Xishuanbanna

... China's Thailand. It has an atmosphere different from the rest of China. Its kind of laidback. seeing golden elephants, fancy golden road signs and the occasional temple, you could think you are actually in Thailand (ignoring everything else around you). But what really makes the difference are the 'Dai' people who build the majority in this part of China. They look half Chinese, half Thai and have dark skin. We took the opportunity to visit one of the 'Dai' villages near Jinghong.



You would expect to find Thai food here. It took as questioning a lot of people to finally find the ONLY one Thai restaurant in Jinghong. It was packed - a lot of Westerners were there too. But the menu contained more Chinese dishes than Thai ones, and the Thai food we ordered wasnt at all authentic. But I doubt the Chinese tourists that come here to 'experience' Thailand wont notice the difference.