5. Mengyuan Karst Landscape & XTBG Limestone Plant Conservation

Field Trips
实地考察

5. Mengyuan Karst Landscape & XTBG Limestone Plant Conservation

Karst Ecology Field Excursion

Practical Information

Dates: Available on July 3 2026

Duration: Full day

Departure time: 09:00

Travel time from Jinghong: Approx. 1–1.5 hours each way

Difficulty level: Easy to moderate walking

Maximum participants per group: 60

Additional groups may be organized depending on demand.

Fee: USD 90 per person (approx. RMB 600)

Fee includes

• Round-trip transportation

• Scientific guiding and interpretation

• Entrance access

• Lunch

• Dinner

Scientific Lead

XTBG Scientific Coordination Team

Academic Focus

This excursion explores tropical karst ecosystems in southern Yunnan and examines plant adaptation and conservation strategies associated with limestone landscapes. Participants will investigate karst geomorphology and subterranean ecological processes in the morning, followed by a focused session at XTBG on limestone-associated plant diversity and ex situ conservation frameworks.

Scientific Highlights

Tropical limestone (karst) geomorphology
Subterranean microclimate gradients
Vegetation adaptation to shallow and calcium-rich soils
Karst-endemic and calciphilous plant species
Integration of in situ habitat conservation and ex situ plant collections
Limestone ecosystem restoration strategies

What participants will experience

The morning session will take place within the Mengyuan karst landscape also known as Mengyuan Fairy Land Cave. Mengyuan karst landscape consists of a landscape rich in limestone and karst caves where the interior of the caves are paved and organized to offer a pleasant and vibrant visit. It is a well-known and must visit destination within the Xishuangbanna Prefecture. During this visit, the participants will examine limestone formations, cave-associated ecological niches, and vegetation adapted to rocky substrates. Interpretation will focus on geological formation processes, ecological specialization, and conservation challenges within karst systems.

In the afternoon, the group will visit XTBG’s limestone and specialized plant collections. Discussions will highlight plant adaptation mechanisms, ex-situconservation of karst-endemic species, and the role of botanical gardens in supporting habitat restoration and biodiversity resilience.