone Forest Scenic Area. After marveling at wonders like "Two Birds Sharing Food," "Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon," "Lotus Peak," "Shilin Grand View," and "Stone Screen," you might feel slightly fatigued. Take a peaceful break at Lion Pavilion while admiring the inverted peaks reflected in Lion Pool across the way. After prolonged exposure to these karst formations, visual fatigue may set in—making it the perfect moment to shift perspectives. Board a cruise on Shilin Lake, where mountain vistas and water scenery converge into one breathtaking panorama, dissolving all stress and worries. If you prefer not to walk, electric carts driven by Yi ethnic women shuttle between attractions and stop upon request. You can still marvel at the wonders of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, and some friendly drivers may even share interesting local anecdotes along the way. Naigu Stone Forest, also known as New Stone Forest or Mozhai Stone Forest, is located 13 km north of the Stone Forest Scenic Area. It features a landscape composed of stone formations, Baiyun Lake, Shifeng Mountain, and Yougu Xianpu Waterfall. Compared to the Stone Forest Scenic Area, this site offers a distinct style. The towering gray-black stone pillars here are densely packed, resembling castles, towers, and mushrooms. The rugged, primitive rock formations surge skyward like waves, creating a majestic atmosphere. Walking through these dark peaks feels like stepping into a primeval world.China · Shilin
Wild Elephant Valley
Wild Elephant Valley is located in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, where Asian wild elephants frequently visit, hence the name. Coming here, you can watch elephant performances and explore the tropical rainforest. The attraction features a winding walking trail over 4,000 meters long through the rainforest, where you can stroll and experience the atmosphere. Along the trail, you can see rare tropical plants and traces of wild elephants like footprints and dung. If lucky, you might even spot herds of wild elephants wandering through the forest. There are daily elephant shows near the south gate of the attraction, where adorable elephants interact with staff in a spectacular display. Getting up close with these well-trained elephants for a safe and fun encounter is also a great experience. Near the south gate, you can also visit Wild Elephant Valley - Bird Park and Wild Elephant Valley - Butterfly Garden. Exiting Wild Elephant Valley - Bird Park, there is an approx. 920 m elevated walkway leading to the Asian Elephant Museum, where you can see elephant skeleton specimens and learn about elephants, with scenic views along the way.China · Jinghong
Dongfengyun Scenic Area
Mile's “Dongfengyun” town is a characteristic town with cultural tourism, health care and art as its core. The tens of thousands of acres of vineyards and hundreds of acres of lavender fields Souvenir the Attraction add color to the town. All year round, there are flowers in full bloom in spring, evergreen trees in summer, yellow ginkgo trees in autumn, and quiet and peaceful things in winter. Play in the charm of Dongfeng, flower field windmills, lakeside trails, and special-shaped buildings, bringing you a visual feast of art. Sculptor Luo Xu took the red soil from this plateau and used the red bricks from this land to implant unique-style buildings into the original landforms, and built a group of red brick art buildings in various shapes. The kaleidoscope displays the only two sets of "Thousands of Chorus Pottery Figurines" in the world, and the Half Cloud Art Living Room creates a Zen and quiet Refreshment environment. International Art Center, Agricultural Reclamation Museum, Flower Hill, Seal Workshop... Here, architecture tells stories and art conveys emotions. Eat at Dongfengyun, where the Seal Shop and Cultural and Creative Market, which combine local snacks from Mile, bring you a food carnival. Stay at Dongfengyun, MGallery Art Hotel, with 5 different themes to meet your business, administration, parent-child, vacation, and honeymoon needs; Niuduoluo Music Farm, takes you into a different rural life; Art Inn, with modern intelligent technology, allows you to experience the butler-style immersive stay experience cared for by artificial intelligence. Here, life becomes poetry, allowing time to flow slowly in the poetry and paintings of art, and allowing the soul to rest quietly in the long river of years. The wind rises, the clouds fall, wine is consumed among the flowers, and life is filled with the rare charm of the east wind.China · Mile
Rehai Scenic Area
You will see hot springs everywhere at Tengchong Thermal Sea Scenic Area. As soon as you come in, the “Hot Sea Giant Boiling Pot” - a round geothermal pool that can hard-boil eggs - will catch your eye. You will see many geyser vents as you make your way around the path that rings the inside of the park. The Yugu Hot Springs within the scenic area offer more than 20 open-air and semi-enclosed bathing pools. The Meinu Hot Springs offer multiple open-air bathing pools, cavern pools, and large swimming pools. Accommodation is available within the Tengchong Hot Sea Geothermal Scenic Area, where you can relax in a private hot spring in your room.China · Tengchong
Cangshan Mountain
Cangshan Mountain, also called Diancangshan Mountain, is located on the west side of the Erhai Lake in Dali. It's scenery is spectacular and it is one of the four scenic spots of Dali. The main peak of the mountain is snowy all year round and the mountain is often shrouded in clouds. You can take the cablecar up the mountain or walk up the mountain. After ascending the Cangshan Mountain, you can overlook the beautiful Erhai Lake and Dali Ancient City.China · Dali City
Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park
Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park is located in the east of Jinghong City, north of Yongjiang River and is a primeval forest. The means of transportation in the park is a tour bus. The main attraction is the Peacock Villa. When the trainers whistle, hundreds of peacocks will cross the sparkling lake, creating an awe-inspiring scene. The other two stations are the Ai'ni Village and the ethnic customs performing arts field. You can both watch the ethnic singing and dancing performances, and participate in the small Songkran Festival.China · Jinghong
Free things to do in Zhenyuan
What travellers say about Zhenyuan
玛玛努卡群岛丁大全20 August 2021
4.0
This place with ethnic characteristics is magical and interesting.
Qianjiazhai Village
Anonymous user14 October 2026
5.0
Location: Haigeng Park/No. 16 Hubin Road ↔ Xishan Longmen (West Mountain Dragon Gate), not near the old street, you have to go to the Dianchi Lake area.
Experience: Crossing the lake + climbing the mountain, about 20 minutes one way, views of Dianchi Lake, Sleeping Beauty Mountain, and city scenery, great for taking photos.
Ticket Price: One way about 59-60 RMB, round trip about 98-100 RMB.
Advantages: Easy for lazy people to climb West Mountain, no climbing required, unique views; seagulls in winter.
Disadvantages: Stops during strong winds/thunderstorms; long queues during peak season; separate ticket/walking required for Longmen after climbing the mountain; don't confuse with the "Xishan Longmen Cableway".
Conclusion: First time in Kunming, taking the Dianchi-Xishan route → worth it; if just exploring the old street → not worth a special trip.
Dianchi Lake
186***7026 October 2026
5.0
✅ Positive Reviews (Suitable for Posting on Various Platforms)
The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is the only 5A-level scenic spot in Xishuangbanna and a top-tier tropical plant research base in China, well worth a visit.
It's divided into West and East sections: The West section is a meticulously planned area with a Victoria amazonica pond, palm garden, banyan tree garden, and exotic flower garden, perfect for taking photos. You can see amazing plants like strangler figs, buttress roots, and dancing grass. The East section is a primeval rainforest and green stone forest, less crowded and quieter, with a strong rainforest atmosphere, suitable for hiking enthusiasts.
Taking the sightseeing bus is highly recommended, as the park is huge; a guided tour greatly enhances the experience, making it a top choice for family study tours. Night tours offer opportunities to find insects and see fireflies, a major highlight.
Disadvantages: It's far from Jinghong city center, about a 1-hour drive; it's hot and humid in the tropics; exploring alone without prior knowledge of plants can feel monotonous.
⚖️ Neutral Review
The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is more of a research-oriented scenic spot than an entertainment destination, resulting in polarized reviews.
👉Advantages: Abundant plant diversity, high educational value, ideal for children's educational trips, nature lovers, and photography enthusiasts. The west area boasts exquisite scenery and a concentration of popular photo spots; the east area offers a pristine, tropical rainforest experience.
👉Disadvantages: Limited amusement rides; a rushed, photo-taking experience can easily become boring; long distances and time-consuming round trips; the east area's trails have many steps, requiring considerable physical exertion; hot and humid in summer with many mosquitoes.
👉Suitable for: Families on educational trips, plant enthusiasts, and those who enjoy quiet photography; not suitable for tourists who only want to experience amusement rides or have a tight schedule.
❌Brief Negative Review Reference
Far from the city center, resulting in long travel times. The park is extremely large, requiring a sightseeing bus ticket; the overall feel is more like a research park. Without a guide, understanding the plants can be quite tedious, and there are few interactive exhibits. The east area's hiking is tiring, hot, and has many mosquitoes; not recommended for those simply looking for sightseeing and rides.
📌A concise summary (suitable for Xiaohongshu/short reviews)
A top-tier tropical plant treasure trove in China! The west section is great for photos, while the east section is pristine. The tour guide's explanations were excellent; without them, the visit would have been quite boring. The one-day itinerary was very well-planned.
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
willie25324 October 2026
5.0
The folk custom theater performance was alright and educational. The bonfire party initially seemed unremarkable; I kept wondering when the bonfire would be lit and I almost left, but the climax came at the end, so overall it was still quite good.
Manting Imperial Garden
631***4424 October 2026
5.0
The Stone Forest Scenic Area is a highly recommended tourist attraction. Its unique underwater topography, combined with the special landforms created by volcanic eruptions, forms a spectacular array of stone formations. The legend of Ashima further enhances the Stone Forest's mystique.
Stone Forest Scenic Area
Anonymous user17 October 2026
5.0
It's definitely worth a visit. I fed the elephants and saw a song and dance performance. It's worth mentioning that the performers were very dedicated and professional on stage. I also had an elephant meal at the scenic area. The price wasn't expensive; it cost about 200 yuan for four people. After visiting Wild Elephant Valley, you can also go to Manzhang Village to do handicrafts. A taxi from Xishuangbanna city to Wild Elephant Valley cost about 70 yuan.
Wild Elephant Valley
189***1223 October 2026
4.0
It's nice for taking photos and checking in, but not so much for leisurely sightseeing. A few of the exhibition halls were quite nice. What I don't understand is that the shuttle bus is still a gasoline-powered vehicle, and there was a really unpleasant smell in the back.
Dongfengyun Scenic Area
小旭091324 October 2026
5.0
The shuttle bus is convenient, with two stops on the way there. After getting off at the first stop, you need to walk another 2.5 kilometers to reach the Big Boiling Pot. The second stop takes you directly to the main attraction. I recommend getting off at the first stop; it's less tiring, so you can stroll around and experience it at your own pace. However, there's really no need to buy eggs or soak in the hot springs! It's extremely poor value for money!
Rehai Scenic Area
Carreair21 October 2026
5.0
The Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake scenic area is incredibly beautiful on a sunny day. The cable car station seems to be accessible only by taxi, but taxis in Dali are relatively inexpensive and convenient. Note that there's still a walk up the cable car, which some people might find a bit tiring. Overall, it's very cost-effective.
Cangshan Mountain
Anonymous user6 October 2026
5.0
It's recommended to visit Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park in the morning to avoid the afternoon sun. Be sure to bring mosquito repellent, a sun hat, and non-slip sneakers, as there are many mosquitoes in the rainforest and the trails can be slippery. Don't miss the peacock release show; arrive early to secure a front-row spot. Do not touch wild animals, respect local customs, protect the rainforest vegetation, and stay on the designated trails for safety.
Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park
