A quaint province of China that boasts unique archaeological finds and breathtaking scenic beauty, Yunnan is a heavenly place to visit. From exhilarating treks in the Tibetan, snow-capped mountains to the gloriously warm rainforests, this locale holds some true treasures that are simply waiting to be discovered. Located in the south of Yunnan is Xishuangbanna, a delightful site that offers the best of rainforests, Dai cuisine and most importantly, the Olive Dam.
A vibrant dispersion of Dai villages on the Olive Dam form the magnificent pattern of a peacock’s tail in its pride – a beautiful sight to behold. The two largest villages are Mansongman and Manting, which are also commonly known as Huayuan Village and Huaguo Village, respectively. Visit these villages and witness the traditions of the Dai people in their bamboo homes and experience their hospitality while also drinking in the majesty of the Buddhist Burmese temples and pagodas.
Widely known as the lowest and hottest place in Xishuangbanna, the Olive Dam is located approximately 30km southeast of Jinghong Menghan and this tropical climate brings with it a spate of benefits. A basin that is elevated only 530m, the Olive Dam’s humid climate creates the ideal environment to grow delicious tropical fruits like coconut, banana, mango, pineapple, litchi, carambola, areca, jackfruit and much more. Along with fresh fruits, the Olive Dam is renowned as the foremost producer of scrumptious candied and dried fruits.
Legend has it that on the Buddha Sakyamuni’s visit to Olive Dam, his ardent followers laid a length of cotton cloth for him to walk on which was later rolled and preserved, from which was derived the term Meng Han (Ganlanba) in which ‘Han’ means to roll something up. The ‘Olive’ in Olive Dam is for its unique olive-shape and its timelessness and plentitude of greenery that boasts amazing scenic beauty. A promising adventure for a true traveler, Olive Dam presents its visitors with an amazing opportunity to enjoy Dai traditions and join the fun at festivals such as the annual Water-Splashing Festival.
After a an exciting day of exploring return to the Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa for a relaxing and reviving experience like no other at one of the best Hotel in Yunnan. A perfect blend of scenic charm and the luxurious pampering services of this gorgeous Hotel Yunnan are sure to delight your every vacation need.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+
