Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
In its own language: 中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园
A major tropical botanical garden and research centre in southern Yunnan, China
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is a large botanical garden and research institute in Mengla County, Yunnan, China. Founded in 1959, it preserves over 13,000 species of tropical plants in 35 living collections and leads research on plant conservation and ecology.
- Home to over 13,000 species of tropical plants
- Founded in 1959 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Covers 1,125 hectares in southern Yunnan
- Leads the Chinese Union of Botanic Gardens
- Hosts major research on tropical plant conservation
What is Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden?
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is a vast garden and research centre in southern Yunnan, China. It covers 1,125 hectares and holds more than 13,000 species of tropical plants, arranged in 35 living collections. Visitors can see a wide range of tropical plant families and genera, with displays that show the diversity of rainforest flora. The garden also houses research labs, a herbarium, and a seed bank, making it both a public garden and a scientific institution.
The history of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
The garden was founded in 1959 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Its location in Xishuangbanna was chosen for its tropical climate, which supports a rich variety of plant life. Over time, it has grown into a leading centre for tropical plant research and conservation in China. The garden now leads the Chinese Union of Botanic Gardens and works with partners around the world. It has expanded its research facilities and set up an important division in Kunming, Yunnan's capital.
What there is to see
The garden is organised into 35 living collections, each focusing on different groups of tropical plants. These collections are maintained by staff and researchers, who also manage a herbarium and a seed bank for rare and endangered species. The grounds include research laboratories and field stations for studying forest ecosystems. Visitors can explore themed areas and see plants from many tropical regions.
When to go
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is open to visitors and serves as a centre for education, research, and conservation. Scientists study plant diversity, ecology, and sustainable use of resources here. The garden also hosts international conferences and collaborates with institutions worldwide. Throughout the year, students, researchers, and tourists come to learn about tropical plants and conservation efforts.
Parts and collections
The garden's collections represent over 301 plant families and 2,110 genera, showcasing the diversity of tropical flora. It includes rare and endangered species, as well as plants important for research in ecology and conservation. The garden also manages field research stations and an extension in Jingdong Subtropical Botanical Garden.
Why Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden matters
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden is recognised as a top tourist attraction in China and is known as a 'Noah's arc for tropical plant conservation.' It plays a key role in plant research and education, and its work has received awards and recognition at the ministerial and provincial level. The garden is a leader in international collaboration and plant conservation in Asia.
Questions people ask about Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
Where is Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden located?
It is in Mengla County, Xishuangbanna, in southern Yunnan Province, China. The garden is situated at about 21°55' N, 101°15' E.
What can visitors see at the garden?
Visitors can explore 35 living collections with more than 13,000 species of tropical plants, as well as research facilities, a herbarium, and a seed bank.
When was the garden established?
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden was founded in 1959 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
What is the main focus of the garden?
The garden focuses on biodiversity conservation, research on tropical plant ecology, and sustainable use of plant resources. It also leads national and international collaborations.
How large is the garden?
The garden covers an area of 1,125 hectares, making it one of the largest tropical botanical gardens in China.
Good reading and sources
- Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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