Jinghong China Town In Xishuangbanna

Jinghong, Chinese Town In Xishuangbanna. Long Skirts Worn By Dai Women.

FREE photos: FREE search:
Click here for information.

Updated 1st May, 2007
* * * Jinghong Summary * * *

The Jinghong arrival in Xishuangbanna by air from Kunming, was like arriving in a different country, not just a different district of Yunnan Province or a remote part of China. A district on the borders of Burma and Laos, the people in Jinghong looked different and the spoken language sounded different. The area is inhabited by two main minority groups, the Dai and the Han, with distinctive long skirts worn by the women. The Dai people have a legend that a golden deer being chased by hunters led to the discovery of Xishuangbanna.

There were many open markets in Jinghong where local produce was sold, amongst which were some of the largest pineapples I had ever seen. Fresh fruit and vegetables are essential ingredients for the local exotic dishes which can be enjoyed and at one small restaurant in Jinghong we were served sticky black rice which had been roasted inside bamboo stalks. Bowls of hot water were brought to the table before the start of the meal, to wash our hands, for the food was eaten with the fingers.

Between the serving of the courses, the Jinghong waitresses in their colorful dresses sang and performed some traditional dances on a raised platform.

Chinese woman buys apples in Jinghong market

Fan of peacock feathers bought in Jinghong market

In some of the Jinghong markets we visited there was inevitably hand crafted items on show ready to attract the visitors, and Zhong purchased two fans made from peacock feathers. Peacocks are said to inhabit the Jinghong forests, and in one park we visited there was a large model of a peacock with its tail fanned out in all its splendor.

Buddhism is part of the unique culture of the Dai people. At one Buddhist temple in Jinghong our two traveling companions from Hong Kong knelt before the Buddha Altar, and the prayer sticks which were shaken out of the container were taken to an old lady to be interpreted. At a Buddhist Monastery, young Jinghong boys in their saffron robes, being educated by monks, darted out of sight as soon as they saw a camera being pointed at them.

Jinghong 2:- Pool Table And Bridge Over Mekong River
Jinghong 3:- Necklaces Of Seeds And Nuts
Jinghong 4:- Preparing Snacks Under Tree In Memorial Park

* * * Jinghong Summary * * *

Visit The New
GUESTBOOK

Coolie Hats Made In Tong Mu Workshops
Buddha Worship In Shanghai.

Have you enjoyed your visit to the China Pages ?
Why not pass them on to your friends ?
Make the author very happy !

CHINA HOME OF A 100 PAGES....... | VIETNAM HOME
Send Robert email