The annual "Orchids in Nature" Exhibition of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) comes to its 12th event on April 10, 2025, coinciding with the Dai New Year and Water-Splashing Festival. The exhibition, themed "Orchids in Nature: Gifts from the Wild," showcases over 200 rare orchid species from around the globe and underscores decades of conservation efforts to protect these botanical treasures deeply rooted in local culture and ecology.

Prof. Xing Yaowu, director of XTBG, addressed the opening ceremony. He  stressed XTBG’s commitment to "lucid waters and lush mountains as invaluable assets", outlining a three-pronged strategy: scientific research, public education, and eco-tourism integration.

During the event, villagers shared success stories of orchid cultivation, while technicians distributed rare seedlings and care guidelines, reinforcing the "Dai Orchid Homeland" vision.

This year’s exhibition, held in the Shade Garden, features 10 thematic zones blending scientific innovation with artistic flair. Some special sections are as following:

Dendrobium conservation and utilization zone: Displaying 130 Dendrobium species, this area highlights XTBG’s breakthroughs in preserving this culturally and economically vital genus.

Dai Orchid Homeland: A showcase of orchids cultivated by local villagers, symbolizing their transformation into conservation stewards.

Peacock and Orchid Harmony: A vibrant fusion of tropical orchids and peacock motifs, embodying the interplay between nature and Dai culture.

Orchid Waterfall: A breathtaking display of golden Oncidium orchids cascading like a floral waterfall over rocks and tree trunks.

Butterfly Orchid Heart Gate: A heart-shaped arch adorned with Phalaenopsis orchids, symbolizing elegance and ecological hope.

Running until April 20, the exhibition also offers workshops on orchid conservation and sustainable practices.

Since 2017, XTBG has spearheaded the "Dai Orchid Homeland" initiative, collaborating with local villages to transition communities from orchid collectors to protectors. Through programs like "Orchids Enter Villages", the garden has distributed orchid seedlings, provided cultivation training, and encouraged villagers to showcase their nurtured plants at annual exhibitions.