Wild Elephant Valley
野象谷
China's only scenic area where wild Asian elephants can be seen, with a rainforest cable car over the treetops, elevated walkways and an observation platform, plus the Asian Elephant Rescue and Breeding Centre and a butterfly garden.
Wild Elephant Valley lies on the southern edge of the Mengyang Nature Reserve, about 47 km north of Jinghong. The valley rainforest around the Sanchahe area is a corridor for wild Asian elephants, which gave the attraction its name. How it works: enter from the south gate and take the rainforest cable car (about 2 km one way, about 15 minutes, with views over the forest canopy; about 50 yuan one way or 70 yuan return) to the north gate. Then walk back to the south gate along an elevated walkway of about 3 km. Along the way are an observation platform (sightings depend on luck, though early morning and evening chances are higher), tree houses, a butterfly garden, a bird garden, an Asian elephant museum, and the Asian Elephant Rescue and Breeding Centre, where you can see rescued elephants up close. Daily elephant behaviour shows and interactions are held here, making it the most reliable chance to see elephants. Admission is about 60-70 yuan, and the cable car costs extra. Suggested visit: 3-4 hours, in this order: cable car up, walkway down, the elephant breeding centre, then the butterfly garden. Getting there: buses from Jinghong Bus Station pass Wild Elephant Valley (about 1 hour, around 20 yuan). Wild Elephant Valley Station on the China-Laos Railway is about 6 km from the scenic area, with shuttle buses outside the station. A private car takes about 1 hour. Notes: wild elephants are genuine wildlife, so inside the park do not shout, feed the animals or leave the walkways. In recent years, elephants have ranged more widely, and wild elephants occasionally cross the roads leading to the park. If you encounter one, stop and wait, and do not get out of your vehicle. Commercial activities such as 'elephant riding' and 'elephant shows' have been gradually discontinued, so do not ask for them. Bring mosquito repellent and long trousers. The cable car stops during thunderstorms.
Opening hours
08:00–18:00 (cable car 08:30–17:00)
Nearby sights
- Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park
- Gaozhuang Xishuangjing & Starlight Night Market
- Xishuangbanna Bridge over the Lancang (Mekong)
- Xishuangbanna Tropical Flower Garden
- The Dai Show
- Manting Park
- Xishuangbanna Sunac Land
- Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple (Wat Pa Jay)