Jinhong

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I am in an area of Yunnan called Xishuangbanna (and they do grow bananas here). It is completely different to Shangri La. It is subtropical so there is bamboo, rice, tea, palms and jungle. Jinhong is the capital of the area, but it is not too big. I was easily able to walk to my destination, the medicinal plants garden. Despite the entrance fee it does not seem to be a popular tourist site. I shared the garden with a few locals riding their bikes or jogging. There were a few notices in English explaining the medicinal purpose of some of the plants, but I enjoyed the garden for its own sake. It was a little bit like walking in a big glass house because the plants were ones we see only In places like Kew gardens glasshouses. The elegant garden of different palm trees was enjoyable and it was quite surprising to see the cactus collection, because there is so much rain.

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