The tiny village of Gan Lan Ba (Olive Plain) is home to vibrant cultural offerings of the Dai ethnic community, and one such landmark manifests in the form of the Ganlanba Temple, otherwise known as the Manchunman Temple. Experience this iconic spiritual locale and soak in the sightseeing of the surrounding area by checking into a luxury hotel Yunnan has to offer its leisure and corporate visitors. Perhaps consider the Anantara Xishuangbanna as its scenic locale and elegant interiors provide a welcome slice of heaven in one of China’s most majestic landscapes that make it an ideal hotel in Yunnan to host your stay. Xishuangbanna is home to a vibrant array of Dai ethnic villages that are worth investigating. One charming option is Ganlanba or Menghan, depending on whom you ask. It is home to an exquisite Theravada Buddhist pagoda that has borrowed architectural elements of the vibrant Dai community that populates the Xishuangbanna region. Manchuman Temple presents a special spiritual allure that draws pilgrims from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Sri Lanka. The site features an impressive central hall for meditation and special ceremonies, covering an area of 490 square metres supported by 44 columns of varying heights. The columns feature intricate golden pictures set upon a rust backdrop, making for a stunning visual. The front of the central hall features a shrine with a golden statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha, flanked by five additional Buddha statues, most likely meant to represent Bodhisattvas. The altar also features various ancient weapons and colourful flags bearing sutras. One of the most stunning features of the temple complex is the golden pagoda, situated in the northwest corner. It comprises five separate golden pagodas on a square pedestal, and features chimes on the steeples. The Manchunman Temple in Ganlanba is worth visiting if you’re touring the area.
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 intends to visit them all someday.