#Wild elephant valley Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
#1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Jinghong
Nature Reserves
Address:
Sancha River, Mengyang Town, Jinghong City, 36 km from Jinghong City
Opening times:
Opens at 08:00-18:00(Tickets available until 16:30; admission ends at 16:30)Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
3-5 hours
Phone:
0691-2431024,0691-2431040
Xishuangbanna Elephant Valley 🐘
Getting There - You need to hire a driver from Xishuangbanna as the Elephant Valley is a little out of the way !
Attractions - wild elephants!! There’s a high deck over the jungle so you can watch elephants in their natural habitat!
Hotels - many hotels available in Xishuangbanna.
Food & Restaurants - Tons of Thai and streets food available at the night market.
Shopping - definitely check out the night market in Xishuangbanna #newyearadventure
newyearadventure
ShaiFromSouthAfrica
Wild Elephants Valley
Wild Elephants Valley is located 115 km away from downtown of Xishuanbanna. The road will take at around 50 minutes by taxi.
Entrance fee- 60 rmb + 50 rmb for the cable car.
First, by the entrance you will see the place where you can feed the elephant (80 rmb for the big basket with fruit and vegetables), and a spot where you can ride the elephant or watch the show.
Then m, you go inside the park, to the cable car. The trip by cable car will take 30 minutes.
Finally, after the ride, you will walk all around the park and observe elephants in their natural place of living.
In the park there is also an art school. There you can paint and create your own elephant statue for good memory :)
#newyearadventure
newyearadventure
S_lanaS
Amongst Nature...🐘
Any trip to Xishuangbanna wouldn't be complete without a trip to Wild Elephant Valley. To get here, you will need a private car. Therefore, you have two viable options....either hiring a driver or just renting a car. The drive from town is around an hour or so, as the entrance is located on a mountain, however it is advised to combine this trip with another place to save on time.and money. We went to a place in the morning, and here in the afternoon. Because it is rainforest, I would recommend coming mid to late afternoon, as it is cooler weather. This place is huge and the cable car journey is fantastic, it is a long cable car, over 30 minutes upto the scenic spot. Here you can see the beautiful lush rainforest plants and flowers along with the wild animals, including monkeys and elephants. We were lucky to glimpse wild elephants as soon as we arrived! Coming back down the mountain, it is great to walk down, as it is great exercise and takes around 1 hour. An amazing place to visit and great to see these animals protected and in their natural environment. Highly recommend!
##tripblazers #mytripvlog #2023travelwish
tripblazers
mytripvlog
TheTravelShow
loving elephants
the cable car is really long and so peaceful. Go early and then it’s just you and nature. take the walk back and maybe you will see the wild elephants if you are lucky. I loved feeding the elephants- I hope they are always treated well. they are such kind animals. be careful when you have your basket of fruit in your hand because people around you take the fruit out of your basket. I don’t like the riding of the elephants. #xishuangbanna #wildelephantvalley
xishuangbanna
wildelephantvalley
Taryn
Butterfly Conservatory in the Elephant Valley
The wild elephant Valley in xishuangbanna ended up being a little bit of a let down because we didn't actually see any of the wild elephants. We did see the elephants in the show areas and got the opportunity to feed them some fruit which was cool.
The rest of the forest valley park was still spectacular, the primeval forest was awesome and there were a lot of other animals to see such as reptiles, insects and butterflies.
The butterfly house was really cool, they have a few different types of butterflies, some are very big and some look almost exactly like a leaf when they close their wings. They also had an area with hatching chrysalises.
Domeld
Wild Elephant Valley - Xishuangbanna
This scenic site is very famous. Here’s some information:
“Elephant Valley is covered by tropical rain forests, crisscrossed by rivers and streams, and teeming with such endangered species as Asian wild elephants, wild oxen, green peacocks and monkeys.
China’s wild elephant can only be found in the tropical forest in Xishuangbanna, while Wild Elephant Valley is the very place where you many find wild Asian Elephants much easier and more frequently. It is recorded that, there are about 130 wild Asian Elephant living in this region.”
To be honest, my experience at Elephant Valley was OK. We didn’t see any elephants (which is fine since it’s their natural habitat). The cable car is quite long (it will take you about 40 minutes). Altogether it’s a nice park but definitely do not have super high expectations or you might feel a bit disappointed.
#ThisIsChina
#china #elephants ##yunnan #jinghong #xishuangbanna #scenicspotguide #naturalwonders
thisischina
china
Isa in 中国
Wild elephants or zoo elephants?
First, going to this park requires a little bit of travel planning. We arrived by didi which was very easy... but leaving was difficult because there were no drivers near the park closing time. We paid 60RMB for admission ticket and 50RMB for 1 way cable car. I’d recommend going to the elephant school first, then going to the cable car. You will walk a strenuous 2.3 miles or 3.7 km if you go to the cablecar first. TRUST ME ON THIS. You can feed the elephants and take pictures sitting on top of one. We opted out of the second options for moral reasons. In my opinion the elephants seemed very tired and I felt uneasy watching the show. If you’re an animal lover I’d skip watching the show altogether. ALSO, they have an elephant museum where they used real elephant skin. It was very disturbing to see. I’d definitely skip that as well animal lovers. I read in many reviews that people didn’t see any wild elephants, but I was lucky enough to catch them near the water walking in a herd.
首先,去这个公园需要一点点的旅行计划。我们乘坐滴滴到达,非常容易...但离开很困难,因为公园关闭时间附近没有司机。我们支付了60张门票,50辆单程缆车。我建议先去大象学校,然后去缆车。如果您先去缆车,您将艰苦地步行2.3英里或3.7公里。相信我。您可以喂大象并坐在大象上面拍照。出于道德原因,我们选择退出第二种选择。在我看来,大象似乎很累,看着这个节目我感到不安。如果你是一个动物爱好者,我会完全跳过看这个节目。此外,他们有一个大象博物馆,他们使用了真正的大象皮。看到非常令人不安。我肯定会跳过它以及动物爱好者。我在许多评论中读到,人们没有看到任何野生大象,但我很幸运地在水边看到它们在一群大象中行走。
AUSA
Wild Elephant Park
This park was so cool! When you are in this park, you are really walking through the rain forest. we got to see a gibbon, some bees, and a really huge spider! You should take the cable car high above the canopies to the top of the park first and get some lovely views. once at the top, spend the next hour, or so, wandering down the elevated walkway and passing by a lot of nature in the meantime. The elephants here are wild, so you’re not guaranteed to see them - which is good, because that means they’re doing well on their own and don’t need so much help from people. Even if you don’t see any elephants, there’s so much more flora and fauna for you to experience.
Linzyay
Wild Elephant valley in Xishuangbanna
🚌40 minutes driving from Jinghong city you will find this amazing park. There is a shuttle bus from the tourist city (告庄西双景) to the park.
💰 The shuttle bus is 45 RMB and the entrance of the park it's 120 RMB if you take the cable way.
🖼️The itinerary is a circle. We took the cable way to go up and then we walked down to the south gate. The walk was around 50 mins and was really beautiful.
🐒In the park you can see beautiful butterflies and monkeys easily. Unfortunately we didn't say any wild elephant.
🐘 We saw elephants though, because in the main entrance is the Elephant's school and there you can ride an elephant or feed it. We feed an elephant for 20 RMB. Also at 12:00 there is an elephant show.
🇨🇳CHINESE NAME: 野象谷
#summervacation
summervacation
AlexO
#tripaway we went to visit the beautiful wild elephant valley in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. it’s a place located around 20 to 25 minutes from the city Center by car. in the place you can admire and even interact with these sweet and smart animals. you can also admire a wonderful botanical garden and other species such as snakes and butterflies! #xishuangbanna #yunnan #yunnantravel #yunnanprovince
#tripaway
tripaway
xishuangbanna
RafaelSaavedra
In the Wild Elephant Valley, you can watch the trained elephant performances during the day, and you can see the real wild elephants from the forest to the night. Sometimes, when the sky is still dark, there are wild elephants walking around the elevated corridor, and seeing the visitors still stop for a moment, and look at these "uninvited guests".
Sometimes several groups of wild elephants will appear in the valley at the same time. The screams of the elephants driving each other come and go, making the distant arrivals of the first arrivals tremble. Most elephants don't panic, even if they are in the face of tourists, they are still leisurely foraging.
Wild Elephant Valley, as the name suggests, is just to see the elephant, but it is not. The valleys are sloping and sloping, and the forests are dense, which breeds a variety of rare animals. In addition to wild elephants, bison, green peacock, jumbo, python, hornbill, porpoise, macaque, black bear, pangolin, big civet and a large number of butterflies, birds and amphibians are inhabited here. The scenic area also has an elevated corridor, a tree hotel, a forest bar and other facilities for visiting the walking trails and for visitors to watch the wild elephant activities.
The magic of nature is not only the carving of the beautiful scenery, but also the infatuation of the best craftsmen who can't think of copying. It is not only about the breeding of various animals, but also beautiful or cute or stupid, big or small or carnivorous or scribbled, or gregarious or lone, is a natural rule, so that it includes people The animals inside can only proliferate and live forever. The magic of nature is also the nourishment of all kinds of plants.
Adam Yue.
Wild Elephant Valley in Xishuangbanna
The experience of learning about elephant habits in Wild Elephant Valley is not very good.
There are so many people, and children have to squeeze into a corner just to see the elephants.
Queue up for the cable car to the top, where you can see a small family group of elephants.
Very lucky, there happened to be a baby elephant that was just over a month old.
So cute.
If you continue on the cable car, you can only return the same way by taking the cable car back.
For those of us who are afraid of heights but want to challenge ourselves with kids in tow,
we decisively chose to walk, and indeed it was the right choice .
Along the way, we saw sloths, saw owls,
possibly a member of the park's performance staff,
but it was also an eye-opener, after all, we've only seen them once .
Tired but happy all the way.
Walking and stopping, it took two hours to return to the restaurant for an elephant meal.
So tired that I just drank water .
🌟 Highlights:
Riding the cable car was a bit scary, but very happy, the scenery of the primeval forest is really extraordinary .
📝 Tips:
Be sure to prepare sugar, chocolate, electrolyte water, etc.
JamesonBrennan56
Celebrating the Water-Splashing Festival and releasing sky lanterns
❤️ Finally arrived at the long-awaited Xishuangbanna‼️
🌴 Visiting Xishuangbanna this season is truly a worthwhile investment, even if it's not for the Water-Splashing Festival. The stunning environment and delicious food are also reasons for our trip. Especially during this time, the weather is particularly cool and comfortable, not too hot
🚗 Sharing the itinerary
✈️ On the first day, we took a plane to Xishuangbanna, where staff picked us up and took us to the hotel. In the evening, we went to the Starlight Night Market to buy Dai clothing and take photos
🐎 On the second day, I went to the Wild Elephant Valley with friends in the morning and saw Asian wild elephants! We explored the rainforest with the elephants and took many photos. After tasting the elephant meal at noon, we took a car to the Primitive Forest Park! We watched the toe-clipping dance and peacock flying, and those who are brave can experience jungle leaping, 21 projects in 2 hours! Very exciting.
⛲️ The third day was a day full of Dai culture, wearing Dai clothing to Manting Park for photos! The photo success rate was absolutely amazing, and my friends and I walked around all morning, taking photos wherever we went! It is recommended for sisters to wear Dai clothing and just come to Manting Park, as the Total Buddha Temple and Manting Park have a joint ticket, and the scenery is very nice
🐈 On the fourth day in the morning, we checked in at the Dai village. The driver strongly suggested we come here to take a look! The village architecture is very distinctive, and the asphalt roads are very clean! Just casually taking photos is very photogenic, we had coffee here, very comfortable! In the afternoon, we went to the Dai Nationality Garden, where you can feel the lively atmosphere of the Water-Splashing Festival every day at the water-splashing square
🚄 On the fifth day, we could return home. Before leaving, we experienced an authentic Thai massage, and after the massage, I felt much more relaxed both physically and mentally!
AdventureLover
Xishuangbanna Elephant School
The Elephant School is the first elephant school in China, located in the Wild Elephant Valley, which is the performance venue we are currently in. The "school" has a total of 10 elephants, with the oldest being 33 years old and the youngest 9 years old. In the school, there are 2 elephant shows every afternoon, lasting half an hour. The staff is now introducing the basic situation of the Asian elephant, and according to the introduction, elephants are very intelligent animals, their intelligence is equivalent to that of a 6-year-old child.
Following the anticipation of the people, the elephants make a shining entrance. Several elephants, led by their "teacher", line up head to tail, with the following elephants holding the tail of the elephant in front with their trunks and circling the venue to greet everyone. Then, the performance of spinning hula hoops, kicking footballs, finding food, and raising the "school flag" begins. Finally, four elephants stand in four directions to take a bow, lifting their front right foot and continuously nodding their heads. Respectfully, they bid farewell to the audience as they leave.
TravelConnoisseur
Yunnan's April Water-Splashing Festival, a must-not-miss journey of mass revelry
Yunnan Water-Splashing Festival April Travel Guide:
🌟 The Water-Splashing Festival, as the grandest traditional festival of the Dai people, is held in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, in mid-April every year. Here is a detailed travel guide for the Water-Splashing Festival in April to help you fully experience this joyful and blessed festival.
📍 Day One: Arrive in Xishuangbanna
- Morning: Arrive at Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport and proceed to the hotel for check-in.
- Noon: Taste Dai cuisine at a nearby restaurant, such as bamboo tube rice, pineapple rice, etc.
- Afternoon: Visit Gaozhuang Xishuangjing to familiarize yourself with the environment and learn about the Water-Splashing Festival's schedule.
- Evening: Stroll through the night market, purchase equipment needed for the Water-Splashing Festival, such as water guns, waterproof bags, etc.
📍 Day Two: Water-Splashing Festival Day
- Morning: Attend the opening ceremony of the Water-Splashing Festival and feel the enthusiasm and joy of the Dai people.
- Noon: Have lunch at a restaurant near Gaozhuang Xishuangjing, getting ready for the afternoon's water fight.
- Afternoon: Participate in the water fight, experiencing this joyful and blessed traditional activity.
- Evening: Attend the closing ceremony of the Water-Splashing Festival and enjoy the Dai ethnic song and dance performances.
📍 Day Three: Touring Surrounding Attractions
- Morning: Visit the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and admire a variety of exotic plants.
- Noon: Have lunch at a restaurant near the botanical garden and rest for a while.
- Afternoon: Go to Wild Elephant Valley to observe the living habits of wild Asian elephants.
- Evening: Return to the hotel to rest, preparing for departure the next day.
🌈 Tips:
- Book hotels in advance to ensure enough rooms.
- Pay attention to weather changes, prepare suitable clothing and sun protection.
- Respect local culture and customs, and follow the rules of the Water-Splashing Festival.
- Be mindful of safety to avoid accidents during the water-splashing.
- If possible, learn about the specific dates and schedule of the Water-Splashing Festival in advance.
OrionShadowrider64
Wild Elephant Valley
Wild Elephant Valley is located in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and is a central gathering place for wild Asian elephants. Of the more than 300 wild elephants in China, about 250, belonging to over 40 elephant families, are active in the area around Wild Elephant Valley.
Wild Elephant Valley Guide Map (Image 2)
Our tour route: South Gate - Elevated Elephant Viewing Walkway Phase I - Elevated Elephant Viewing Walkway Phase II (round trip) - Asian Elephant Museum - North Gate, the whole journey is on foot
After entering from the South Gate, you will pass through the Snake and Lizard Garden, Butterfly Garden, and Hundred Birds Garden, etc. Our focus is on wild elephants, so we did not stay too long and went straight to the Elephant Viewing Walkway.
Phase I of the Elevated Elephant Viewing Walkway, from the Hundred Birds Garden to the Asian Elephant Museum, is about 920 meters long and was constructed starting in 2010.
On the walkway, I saw the backside of a wild elephant (Image 3), and then it disappeared (I heard from people ahead that a group of elephants had just passed by, feeling very regretful and worried that I wouldn't see them today).
Wild monkeys on the mountain (Image 4)
Lazy monkey (Image 5), indeed lazy, didn't move at all for a long time, finally managed to capture a frontal shot
Suddenly discovered a solitary wild elephant, and felt that the trip was worthwhile (Image 6)
The first time observing wild elephants from such a close distance (Images 7~8)
Later, I arrived at the Asian Elephant Museum and carefully compared the exhibited photos of wild elephants, preliminarily identifying this solitary elephant as 'Bamboo Shoot Tooth'.
Phase II of the Elevated Elephant Viewing Walkway, from the Asian Elephant Museum to the Elephant Viewing Platform, is 1360m long and was put into use in 2017.
Not long after walking on Phase II of the Elevated Elephant Viewing Walkway, excitedly discovered a group of wild elephants (Image 9)
Counted them, it was a family of seven (Image 10)
Started the 'chase' for elephants on the walkway (Image 11)
The first batch of two leading elephants preparing to cross the river (Image 12)
Surprisingly, they didn't wade directly through the water but walked along a small path in the middle of the river (Image 13). Such a large size, walking so steadily, unbelievable.
The second batch, two adults and one juvenile, began to cross the river (Image 14)
The last batch, one adult and one juvenile, the little one seemed very playful, being chased by the adult (Image 15)
The little one fell into the water and was pushed up by the big one's trunk (Image 16)
The white-cheeked gibbon rescued and sheltered by Wild Elephant Valley (Image 17), has seen many tourists and is no longer afraid of people.
Asian Elephant Museum (Image 18), the museum covers an area of 800 square meters, with the theme of popularizing knowledge about Asian elephants, and has four exhibition halls.
Wild Asian elephants active in Wild Elephant Valley (Image 19)
Mangjing Ancient Village (Image 20), a Dai ethnic village, the temporary parking lot for Wild Elephant Valley is set up nearby. Due to time constraints, I didn't have time to visit this village.
PS:
1. Seeing wild elephants really depends on luck; many people come several times and don't see them. Generally speaking, January to March each year is the time when wild Asian elephants are most likely to appear, especially in the morning.
2. It is essential to walk the entire Elevated Elephant Viewing Walkway, especially Phase II, where the chances of seeing wild elephants are even greater.
3. During the Spring Festival peak period, the temporary parking lot for Wild Elephant Valley is arranged at Mangjing Ancient Village (exit of Mengyang Highway), about 10 kilometers from Wild Elephant Valley, with free shuttle buses provided for round trips.
4. Personally, I think there is no need to take the sightseeing cable car in Wild Elephant Valley; if you do spot wild elephants, you can't stop anyway, so it's better to enjoy the freedom on the Elevated Elephant Viewing Walkway.
5. There are many other things to see and do in Wild Elephant Valley, depending on personal preferences. But it is recommended to visit the Asian Elephant Museum to learn a lot about Asian elephants.
JORDYN BENSON
Special forces college students spend two days and one night in Xishuangbanna
Special forces college students spend two days and one night in Banna! Only 500 per person!
|||️ The game strategy does not include airfare!! Only food, accommodation, and transportation!!!
Besides Wild Elephant Valley, the distances between these attractions are not far. Generally speaking, taxis are taxis
It's cheaper to buy plane tickets and hotels together in the software!
Many photographers will ask if you want to take pictures, be sure to ask the price, be aware of hidden costs, and protect yourself!
Attraction Wild Elephant Valley 30 student tickets!! You can get close to the elephants, feed them, but the food needs to be purchased there, it depends on your personal needs. There is also a wild elephant science exhibition, where you can learn about the living habits and characteristics of wild elephants, getting close to them you can really feel they are big, but they are all very gentle.
Manting Park's backyard is known as the Dai King️, with a 40-ticket, you can see a lot of tropical plants and small animals, the architecture is very unique, the trees are very tall, the sun falling through the leaves is really beautiful! Here, you can see many tourists wearing Dai ethnic costumes taking pictures. Dai costumes can be bought in advance at the Starlight Night Market, a set for 51 is very cheap!
Starlight Night Market, the largest night market in Asia, is surrounded by the Mekong River in an arch shape, with the theme of the Big Golden Buddha. There are many vendors selling a variety of things, including tropical fruits, clothing, and handicrafts, as well as the Six-Country Water Market, which is mainly bars. Many young girls take pictures here, a good place to take night scenes!
Jinghong Big Golden Pagoda The central point of the Gaozhuang Shuangjing scenic area is a big golden pagoda, next to it are three temples dedicated to three Bodhisattvas. It is a representative building of Southern Buddhism, shining with golden light. Behind it is the Starlight Night Market, the entrance is free, but there are requirements for clothing, you need to dress neatly, and those with revealing clothes cannot enter. If you want to enter the hall, you need to donate 30 pounds.
🥯 Food Wild Mushroom Steam Pot Princess
Of course, when you come to Yunnan, you should try fresh mushrooms. The soup cooked with various mushrooms is fresh and delicious, the creamy yellow thick soup is very appetizing, and there are several kinds of mushrooms, such as hand green and lion's mane mushroom. The shop carefully places a timer to ensure that the mushrooms are cooked. After eating, you won't 'jump the villain'. Don't worry! A double set meal for over 100 can be satisfying!
Dai Princess Peacock Banquet River View Restaurant
Experiencing a peacock banquet with ethnic characteristics is a peacock banquet🦚 with a display shape, deep blue peacock-shaped head, noble and mysterious, the body is made of various dishes, such as hand-grabbed rice, Dai grilled chicken, grilled fish, pineapple rice, etc., with high cost performance.
EmmaMcKenzie78
Dai Ethnic Frenzy! The Splendid Water-Splashing Festival of Xishuangbanna Kicks Off, Immerse Yourself in a Five-Day Four-Night Journey to a Hidden Paradise
Lift the veil of the tropical rainforest and head to a vibrant ethnic celebration! In Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, under the blue sky, white clouds, and lush greenery🌈, a visual and cultural feast is unfolding from March to April—the 2024 Water-Splashing Festival🎊 is about to start with enthusiasm! This is not just a nature adventure🏞️, but also a unique journey of immersive experience in Dai folk customs, laughter, and cool battles💦. Let's travel to this earthly paradise now and feel the charm of Xishuangbanna💕!
【Itinerary and Scenic Spot Traffic Rewrite】
🔥【5-Day 4-Night Magical Journey Plan】
🍃D1: Adventure in Wild Elephant Valley, stroll in Gaozhuang Xishuang, pray at the Jinghong Golden Pagoda, and enjoy the starlit night market🍜
🍃D2: Green outing in Manting Park🌿, visit the Grand Buddha Temple, pilgrimage to Mengle Great Buddha Temple, indulge in Dai Show, revelry at the riverside water-splashing square💃
🍃D3: Deep experience in Dai Ethnic Garden, explore the botanical kingdom of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, challenge climbing to the top of the Sky-Viewing Tree🧗♀️
🍃D4: Trekking in the Primitive Forest Park, savor the aroma of tea on Nanuo Mountain🍵
🍃D5: Poetic wandering in Mandou Village or exploring the fairyland of Mengyuan, then leisurely embark on the return journey.
🚌【Xishuangbanna Convenient Transportation Guide】
_Travel Route Map_
1: Take the characteristic train to the Ethnic Style Park, direct to the airport starting station
2: Cross the bus station, pass by the Tropical Flower Garden and the Medicinal Plant Garden, unfolding a green scroll along the way🏞️
3: Connect Jinghong City with Banna Bus Station, with markets, hotels, supermarkets, and parks scattered along the way✨
4: Pass through the East Grand Temple to the shopping plaza and watch the view by the Peacock Lake
5: Wind along Dalan South Road until you set sail from Jinghong Port⛵️
6: The tourist bus departs every morning, with round trips from the Flower Garden and Primitive Forest Park, taking you on an easy tour of Banna Paradise🎡
💦【Water-Splashing Festival Focus】
Battlefield: Dai Ethnic Garden water-splashing square, a sea of joy🌊
Event Time: 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, two battles are ready to welcome your challenge!
💦【Water-Splashing Festival Equipment Tips】
· Towels and spare clothes, quickly change into new outfits after getting wet👗
· Bring your own basin (30r in the scenic area, only 2r outside), optionally add water guns, raincoats for extra fun🔫
· It is recommended to wear slippers or go barefoot, pay attention to anti-slip safety, and move steadily like a turtle during the water battle🚶♂️
· Photography enthusiasts should use waterproof bags to protect phones and cameras, ensuring every moment of joy is captured📷
In the picturesque scenery of Xishuangbanna and the bustling Water-Splashing Festival, we can appreciate the beauty of nature's harmony and immerse ourselves in a carefree and joyful water frolic🎉. For friends who love to travel, how can you miss this wonderful feast that blends natural ecology with cultural charm? Join our ranks now and let the Xishuangbanna Water-Splashing Festival become the brightest chapter in your travel memories🌟!
marina.rosalind.nocturne
Six-day five-night brainless itinerary guide for a spring trip to Xishuangbanna
🌷Spring is a season full of vitality🌿 and hope🌱! After playing around Xishuangbanna for about five to six days, I came back and organized this budget-friendly yet fulfilling itinerary
DAY✈️Arrive in Kunming
Arrived in Kunming at nine o'clock in the evening, checked into the hotel to rest.
DAY Haigeng Dam➡️Daguan Tower➡️Starlight Night Market
Went to Haigeng Dam in the morning, fed the seagulls, then took the high-speed train🚅 from Kunming Station to Xishuangbanna. By the time we got to Banna, it was already afternoon. The hotel was in Gaozhuang, so after dropping off our luggage, we went straight to Gaozhuang. Daguan Tower and Starlight Night Market are close by, the Daguan Tower is sacred and dreamy at night, and then we went to the night market to stroll and eat. You know, at the night market, look more and buy less~
DAY Manting Park➡️Jinghong Buddha Temple➡️Mengle Great Buddha Temple
Came to Manting Park early in the morning, which used to be the royal garden of the Dai king, with a strong Southeast Asian atmosphere. The Dai king's palace and the royal garden are very photogenic, and there are free performances at the Elephant Park and Parrot Park. Jinghong Buddha Temple is a must-visit, connected to Manting Park with no entrance fee, very popular with worshippers, and the architecture is incredibly detailed and splendid. In the afternoon, we went to Mengle Cultural Tourism Area and visited Mengle Great Buddha Temple, which is majestic and truly awe-inspiring!
DAY Wild Elephant Valley➡️Tropical Flower Garden
Checked the guide in advance and it said that wild elephants could be seen around two o'clock in the afternoon. Unexpectedly, there were so many people, and we queued for nearly two hours to enter the park. Luckily, we saw a group of wild elephants around one o'clock, very lucky indeed. Later we went to the Tropical Flower Garden, which has all kinds of beautiful tropical plants, like a mini version of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden~
DAY Primitive Forest Park➡️Dai Nationality Garden➡️Mange Fruit Market
Went to Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest Park in the morning, definitely watch the peacock flying show, lasting 20 minutes, with a performance first and then the release, hundreds of peacocks flying down is very impressive. After the show, you can take a walk in the tropical forest for a while, and there are also Aini ethnic interaction, ethnic musical instrument performances, and water-splashing performances. The ticket price is really worth it. Then we went to Xishuangbanna Dai Nationality Garden, don't buy a basin from the old lady at the entrance, they don't allow basins inside! Inside, for 50💰 you can rent a locker + basin + Dai nationality clothes, splashing water is really fun! Later we went to Mange Fruit Market, bought some durian, small pineapples, coconuts, much cheaper and fresher than outside, took the fruits back to Kunming...
DAY Kunming old street and return trip
Slept until I woke up naturally, walked around near Kunming old street, ate and drank well, and then returned home~
Very happy, will come again...
DESIREE LANE
9 Must-Visit Places in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan for a Six-Day Five-Night Trip
1️⃣ Guandu Ancient Town: This was the first place I visited upon arrival, as the hotel I stayed at was not far from here. I took a taxi directly. It is one of Kunming's famous historical and cultural ancient towns, with many streets inside that are home to a variety of traditional local snacks and delicacies. The saying 'Five Mountains, Six Temples, Seven Pavilions, and Eight Temples' refers to this place, which still retains many cultural architectural relics.
2️⃣ Fuxian Lake: The lake scenery is as vast as the sea and it's great for taking photos on sunny days. Along the way, you can see fields of flowers and blue skies, which perfectly showcase the essence of Spring City Kunming.
3️⃣ Mojiang Tropic of Cancer: This is where the geographical Tropic of Cancer passes through, marking the boundary between the tropical and temperate zones. It divides Mojiang into two climatic zones, with half in the north temperate zone and half in the subtropical zone. This place is also known as the 'Land of Twins,' and it is said that drinking water from the Twins' Well and sleeping in the Twins' Bed can lead to the birth of twins.
4️⃣ Wild Elephant Valley: A bridge for human communication with Asian wild elephants, located in the Mengyangzi Nature Reserve, a national nature reserve in Xishuangbanna. The Butterfly Valley inside Wild Elephant Valley is worth a visit, with a variety of butterflies 🦋, and butterfly specimens available for purchase at the exit.
5️⃣ Primitive Forest Park: It is recommended to take the electric car, as it stops at several points of interest. The rainforest is a lively place where you can watch Dai dances and participate in water-splashing activities. For the peacock release, it's best to arrive early to get a good spot, preferably in the first row for a better view. If you arrive late when it's crowded, you might not find a seat. The opening act includes a song and dance performance, and the most spectacular feature is the sight of hundreds of peacocks being released at the sound of a whistle. The underwater world of the Mekong River is also here, where you can see a variety of fish and mermaid performances.
6️⃣ Gaozhuang Night Market: The Starlight Night Market is divided into several zones, located to the east and west of the Golden Pagoda. At night, many tourists dressed in Dai costumes take photos here, as if they were in a foreign land. The large square is bustling with various vendors' goods.
7️⃣ Manting Park: Manting Park is the oldest park in Xishuangbanna. The Dai people traditionally call it 'Chunhuan,' meaning 'Garden of the Soul.' It was once the royal garden of the Dai kings of Xishuangbanna.
8️⃣ Big Buddha Temple: Showcasing the history and traditional culture of Theravada Buddhism, Mengle Great Buddha Temple was reconstructed on the site of the ancient Dai royal monastery 'Jingpiao Buddha Temple.' 'Jingpiao Buddha Temple' was built by a Dai king named Balong in memory of his deceased queen, Nansha Weibian.
9️⃣ Dianchi Lake Haigeng Park: In September, there are no seagulls, just a few white birds in the distance, unclear if they are seagulls. The scenery here is very beautiful on sunny days, suitable for strolling and cycling. Haigeng Wetland Park can be visited together, and if time allows, you can experience boating in the forest, which children will love. However, we decided to skip it when we saw the queue.
📝 Note tips:
Xishuangbanna has very strong ultraviolet rays, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun. There may be occasional rain showers, so it's a good idea to keep an umbrella in your bag. There are also quite a few mosquitoes around, so consider bringing some mosquito repellent bracelets and mosquito repellent.
yara_8698
Travel to Xishuangbanna in March and April to experience the Water-Splashing Festival
🌴 **A must-go place during winter vacation/Chinese New Year, Xishuangbanna, fully enjoy the joy of the Water-Splashing Festival!**
📅 **Itinerary:**
**Day 1:** Arrive in Xishuangbanna, check into a comfortable hotel, relax and adapt to the local climate and environment.
**Day 2:**
- Visit the Primitive Forest Park in the morning, appreciate the magnificent scenery of nature, and feel the unique charm of vegetation.
- Then go to Manzhang Village, experience Dai culture, participate in folk performances, and taste authentic Dai cuisine.
**Day 3:**
- Visit the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the morning, admire various rare tropical plants, and appreciate the charm of tropical plants.
- Free activities in the afternoon, you can explore the local streets and markets, and feel the exotic atmosphere.
**Day 4:**
- Visit Wild Elephant Valley, watch elephant performances, interact closely with elephants, and experience the fun of having lunch with elephants.
- Try the cableway flying project in the afternoon, challenge your courage and adventurous spirit.
**Day 5:**
- Explore the tropical rainforest, appreciate the rich vegetation and biodiversity.
- You can choose to participate in upstream activities, experience the cool stream hiking, and feel the charm of nature.
- Try tree climbing in the afternoon, challenge physical fitness and balance ability.
🛍️ **Featured attractions:**
- **Starlight Night Market:** The night market is bustling, with a wide variety of special snacks, and the night view is charming.
- **Wild Elephant Valley:** Watch Asian elephants, get close contact, feed elephants, and experience close interaction with elephants.
- **CAS Botanical Garden:** Admire tropical plants and take a hot air balloon to overlook the scenery.
- **Primitive Forest Park:** Experience the thrill of crossing the jungle and feel the mystery and wonder of nature.
The trip to Xishuangbanna will definitely leave you with unforgettable memories and wonderful experiences!🐘🌺
The Culinary Wayfarer
Xishuangbanna - Wild Elephant Valley - Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden
Xishuangbanna - Wild Elephant Valley - Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden, Day1 - Wild Elephant Valley, primeval forest park. You can watch elephant performances, peacock flying, all are children's favorites
Day2 Nannuo Mountain, Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden. Tasted Pu'er tea on Nannuo Mountain, watched 7D movie in the botanical garden, shocking. Mermaid performance, children's full love
Day3. Visited Manxing Village, bought silver goods haha, paid homage to the Big Buddha Temple.
In the evening, participated in the bonfire party of Manting Park, the performance of the Grand Theater. The starry night market is crowded.
The riverside night market is cheap
It's worth a visit, the temperature difference is quite large every day, pay more attention to diet
QUINN CHRISTENSEN
Xishuangbanna Wild Elephant Valley | A natural oxygen bar far from the city + Wild elephants appear depending on the weather
On the second day of coming to Xishuangbanna, I feel that this place is really suitable for bringing children to play, and it is also a kind of tourism that develops morally, intellectually, and physically...
Transportation🚙: Self-driving from Gaozhuang Xingguang Night Market—Wild Elephant Valley, less than 1 hour on the highway, toll 28 yuan
💓💓PS The electric cars that can be rented everywhere in Gaozhuang, 10 yuan per hour, it is more cost-effective to rent a car; many buses and 7-seater cars will solicit customers back and forth, you can also consider
💋Wild Elephant Valley ticket: 60 yuan/person, there are many people at the north gate, the south gate continues to go inside from the north gate, there is a parking lot, self-driving can consider
The difference between the south gate and the north gate: The north gate is very close to the elephant performance and the cable car entrance, and you can arrive quickly after entering; the south gate needs to walk the plank road, about 30 minutes to the cable car entrance, the gentle plank road, no need to climb the mountain, take the cable car one-way down the mountain at the top of the mountain, the cable car is relatively simple, but the time is relatively long, it feels like it has been done for 1 hour. The wooden plank road at the south gate is a super oxygen bar, it's not bad to walk
🐘🐘🐘Elephant performance: At the elephant canteen at the north gate, there is an elephant science museum, there are elephant performances, introducing some characteristics and living habits of Asian elephants, which is quite interesting.
The elephant canteen at the door, as the name suggests, you buy food to feed the elephant.
🐛🐛
There is a scenic bus between the south gate and the north gate, 5 yuan/person, or you can walk back on the wooden plank road, probably still half an hour.
🤓
Tour suggestions: Enjoy nature, look at small animals, there are no large-scale tourist attractions, just walk around, look around, did not see wild elephants passing by, you need some luck and fate to see it.
TravelBeyondBorders*999
Come to Wild Elephant Valley to find a partner
Life has 🐘 to go, can be extraordinary 🐘
Before coming, I saw mixed reviews about TA on the Internet
After coming, I don't regret it at all, it's really fun 🐘
Although I didn't see wild elephants, there is Asian elephant science popularization
Gain knowledge and insight, and there is an elephant restaurant
Close contact with feeding elephants 🐘
Tropical rainforest plants are especially photogenic 📷
There are thousands of butterflies in the butterfly garden 🦋
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The park is huge, you can play from morning to night.
Suitable for all ages. It is the best place for parent-child travel~
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🏠Address: Wild Elephant Valley
🎫Ticket: 58 yuan
🚠Cable car: one way 50, round trip 70
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NovaMoonlight39
Xishuangbanna | Four-day three-night guide
Stayed in Xishuangbanna for 6 days
The internet says it's very hot, but people from Guangdong really think Guangdong is hotter
Recommend everyone to come during the National Day holiday, 4 days and 3 nights is enough
Xishuangbanna is really not big, it's only suitable for taking pictures and checking in, there are not many attractions
Suggestions🔺
It's better to live in Gaozhuang, it's not noisy and it's convenient to go anywhere
The hotels in Gaozhuang basically have cars, and it's very convenient to pick up and drop off within Gaozhuang
Be sure to remember to drink 'Dai Puer Coffee', it's really too delicious‼️
Must drink every day after coming
Recommended itinerary
D1 Chunwuli Snoopy car photo Starlight Night Market
D2 Morning Wild Elephant Valley half-day tour Wante afternoon tea Starlight Night Market photo
D3 Morning Manting Park Afternoon Dai Nationality Park Night Riverside Night Market
D4 Lolo Ice Room, a popular shop in Gaozhuang, stroll around and return
🛵Transportation
To Wild Elephant Valley, Botanical Garden, Dai Nationality Park and other scenic spots
'Banna Peace of Mind Tour' has direct round-trip cars from Gaozhuang
There is a pick-up and drop-off service in the hotel within Gaozhuang
Take a taxi or rent an electric car out of Gaozhuang
🐘Attractions
✔️Wild Elephant Valley
Be sure to go to the Elephant Canteen, you can experience feeding elephants and taking photos
It's not recommended to walk, basically you can't meet wild elephants
It's more appropriate to go in the morning, there are not so many people
✔️Starlight Night Market
The food inside doesn't look very appetizing
Remember to buy clothes, shoes, and accessories, they will be useful in Manting Garden
Go to take pictures at night, it feels like a small Thailand
✔️Manting Park
It is recommended to buy Dai clothes at the Starlight Night Market or Riverside Night Market before going
Remember to bring a jacket or sun protection jacket
You have to wear it to enter the General Buddha Temple behind
LunaSkywalker88
Manting Park is super worth going to | No need to go to Wild Elephant Valley anymore
Took a turn to Manting Royal Garden~ 🎫The ticket is 40
It is said to be the royal garden of the former Dai king, 4A
🌲Didn't expect that the park in the city is so big. It's like a medium-sized botanical garden. The tropical vegetation is very lush + Dai-style architecture is very distinctive~
🐘Close contact with 5 lovely elephants, feed them carrots🥕 cucumbers🥒 (a basket of fruits per person 50 can feed elephants at close range, inside are a few cucumbers, etc. It seems that children below a certain height are free, that is, adults pay 50 can bring a small friend) In the end, the elephant sucked a little water with its nose and sprayed it towards the customers. A very happy day~
There is also elephant science popularization. The oldest brother is 31 years old and weighs 6.5 tons. It turns out that elephants have to be pregnant for 24 months before giving birth to baby elephants.
🥕I feel that elephants are very smart and popular. A child originally gave it a carrot, then teased it without giving it, and the elephant was still angry and stomped its feet. Haha
Actually, this elephant performance is not strong, it's good to protect animals like this. It's just a simple call to the elephant's name, go up and weigh it. Or hang the banana at a high place and let the elephant step on its feet and take it down with its nose to eat
🦚I saw a white peacock for the first time. There is also a parrot performance
🐘The elephant interaction timetable is in the last picture, don't miss it~
WandererWanderlust
Xishuangbanna | After all, it's not a regret to have a winter
| After all, it's not a regret to have a winter.
✅Translating the ancient Dai name of Xishuangbanna into Chinese means 'Ideal and magical paradise'
✅The only lush oasis on the Tropic of Cancer
✅China's only tropical rainforest reserve
✅The 'Golden Country' in Jixian Lin's writings
❇️Here the mountains and rivers are lush, there is no severe winter, and no hot summer. There is both the romantic poetry of rain hitting banana leaves, and the inexhaustible folk customs, and the exotic feelings that can be felt without leaving the country.
Season. The best travel season
☀️It's summer all year round without winter, warm and pleasant in all seasons, with an average annual temperature of about 22°C. But different seasons offer different experiences:
▶️November to February of the following year: The weather is dry and cool, suitable for outdoor activities and exploring natural landscapes, it is a good time to watch wildlife and taste tropical fruits.
▶️March to May: The temperature is suitable, flowers and plants are in full bloom, it is a good time to admire the sea of flowers and visit temples.
▶️June to October: The rainy season, with high humidity. Although there is more rain in this season, it is also the green season of Xishuangbanna, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lush rainforest.
❇️In summary, November to May of the following year is the best tourist season in Xishuangbanna, but the specific choice still needs to be made according to personal needs.
Tour route. Tour route
🗺️The attractions in Xishuangbanna are relatively scattered, generally staying in Jinghong city area, and then touring along the following 3 classic routes:
1️⃣City line (visit temples to understand Dai culture): Dafo Temple, Manting Park, Zongfo Temple
2️⃣East line: Dai Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden, Sky Tree
3️⃣North line: Wild Elephant Valley, Primitive Forest Park
D1 Arrive at Jinghong Yigaozhuang Xishuangjing Starlight Night Market
D2 Manyuan Village (Life of Longing) - Dai Garden (Water Splashing) - Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden
D3 Wild Elephant Valley - Manzhang Village
D4 Tropical Rainforest Hiking Adventure
D5 Manting Park-Zongfo Temple-Mengle Dafo Temple
Delicacy. Food
🍲Lemongrass Grilled Fish/Dai Flavor Bao Shao/Pineapple Rice/Dai Flavor Hand Grab Rice/Spring Chicken Feet/Bamboo Rice/Frozen Pea Powder/Banna Barbecue/Dai Grilled Chicken
❗️If you want to eat authentic food, it's not in the Starlight Night Market, it's in the villages on both sides
Tips. Things you must know about Xishuangbanna⚠️
①Stay in Gaozhuang, it's convenient to travel to various attractions
②The Dai costumes sold in the night market are all 50/set, don't be fooled
③The night market photos are very beautiful, but the photographers' skills vary, so choose carefully
④There are many fake Cat Mountain Kings on the street, it is recommended to buy at the fruit market
⑤Prepare mosquito repellent, there are many mosquitoes
⑥ Do a good job of sun protection, the ultraviolet rays are very strong
⑦Bring a thin jacket, the temperature difference between day and night is large
⑧Don't believe in the scalpers selling tickets at the entrance of the scenic spot
ExplorerExpeditions
I just came back from Xishuangbanna and here are my suggestions and advice:
Xishuangbanna travel guide, sisters who are planning to travel at the end of the year, come and collect it!🌴🌺
💥Advice to avoid pitfalls:
1⃣️ Make reservations for scenic spots in advance to save queue time. You can make reservations for all scenic spots in Yunnan by searching for 'Tour Yunnan' on WeChat.📅✨
2⃣️ Don't go to the Starlight Night Market during the day, it's more exciting at night. You can go to the Big Golden Tower during the day, it's free and good for taking pictures.🎡🌃
3⃣️ You only need to go to the west area of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, you can skip the east area.⛩️
4⃣️ Don't miss the spectacular sight of peacocks flying southeast in the original forest.🦚🌳
5⃣️ Remember to bring mosquito repellent when you go to the scenic area to protect yourself from insect bites.🦟🙅♀️
6⃣️ Keep quiet when you are in the Wild Elephant Valley to avoid disturbing the elephants.🐘🤫
7⃣️ Leave Manting Park before 5 o'clock, arrange your time reasonably. The photo taking here is very excellent!📸🌸
8⃣️ You can walk around the Dai Ethnic Garden, you don't need to take a sightseeing car. Enjoy the Dai family style along the way.🚶♀️🏯
9⃣️ The Starlight Night Market starts to turn off the lights around 12 o'clock every night, friends who want to experience taking pictures don't have to worry about not having enough time.
🚴♀️Transportation in Xishuangbanna Scenic Area:
1️⃣ Chinese Academy of Sciences Botanical Garden: Take the 23rd bus from Jinghong to Menglong, and the 25th bus back.
2️⃣ Wild Elephant Valley: Jinghong-Wild Elephant Valley bus, 22 yuan.
3️⃣ Dai Ethnic Garden: Jinghong-Dai Ethnic Garden bus, 13 yuan.
4️⃣ Manting Park: You can take a taxi or ride a bike, both are very convenient.
5️⃣ Forest Park: Direct bus to the scenic area, ticket price is 10 yuan.
Xishuangbanna is not big, if you want to go somewhere temporarily, it's very convenient to take a taxi or ride a bike.🚗🌴
vaeloria_5265
Wild Elephant Valley||Wild Elephant Valley Day Tour Guide
||Wild Elephant Valley Day Tour Guide.
🐘Recommended reason:
A place where you will regret if you come, and you will regret more if you don't. There are many places to consume after entering the park, there are many places for taking pictures and shopping, weigh it yourself.
🥕tips:
It's best to choose to come from January to March, you will see a lot of elephants. Self-driving tour is very convenient, park the car at the north gate, and then take the shuttle bus to the south gate. The shuttle bus departs irregularly, and it can go when it is full.
🍃Special experience:
【Rainforest Elephant Herding】Although it's expensive, I still recommend it. Observe elephants at close range, the whole process is 20-30 minutes, you can't wear slippers or high heels, FZ platform is the cheapest to start. It's just following the elephant for a round, and then taking photos with each tourist (you can't touch the elephant at this time), and then give you four carrots to feed the elephant (you can touch the elephant's nose at this time). It's still fun, don't be too afraid of elephants when taking pictures, except that the baby elephant will be more lively, the staff is still very professional, but don't stimulate the elephant, obey the arrangement.
【Elephant Science Museum】Be sure to confirm the time of the elephant performance first, ask the staff in Dai costume, because it may be cancelled temporarily. Elephants will perform eating various fruits, drinking water and spraying water, simulating foraging in the wild, doctors checking their bodies, measuring weight, etc., it's quite interesting, the host speaks very well.
【Feed the elephant】The large portion is 80 yuan, the small portion is 30 yuan, about 5 vegetables and fruits. It's separated by a railing, you can touch the nose when feeding, and take pictures.
【Lizard Park】【Python Park】【Plum Deer Park】【Parrot Park】【Peacock Park】In addition to elephants, there are other small animals, about 1-4 in each park. There are also two white peacocks, which are very special.
【Orchid Garden】There is nothing, you can't see flowers, only leaves.
【Butterfly Garden】Under maintenance, not yet open.
FOX MACK
Bring your kids and come to Xishuangbanna for a close encounter with elephants
Xishuangbanna is the only habitat for Asian elephants in China, so Wild Elephant Valley is the only place in China where you can have close and intimate interactions with Asian wild elephants. Here you can watch elephant performances, take intimate photos with elephants, and feed elephants.
The attractions in Wild Elephant Valley include the high-altitude elephant viewing walkway, rainforest sightseeing cableway, Asian Elephant Museum, Asian Elephant Breeding Base, Asian Elephant Performance School, etc. The valley is crisscrossed with streams and dense forests. Asian wild elephants, wild cattle, green peacocks, giant lizards, pythons, hornbills, pig-tailed monkeys, macaques, black bears, pangolins, big civets and a large number of butterflies, birds and amphibians inhabit here.
Seeing wild elephants in Wild Elephant Valley requires luck. Many people say there are no wild elephants in the valley because they didn't see any. The main reason for not seeing wild elephants is that Asian elephants like to come out in groups to forage at night, and wild elephants are very vigilant during the day. When you encounter these leisurely wild elephants and see their robust and agile figures, they seem to be dancers of nature, and the diversity of life and the beauty of nature are fully demonstrated at this moment.
Summary:
There are wild elephants and primitive forests in Wild Elephant Valley🌳
You can herd elephants in the rainforest and walk with elephants🐘
You can feed them up close and have intimate contact🍌
There are many butterflies here, they will stay on your hand🦋
The cableway here is very long, almost 30 minutes🚠
The walkway here is very cool, with small animals appearing🦥