BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Xishuangbanna is a Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan province. The climate is pleasant all of a year here. Due to its location near the ocean, it rains a lot and many forests grow here. It is the reason why Xishuangbanna has a reputation of "the Kingdom of Plants". In 1993, Xishuangbanna was named an international biosphere protection area.

It is home to a lot of ethnic groups here, such as Dai, Hani, Wa, etc. Xishuangbanna borders on Laos and Myanmar.

The Water-sprinkling Festival is New Year's Day for the Dai, and is the most important and grandest festival of the year. Dai people dip branches into the river and sprinkle the water onto others as a way to express their best wishes. In addition, the festivals of the Hani, Jino and Yao ethnic minorities are also delightful part of Xishuangbanna's ethnic customs.