January 22nd, Manyuan Village - Manfadai Buddhist Temple - Shayao Village - Prajna Temple

Manyuan Village

Manyuan Village is located in Menghan Town, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is a thousand-year-old traditional Dai village. The forest coverage rate here exceeds 90%, and the natural scenery is beautiful. The village is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the small buildings in the Dai stilted style are scattered in an orderly manner and well-preserved. Manyuan Village has been rated as one of the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Villages in China," a "Traditional Chinese Village," and a "Famous Tourism Village in Yunnan Province." The village inherits more than 10 intangible cultural heritages such as the Dai Water Splashing Festival, Dai Zhangha, and Dai Elephant Foot Drum Dance. It also has a Dai medicine experience hall, an intangible cultural heritage experience hall, and other facilities, making it a good place to experience the traditional culture and rural life of the Dai people. 

Manfadai Buddhist Temple

Manfadai Buddhist Temple is located in Manfadai Village, Menglong Town, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is an important place for religious activities of the local Dai people. The Buddhist temple was built in the 11th century AD and has a long history. It is one of the early Buddhist temples established after the introduction of Theravada Buddhism. Manfadai Buddhist Temple is famous for its exquisite architectural art and profound religious culture and is a precious heritage for studying the history, culture, and Buddhist art of the Dai people. The architecture of the Buddhist temple combines the traditional architectural style of the Dai people. The interior decoration is exquisite, with patterns of dragons and phoenixes painted on the beams and columns, and Buddhist story murals on the walls, showing the essence of the ancient architectural techniques and historical culture of the Dai people. Manfadai Buddhist Temple is not only the center of religious activities but also a good place for tourists to experience the culture and Buddhist culture of the Dai people. 

Shayao Village

Shayao Village is located in Gasa Town, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is a multi-ethnic village mainly inhabited by the Hani and Lahu ethnic groups. The village is situated at the foot of the Dahei Mountain, with an altitude of about 900 meters, backed by a banana forest and blessed with unique natural landscapes. The total area of Shayao Village is 21.82 square kilometers, and the average annual temperature is 20°C, which is suitable for growing rubber, tea, and other crops. The terrain inside the village is undulating, and the roads are narrow and rugged. There are old wooden stilted buildings here, as well as a waterfall landscape, and the surrounding area is densely covered with primitive rainforests. The simple villagers and their simple way of life deeply touched us. 

Prajna Temple

Prajna Temple is located on the back mountain of Manzhen Village, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna. It was built in 833 AD and has a long history. The main body of the temple is pure white, with a towering white pagoda. The main hall is not large, but the courtyard is exquisite. The Buddha niche pavilion and the pagoda forest are solemn and sacred. It is an important temple of Theravada Buddhism, full of a strong religious atmosphere and unique Dai cultural connotations.  

So far, our journey to the mysterious land in southern Yunnan has come to a successful conclusion. From the ancient Buddhist temples to the peaceful villages, every place tells the story of the passage of time. Wandering among the mountains, forests, and streams, breathing the pure air, we feel the harmonious coexistence of man and nature. Here, the soul has found long-lost peace, and the hustle and bustle of the world has been left behind. This journey to the mysterious land in southern Yunnan is a visual and spiritual feast. The landscapes we have seen and the people we have met will all become the brightest treasures in our memory. We set off with this beauty and also look forward to the next reunion with this land.

Yours Truly

Leena Li - Charmission Travel