Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden (The Garden is located in Calabash Island (Huludao in Chinese) of the Menglun town in Xishuangbannan. It was established in 1959 under the leadership of the well-known botanist Prof. Cai Xitao. Here is home to 1,500 kinds of tropical plants. Visitors can view many rare exotic and endangered plant species here; the dragon tree, the maytenwood, and the poisonous upas tree; the thirst-relieving " carriage-pole vine "; the " clock flower " that opens and closes along with the sunrise and sunset; the " dancing grass " that responds to sound; the " king lotus " (Royal Water Lily ) which can support a seated a 20- kilogram child on the water; the "mystery fruit" able to turn sour to sweet, then sweet to sour; and the "King of Tea Trees", which is said to be at least 800 years old. No wonder when people look on Xishuangbanna as a green gem, they do not forget to refer to the Botanical Garden as the highlight of the gem.
