Wild Elephant Valley

Introducing Wild Elephant Valley (from CGTN)
Hidden in a tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province is an elephant paradise. With the species under first-class state protection in China, wild Asian elephants mainly live in Xishuangbanna, as well as in Pu'er and Lincang, two cities also in Yunnan. The Wild Elephant Valley is China's first national theme park for the animal and it claims to be the only place in the world that offers visitors the chance to safely observe wild Asian elephants at close quarters.

Wild Elephant Valley Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Ye Xiang Gu 野象谷
• Best Time to Visit: October to next April
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 3-4 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Rain Forest, Wild Elephant
• Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY 65；CNY 50 RMB for one-way cableway / CNY 70 for round trip
• Address: Mengyang Nature Reserve, Jinghong, Xishuangbana Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province

What to expect at Wild Elephant Valley
There are more than 300 such elephants in the park, and visitors can also watch the elephants dance, walk on a single-plank bridge or play with balls using their trunks, besides intimate interactions with the giant animals. A pedestrian lane runs more than 4,000 meters through the tropical forest, ensuring close contact with the nature. An elephant museum there could help people who want to know more about the animal.

 

There are couples of must-see events await. One of them is the Elephant School. Visitors will have the chance to see how elephants learn to survive in the wild, as well as elephants taking physical classes and music classes. The other one is the Rain forest Theater, where many traditional folk dances from Xishuangbanna are performed every day here.

 

The valley is also the place for wild animals such as monkeys, wild buffalos, slowworm, butterfly, gibbon, sloth, hornbills, peacocks, macaque, etc. Lizards Garden is not only the wildlife exhibition area which favorites by tourists but also the shelter for lots of injured wildlife. Most of the animals that live here are rescued from the wild, including national protected animals such as pythons, king cobras, lizards, wild boars, etc.

How to get to Wild Elephant Valley
• Wild Elephant Valley is approximately 36 km away from Jinghong.
• Take a direct bus at Jinghong Bus Station or Xishuangbanna Passenger Transport Station to Wild Elephant Valley.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Xishuangbanna to Wild Elephant Valley.

Additional travel advice on Wild Elephant Valley
• Please wear sunscreen, hat and sunglasses to prevent UV.
• It is suggested to wear long-sleeved clothes or prepare mosquito repellent to prevent mosquito or bug bites in the rain forest.
• For your safety, do not make loud noises and keep a distance from the wild elephants.
• Wild Elephant Valley is arranged in a circular shape. Visitors can enter the scenic area from either the south gate or the north gate. The whole valley is connected through sky plank trestle, pedestrian walkway and tropical rain forest sightseeing rope-way. Thus tourists can take a 3-hour loop in the valley, and no need of backtrack.