China's Wildest Border Town: The "Three-Side Slope" from Tales of the Frontier

Rising against chaos and adventuring into the unknown, the escapist fantasy mode never fails to stimulate viewers' dopamine secretion.

From August to September, the series *Bianshui Wangshi*, depicting the survival adventures of ordinary people abroad, became this year's dark horse in Chinese dramas with its raw, bold, and unflinching portrayal of intricate power dynamics. Bamboo huts, golden pagodas, dense forests—scenes steeped in Southeast Asian flair—left an indelible mark on viewers, leaving them yearning: "How wonderful it would be to visit Sanbianpo for skewers and drinks!"

This dream of avid viewers might soon come true with the approaching holidays, as the mysterious and perilous "Bianshui life" depicted in the series was largely filmed in—

Here, you’ll find the borderland charm of "Sanbianpo" without its chaos—a land of Dai烟火 (vibrancy) and mystical rainforests. The locals are exceptionally hospitable, with 13 indigenous ethnic groups embodying the proverb "A hedge between keeps friendship green"—especially when they douse you with water during the Songkran festival.

Xishuangbanna, meaning "Twelve Thousand Fields" in Dai language, flaunts its lush beauty and is also called "Mengbalanaxi"—a "utopia of ideals and wonders." Eternal summer, towering rainforest trees, pristine Dai villages, and exotic temple architecture mirror the series' addictive plot and chivalrous ethos.

Amid the show’s catchphrase—"Ni ke gan la yang? Jiu ma, shui ga!" (Yunnan dialect for "Heading to Ganla? Alcohol? Just water!")—you might lose yourself. Add a Dai dance at the bustling Starlight Night Market, and your work-induced lethargy will vanish instantly.

This rare "Sanbianpo" borderland vibe has reignited Xishuangbanna’s tourism boom. Now, let’s delve deeper into its secrets through the series’ lens.

"Bopang, Mopang, Sanbianpo"

Xishuangbanna, a border city brimming with ethnic allure and rainforest mystique, is China’s hidden trove of Southeast Asian charm.

When the opening shot of Shen Xing’s bus passing the Bomo border gate aired, locals chuckled: despite the fictional "Bomo script," the gate was unmistakably familiar. This is the "Dai Garden" in Ganlanba, Jinghong.

Built around five well-preserved Dai villages, it’s the go-to for experiencing local culture: delicate bamboo houses and ancient pagodas nestled in greenery, millennia-old calabash trees, blooming lotuses, and roadside jackfruits. Vendors in traditional garb greet you with palms pressed—a scene of serene simplicity, shattered only by April’s Songkran frenzy at the Water-Splashing Plaza.

This borderland aura permeates not just attractions but also Xishuangbanna’s villages and streets.

Uncle Cai’s "Daban" stronghold, with its grand bamboo architecture, piqued viewers’ curiosity. In reality, visit "Haha Homestead" in Manzhang Village, Mengyang Town, to see its prototype.

Stroll through this 500-year-old Dai village to admire stilted houses and reenact the show’s iconic line—"Ni wei la yang yao pian wo ma!" ("Why lie to me?")—while gripping bamboo railings.

Beyond architecture, Xishuangbanna’s streets blend ruggedness and rustic charm. The dimly lit tea scene between Shen Xing and cop Jue Xintun, filmed in Manyangguang Village, captures the perfect borderland vibe—quiet yet alive with烟火 (everyday bustle).

Ubiquitous temples and devotion, a standout in *Bianshui Wangshi*, also define Xishuangbanna’s Southeast Asian essence.

The gleaming silver pagoda where Dan Tuo threatens butcher Tisa is Manting Temple in Dai Garden—a photogenic yet underrated gem among Jinghong’s myriad temples.

The line "Stretch your hand too far, and it’ll get burned" lingers as Uncle Cai’s tea scene unfolds in Manting Park, adjacent to the ancient Dai royal palace. Nearby, the grand Zongfo Temple showcases pinnacle Dai architecture—multi-tiered eaves, vibrant ridges, and vivid reliefs.

Mengle Grand Temple, rebuilt on the ancient "Jingpiao Temple" site, offers panoramic views after climbing 3,000 steps. Others like Mangha Temple (Jinghong’s oldest) and Boruo Temple (with exquisite silver pagoda) each add to the spiritual tapestry.

Venture further, and Xishuangbanna delivers even rawer "borderland experiences."

The Mohan Port is located at the southernmost tip of Mengla, just a step away from the boundless dense forests of Laos; the Daluo Port lies in Menghai, separated by a river from Myanmar's famous tourist city, Xiaomengla. As you venture deeper along the border, you might encounter groups of people stationed in the forests, picking tea or harvesting rubber.

Many of these workers are hired from neighboring countries like Myanmar and Laos. They often choose to clear a patch of land in the remote mountains, bringing their families to set up tents and iron pots, staying for months. At night, there are no electric lights—only fire pits—and water must be carried by hand. This "primitive" lifestyle evokes the atmosphere of "Sanbian Slope" from *Bianshui Wangshi*.

Through observation and conversation, you’ll find they are not as wild and untamed as one might imagine. Their expressions are calm and reserved, reflecting their way of life. Standing in their camp, the reality of their existence blurs the line between Xishuangbanna and "Sanbian Slope"...

The primal rainforest showcases both grandeur and cruelty.

This southwestern border city exudes diverse charms—the rich cultures of the Dai, Hani, and Bulang ethnic groups, their distinctive architecture, tropical rainforests, and mist-shrouded springs—all bursting with the untamed wildness of the southern lands in every detail.

This wildness never rejects thorns or weeds, allowing all trees to grow thick and tall—this is the essence of Xishuangbanna's nature.

In the series, Shen Xing’s bamboo house embodies a serene and peaceful charm, a "haven" provided by the quiet and mysterious Nanyang River in Manzhang Village. Yet even the most tranquil places in Xishuangbanna have a wild side—its nature is a coexistence of grandeur and cruelty.

Here, banyan trees drop massive aerial roots that absorb moisture directly from the air, creating the spectacle of a "single tree forming a forest." These roots can also latch onto other tall trees, germinating and eventually "strangling" their hosts—a process that can last two centuries until only a hollow shell of aerial roots remains...

This wonder can be vividly observed in Mengla’s Sky Tree Scenic Area. Not far from the southern entrance lies the docking spot for Nanla River boat rides. A small golden-roofed pavilion stands out—fans of the show will recognize it as the place where Uncle Chai and Aisuo released fish. Along the Nanla River, we witness the intense "resource battles" in China’s only globally recognized tropical rainforest: towering trees, deciduous species, and shrubs occupying different heights, with the sky-piercing Sky Trees reigning supreme.

Here, nearly a hundred rare Sky Trees create a towering spectacle. On the "skywalk" built dozens of meters high amid Dipterocarpaceae trees—similar to Malaysia’s rainforests—we gain a unique perspective on the rainforest’s botanical wonders:

From afar, massive buttress roots resemble fortress walls, supporting the towering trees with structures up to 10 meters wide and tall. Up close, orchids, ferns, moss, and lichens grow epiphytically on other trees’ trunks. And, of course, the banyans’ "parasitic strangulation" is also on full display...

Xishuangbanna offers multiple routes for such primal exploration. In *Bianshui Wangshi*, Shen Xing uses "getting lost while hiking" as an excuse to swap counterfeit liquor in a forest warehouse. In reality, tropical rainforest trekking is a booming trend here. Well-developed spots like Mengla’s Mengyuan Wonderland feature not only rainforests but also rare karst caves and the chance to encounter Rafflesia. There’s also the primitive rainforest trek in Jinuo Mountain.

With enough time, visit the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences—the world’s largest outdoor plant conservation and display garden, both a research facility and a 5A-rated scenic area. Don’t miss the giant Victoria water lilies, whose leaves can support a 150-pound adult.

Xishuangbanna’s wonders extend to rare wildlife—about 250 of China’s 300 wild Asian elephants reside here. It’s also the last refuge for the 2-meter-tall, 1-ton gaur, and one of the few places to spot the critically endangered white-cheeked gibbon on the IUCN Red List...

Animals, dense forests, the Mekong River, the Nanla River—Xishuangbanna’s wildness reenacts the series’ grandeur and cruelty in nature’s raw form.

Xishuangbanna’s jungles constantly embody primal wildness.

Photo / Xiong Wang, Image courtesy / SEE Foundation

In *Bianshui Wangshi*, alongside the catchy Yunnan dialect, you’ll hear accents from across China—just like in Xishuangbanna.

According to Yunnan’s official media, Xishuangbanna welcomed 62.096 million tourists in 2023—nearly 50 times its resident population of 1.33 million! Why do so many love it? Beyond border charm and stunning nature, it’s the inclusive vibrancy of daily life.

The Golden Emerald Karaoke in *Bianshui Wangshi* is where characters unwind. Its filming location near the Mekong Jinglan Hotel’s Gaozhuang Xishuangjing mirrors Xishuangbanna’s relaxed vibe. This tourist hub condenses local flavors and snacks, especially at the Starlight Night Market—where Dai BBQ, Laotian iced coffee, Thai paratha, and Vietnamese rolls mingle with bars and clubs. Dancing to Dai-style beats here is the ultimate holiday relaxation.

Visiting the filming locations of "Ma Yang" in Manga Village, Gasa Town, the "Night Market Street" in Menghai Old Street, and the riverside heart-to-heart talk between Jincui and Shenxing in Dai Water Town, you can experience the most natural living environment and lifestyle of the locals—whether through Menghai roast chicken, wrapped grilled fish, oil-fried heart tubes, or the photogenic brick-red characteristic architecture.

The local people maintain their own rhythm of life in villages shaded by towering ancient trees and vast rubber plantations. For instance, in the thousand-year-old Mandiu Village, the traditional Dai morning market from 8 AM to 12 PM offers piles of cheap yet juicy dragon fruits, mangoes, durians, and jackfruits. Even the small "baogu" (local corn) is irresistibly fragrant and sticky, allowing you to experience authentic Dai life.

Meanwhile, after years of development, Xishuangbanna has built solid tourist reception capabilities. For example, the filming location of Chairman Chen's "Xianglong International" at the Sunac Xishuangbanna International Resort and the border town of Shahe, where Tantuo buys a house, provide comfortable travel experiences. As a result, many outsiders are drawn to settle here, hoping to "get some money."

One reason for Xishuangbanna's inclusiveness is its specialty, Pu'er tea, which has connected the north and south for centuries. The wild ecology, numerous tea mountains, and diverse flavors of Pu'er here are unparalleled among tea-producing regions. Centuries ago, the Tea Horse Road began here, stretching along the Jinsha, Lancang, and Nujiang Rivers, across the Hengduan Mountains to the Tibetan Plateau, and onward to India and even farther to West Asia and East Africa.

In "Bian Shui Wang Shi," Pu'er tea appears repeatedly. Even the popular character Wang An "Qian" makes his debut at the Menghai Manhe Tea Market. The story is set around 2009, and in the plans of international volunteer Justin and Uncle Chai, Pu'er tea is a key to improving livelihoods. Indeed, in the past decade, Pu'er tea has enriched many in Xishuangbanna, especially in places like Menghai's Bulang Mountain and Mengla's Yiwu, transforming small villages into clusters of surrealistic Western-style buildings.

This cultural diversity and boundless produce allow locals to showcase their untamed and vibrant way of life in every gesture—even the boundaries between all things blur. Half-meter-long lizards dart past highways, wild elephants occasionally roam farmlands, and livestock roam free. As visitors describe it: "Chickens have no coops, pigs have no pens, cows have no fences, dogs have no chains—no shouts or whips."

Here, there is only the upward surge of life from the earth, a true "golden nest."