Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden (XTBG) under the administration of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is surrounded by Luosuo River, a branch of Mekong River. The garden looks like a gourdshaped land area with a clear natural boundary extending to the east.  Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden has emphasized the exploitation, utilization and conservation of tropical plant resources, and carried out research on plant diversity conservation, ethnobotany, agroforestry, economic plant development etc. More than 3000 plant species have been collected and cultivated in about 20 living plant collections (plots), such as Palm Garden, Bamboo Garden, Shade Plants, Orchid Garden, Ethnobotanical and Cultural Garden, Arboretum and ex situ Conservation Collection of Rare and Endangered Plant species.

The Palm Garden is regarded as “the exhibition centre” of the botanic garden. There are 150 species of palms both local and exotic.

There are 136 species, subspecies and varieties of bamboos in the Bamboo garden. It is a base for collecting, conserving and studying the bamboo resources.

More than 400 species and varieties of tropical orchids and shade plants like ferns, gingers and aroids are planted in the Shade Plants and Orchid Garden.

About 1200 species of woody plants introduced from China and abroad are planted in the Arboretum. In addition, 23 species and varieties of rattans are also cultivated in this collection, using teak and others for support.

The Ex Situ Conservation Collection for Rare and Endangered Plants is part of the tropical rainforest. In the 90 ha area, there are about 2000 species and subspecies of tropical plants, 60 of which are nationally protected species.

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden harbours diverse tropical plants, beautiful natural landscapes, and a large area of forest vegetation. In order to spread scientific knowledge and methods of sustainable development, it has reconstructed and improved the facilities for scientific education, including addition of plant species, transformation and perfection of ethnic botanical garden, established Tropical Rainforest Landscape, Museum for Tropical rainforest and Ethnobotanical Cultures, improved a service centre for tourists, as well as the compilation and publication of pamphlets and video shows.