As the May Day holiday of 2014 approaches, Xishuangbanna Tropical Rainforest National Park in Yunnan has launched a special discount experience tour themed “Happy May Day Holiday, Enjoy the Coolness of WanTianshu.” This allows visitors from across the country to explore the magical and beautiful WanTianshu through land, water, and air experiences, challenge the thrilling canopy walkways, cross the picturesque rainforest bridges, and paddle along the idyllic “Amazon of the East” — the Nanla River — for a relaxing, delightful, and memorable May Day holiday. A host of colorful activities are not to be missed.
The activities are as follows:
(I). Admire the Flowers of WanTianshu, Feel the Connection Between You and Me
Date: Early May
Time: 8:30–17:00
Location: Canopy Walkway
Activity Content:
WanTianshu is an iconic tree species of the tropical rainforest, standing 70–80 meters tall with a diameter of 1.5–3 meters. It blooms every year from April to May, with flowers that are a mix of yellow and white. During the blooming period, the fragrance wafts throughout the park. While cherry blossom and rapeseed flower viewing are well known, who has ever admired the blossoms of a fifty- or sixty-meter-tall WanTianshu? What are you waiting for? During the May Day holiday, grab your camera or DV and get up close and personal with the flowers of WanTianshu to capture a unique feeling. Visitors who take photos of the WanTianshu blossoms and make a wish under the divine “Five-Finger Reaching the Sky” tree can enjoy a 20% discount — full of blessings and good wishes come true.
(II). Fortune-Turning Windmill Vine
Date: April 30 – May 4, 2014
Time: 8:30–17:00
Location: Canopy Walkway / Rainforest Bridge
Activity Content:
The beautiful May Day holiday coincides with the blooming of the windmill vine. Visitors can find beautiful windmill vine seeds along the tropical flower avenues or forest trails. The windmill vine is a large woody liana in the tropical rainforest, which can grow up to 30 meters long. Its seeds have three pairs of wings, with the middle pair being longer. When they fall from a height, they resemble parachutes, spinning down gracefully and beautifully.
The spinning windmill vine is considered a symbol of good fortune. During the event, visitors to WanTianshu can collect windmill vine seeds on their own or receive 3–5 free seeds from staff at the entrance of the canopy walkway or rainforest bridge. Carry them onto the aerial walkway, release them from the highest point, and watch them spin down — a symbol that good fortune and a happy life will unfold in the days to come.
(III). Rainforest Yoga
Date: April 30 – May 4, 2014
Time: 8:30–17:00
Location: Glass Walkway of the Rainforest Bridge / Swimming Pool
Activity Content:
Forest yoga is an oxygen-enriching fitness activity. Swimming or doing other exercises in the forest all fall under the category of forest yoga. Thousands of years ago in India, monks sought the highest state of harmony between man and nature by venturing into the wilderness, isolating themselves in deep forests, and meditating in silence — the earliest origin of yoga. In today’s fast-paced life, with high psychological stress, people practice yoga to move their bodies and regulate breathing, aiming to improve physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual states, achieving harmony between body, mind, and spirit.
During the event, the scenic area will provide free yoga mats on the natural bathing pool and the glass walkway of the rainforest bridge, allowing visitors to practice yoga in the tropical rainforest with high negative oxygen ion levels, enjoying a cool rainforest experience and a rejuvenating, lung-cleansing journey.
(IV). “Like” to Win Phone Credit Cards
Date: April 30 – May 4, 2014
During the event, follow the official WeChat and Weibo accounts of the WanTianshu Scenic Area, upload your beautiful photos and texts from the scenic area, and share them with your friends. Those who receive more than 100 likes will be rewarded with a 50-yuan phone credit card, while those who receive more than 300 likes will get a 150-yuan phone credit card. Please send the screenshot to the official WeChat or Weibo account to claim your prize.
(V). “Smart Tourism” Mobile Photography Contest
Date: April 30 – June 10, 2014
During the event, any visitor to the WanTianshu Scenic Area can use a mobile phone or tablet (entries must be taken with a mobile phone or tablet) to capture beautiful images of the ecological scenery, folk culture, and achievements of the scenic area’s “smart tourism” initiatives. The scenic area will compile and submit these entries to the second Mobile Photography Group contest of the China Tourism Attractions Association’s National Tourism Attractions Photography Competition. Winners may receive prizes such as attraction tickets, souvenirs, and free travel packages offered by the organizers.