Victoria amazonica, also known as Victoria water lily, Giant water lily, Amazon water lily, or Royal water lily, is a star attraction of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG). Each summer, numerous tourists come to the garden to experience sitting on the huge leaves of Royal water lily as floating on a “leaf boat”. 

Thanks to care of the horticulturists and gardeners, the giant water lilies are growing very well at the aquatic garden of XTBG, reaching 2.10 meters in diameter on July 19, breaking the record of 1.92 meters a few days later. 

Talking about the good growth of the royal water lily, we’d like to mention a horticulturist named LIU Meng. He has ever experienced sitting on the huge leaf in 1982 and now he raises the wonderful plant up.  

LIU Meng’s parents are now retired members of XTBG. He was born in the garden and grown up here. With warm interest in the rich plants of Xishuangbanna, he came back to work in the garden after graduation. He works hard and grows the amazing plant to a record large of the garden. After about 40 years, he sits on the giant leaf grown by himself once more. Isn’t it amazing?  

Want to float on the leaf boat? Come and enjoy it! It’s the best time from July to October.  

Liu Meng (R) stting on Victoria water lily in 1982 in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden. 

Liu Meng stting on Victoria water lily in 2021 in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden. 

The pond of Victoria water lily  of XTBG 

The pond of Victoria water lily  of XTBG.