When I adventured in this luxuriant and tropical rainforest of the southernmost part of Yunnan province of China, I was amazed to witness the abundance of vegetation and birds. This region, traditionally called for centuries in Thai language "Sip Song Pan na", translated in mandarin language as Xishuangbanna, means "twelve thousand field rice fields".

Of Xishuangbanna's population of more 700,000, more than half belong to the gentle Dais who are just as closely related to the Thais of Thailand as the name suggests. Due to its unique geographic and climate aspect (its tropical climate and its remoteness), this mountainous region contains the richest plant biodiversity in China and more than 90% of China's wild elephant population.

Xishuangbanna is China's Mini-Thailand as the Dais have retained some Thai traditions such as the Water Festival, which is equivalent to Songkran in Thailand, falling on the same date (April 13 to 15), and has the same traditional meaning of greeting a new year by the Thai, and Dai, calendar.
But Songkran is not the only Thai festivity which is also found in Yunnan's Xishuangbanna: there are rocket festivals, like in Thailand's Northeast, and boat races on various festive occasions as they are common in Northern Thailand.

Xishuangbanna, or rather the Dai majority, are Theravada Buddhists just like the Burmese and the Thais which gives the region additional colour. Like in Thailand and Burma, saffron-robbed monks can be seen early morning wandering from house to house to receive the faithfuls' offerings. And there are countless Burmese- and Thai-style pagodas.
Currently, Xishuangbanna comprises the largest and most comprehensive tropical forest in China. As an eco-tourist roaming in the many trails of this tropical region, my ears and eyes relaxed in pleasant and harmonious moments. With leaves this size, I didn't need an umbrella.