园区概况
中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园系著名植物学家蔡希陶教授领导下于1959年创建，是集科学研究、物种保存、科普教育和科技开发为一体的综合性研究机构。园区占地面积约1125公顷，收集活植物12000多种，建有38个植物专类区，保存有一片面积约250公顷的原始热带雨林，是我国面积最大、收集物种最丰富、植物专类园区最多的植物园，也是世界上户外保存植物种数和向公众展示的植物类群数最多的植物园。2011年7月荣膺国家5A级旅游景区。
历史沿革
1959年创建，原名”中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园”。1970年7月经国务院批准更名为”云南省热带植物研究所”。1978年3月经国务院批准更名为”中国科学院云南热带植物研究所”。1987年1月恢复现名。1998年底首批成为中国科学院知识创新工程试点单位之一。
科研机构设置
版纳植物园现设有植物学、生态学和生物工程三个专业二级学科硕士研究生培养点，生态学、植物学两个专业二级学科博士研究生培养点，并设有生物学专业一级学科博士后流动站。下设2个中国科学院重点实验室（热带森林生态学重点实验室、热带植物资源可持续利用重点实验室）、综合保护中心、公共技术服务中心、27个研究组，以及标本与种质保存中心、3个野外台站（西双版纳热带雨林生态系统研究站、哀牢山森林生态系统研究站、元江干热河谷生态站）等研究支撑部门。
科研成就与国际地位
版纳植物园是世界上户外保存植物种数最多的植物园，学科方向涵盖保护生物学、森林生态系统生态学和资源植物学。园区开展了大量国际合作研究，在全球热带植物研究领域享有盛誉，是国内外知名的热带植物研究中心和科普教育基地。
Overview
The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was founded in 1959 under the leadership of renowned botanist Professor Cai Xitao. It is a comprehensive research institution integrating scientific research, species conservation, science education, and technology development. Covering approximately 1,125 hectares, the garden houses more than 12,000 living plant species across 38 specialized plant areas, including approximately 250 hectares of primary tropical rainforest. It is China’s largest botanical garden in terms of area, species collection, and number of specialized gardens, as well as the botanical garden with the highest number of plant species preserved outdoors and displayed to the public worldwide. In July 2011, it was rated as a national 5A-level tourist scenic spot.
Historical Development
Founded in 1959 as the “Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,” it was renamed “Yunnan Institute of Tropical Plants” in July 1970 by State Council approval. In March 1978, it was renamed “Kunming Institute of Botany, Yunnan Tropical Plants” by State Council approval. In January 1987, it restored its current name. By the end of 1998, it became one of the first pilot units of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Knowledge Innovation Program.
Research Institutions
XTBG currently offers master’s programs in Botany, Ecology, and Bioengineering, as well as doctoral programs in Ecology and Botany. It also has a postdoctoral research station in Biology. The garden houses two CAS key laboratories (CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, CAS Key Laboratory of Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Plant Resources), a Comprehensive Conservation Center, a Public Technology Service Center, 27 research groups, a Specimen and Germplasm Conservation Center, and three field stations (Xishuangbanna Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem Research Station, Ailao Mountain Forest Ecosystem Research Station, and Yuanjiang Dry-hot Valley Ecosystem Research Station).
Research Achievements and International Standing
XTBG is the botanical garden with the highest number of plant species preserved outdoors in the world. Its disciplinary directions cover conservation biology, forest ecosystem ecology, and resource botany. The garden has conducted extensive international cooperative research and enjoys a high reputation in the global tropical plant research community, serving as a renowned tropical plant research center and science education base both domestically and internationally.
