Mengla county is situated at the most south point of southwest China, bordering Laos at its east, south and southwest sides, and bordering Myanmar at its west side.

The special tropical climate here has created the wonderful tropical rain forest scenery. Both the convenient land and water transport produces the most convenience for developing tourism and border trade. It has been a very popular cross border tour route from Mengla to Lonang Namtha, Phong Sali and Louangphrabang in Laos, as well Thailand.

Guanlei pier, which is constructed on the Lancing River, only about 21 km from the connecting point of china, Myanmar and Laos is known as " First Village of China ", and Mohan National Port, which is nicknamed for " Mao Zedong Road " are the two very important land accesses to the southeast Asian Countries from China.

It will be another unforgettable experience to enjoy the natural scenery at the Sanchahe Forest Part in Mengla. There is a air-pass about one kilometer long on the " looking up to the sky tree ". Any visitor can climb obtain a good view of the golden monkey, peacock, elephants. There is also a tourist villa in the shape of bird nest to provide more convenience for the passing by passengers. . The elephant performance at the sandchahe will add more memories to your Banna trip.

It is about 832 kilometers from Mengla to Kunming. Both sleeper coach and plane are available to go there.

To the Dai people, the elephant is the symbol of good luck, might and longevity. The wild elephants of Xishuangbanna mainly live in the Wild Elephants Valley (yexiang gu), at the juncture of the western and eastern part of the Menyang natural reserve. In the valley, there is an observation tower, especially built for tourists. The best time to see these impressive beasts is at dawn or dusk. There are currently 300 elephants living in the dense forest in Xishuangbanna, known locally as the "kingdom of elephants".

The Botanic Garden of Tropical Plants (redai zhiwuyuan) is one of the major attractions in Xishuangbanna. Situated on Hulu Island, the garden contains 3,000 different types of plant. The environment here is spectacular, surrounded by rivers and mountains and containing a welath of rare and unusual plants, trees and flowers. Dragon Blood Tree is one of the most interesting and valuable species in the garden. Its sap is used as a remedy to stop bleeding and promote blood circulation

Jinzhen Octagonal Pavilion (jinzhen bajiaoting) is a Buddhist landmark in Xishuangbanna.This area, being close to the birth place of Sakymuni, is home to numerous faithful adherents of Buddhism. To pay homage to Buddha, residents here constructed a temple according to the octagonal shape of Sakymuni's golden cap in 1701.

The temple is composed of three parts: the base is made from brick, the body and roof, from wood. Delicate golden pictures and patterns adorn the outer walls of the temple and inside stands and impressive golden statu fo Buddah. The roof of the pavilion is novel with a fantastic eight-sectioned ten-tiered roof rising steeply to a round cupola, topped by a 4-meter-high iron pole. Round the roof hang pretty copper bells. On the 15th and 30th of every month (Tai year), all Buddhas in Jinzhen congregate here to listen to the local eminent monk deliver his sermon.

Ganlan (Oliver) Sandbar Known in the language of the Dai people as Menghan, the Ganlan Sandbar on the Lancang Rivers a world - famous " peacock tail ", meaning the most beautiful part of Xishuangbanna. " No trip to Xishuangbanna is complete without a visit to Ganlan Sandbar ". as the popular saying goes.

Situated at the end of a 37-kilometers trip down the Lancang River from Jinghong, and covering an area of 50 square kilometers at an altitude of 530 metres (the lowest point of Xishuangbanna), the Ganlan Sandbar derives its name from the fact that its forever clothed in greenery and that it takes the shape of an olive. A total of 64 Dai-inhabited villages are found on the sandbar, and bamboo abodes gleam in the verdure of coconut trees, with water flowing past them all the year round, and flowers in full bloom in all four seasons. Thus the phrase " Bamboo pavilions under coconut trees ". becomes synonymous to the Dai people's dwellings. The Ganlan Sandbar, its tropical landscape looking sylvan in the ethnic Dai tradition, evinces an air of classic sanctity and natural repose.