I spent the summer of 2009 working as a research assistant for a graduate student who wanted to know how converting rain forest to rubber plantation in Yunnan, China affects wildlife. We worked at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Gardens near Menglun, only a few hours away from the border of Laos. The amphibians and reptiles were incredible. I saw flying frogs and flying snakes and encountered all sorts of new genera I had never heard of before. I also learned never to leave valuable belongings near a window—even if it is locked shut—while you sleep. Below are some photos from the experience, most taken at the botanical gardens where we worked but a few others from markets and other parts of China.