Yunnan Travel where to meet Asian Elephant

Taxonomic Status: Asian elephants belong to the genus Elephas in the family Elephantidae and are the largest existing terrestrial animals in Asia.
Morphological Characteristics: They have thick legs like pillars, small eyes, large ears, and long trunks with rich functions. Their whole body is gray or grayish-brown, with thick skin, numerous wrinkles, and sparse coarse hair. Male elephants have tusks, while female elephants generally have no tusks or very short tusks.
Habitat: They mainly inhabit areas such as tropical rainforests, monsoon forests, and montane evergreen broad-leaved forests in Yunnan. These places are rich in vegetation, providing sufficient food and water sources.

Diet: They are large herbivores that feed on plants and fruits. Their food includes more than a hundred kinds of plants such as Musaceae, Poaceae, and Arecaceae. They need to consume about 150 kilograms of plant food per day and also like to eat ripe crops.
Social Behavior: Female elephants stay in the herd throughout their lives. The herd is composed of adult female elephants and their unindependent offspring, led by the oldest female elephant. After reaching puberty, male elephants generally live alone or in bachelor herds.
Reproduction and Parenting: Parturition can occur throughout the year, but it is relatively more common in winter. Female elephants go into heat approximately once every 4.5 years, with the estrus lasting for 4 to 6 days. The gestation period is 19 to 22 months, and they usually give birth to one calf at a time. The reproductive interval is about five to six years.

Distribution Areas: They are mainly distributed in places such as Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Pu’er (普洱), and Lincang (临沧) in Yunnan. These areas provide relatively suitable living spaces for Asian elephants.
Population Quantity: Yunnan is the main habitat of Asian elephants in China. After years of protection, the population has increased. According to relevant statistics, the population of Asian elephants in China has increased from about 150 in 1978 to around 300 currently.

Conservation Level: Asian elephants are first-class protected animals in China. They are listed as Endangered (EN) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Conservation Measures: Yunnan has established several nature reserves for Asian elephants, such as the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve (西双版纳国家级自然保护区). At the same time, monitoring and early warning have been strengthened. Technical means such as drones and infrared cameras are used to monitor the movement tracks of elephant herds and issue early warning information in a timely manner. Ecological compensation has been carried out to compensate for the losses of crops caused by Asian elephants. Public awareness of protection has also been enhanced through publicity and education.

In 2021, the northward migration of Asian elephants attracted global attention, making Yunnan, a place yearned for by elephants, deeply rooted in people’s hearts. A large number of positive reports have effectively enhanced the overall tourism image of Yunnan.

Taking Asian elephants as the theme, tourism routes such as “Touring Yunnan with Elephants” have been developed. There are also related cultural and creative products, emoticons, audio magazines, animations, hand-drawn comic strips, etc., enriching the variety of tourism commodities.

Places like Xishuangbanna and Pu’er rely on the habitats of Asian elephants to develop ecotourism. Tourists can observe elephants at places such as the Elephant Coffee Boutique Manor (大象咖啡精品庄园) and experience the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

For example, the Simao-Xiaomengyang Expressway (思小高速公路) has reserved a “special passage” for Asian elephants, enabling tourists to “see elephants through the rainforest”, which has become a highlight of the integration of transportation and tourism and attracted more tourists.

Asian elephants are large wild animals with a certain degree of danger. When their activity areas overlap with tourist areas, they may pose a threat to the personal safety of tourists, bringing safety management pressure to tourism activities.

Due to their large size, Asian elephants may damage some tourism infrastructure such as roads and viewing platforms during their activities, increasing the maintenance costs of tourism facilities.

In order to protect both Asian elephants and tourists’ safety, in periods with frequent elephant herd activities or in specific areas, the entry of tourists may be restricted, affecting the normal operation of some tourism projects and scenic spots.

Itinerary Features: The first “Elephant Yearning” train departed from Kunming Railway Station (昆明站) on November 17, 2023, starting a circular tour of Yunnan that integrates the characteristics of southern Yunnan, western Yunnan, and eastern Yunnan. The route starts from Kunming and connects the majestic and perilous plateau snow-capped peaks, the tropical rainforests that nurture life, the rushing rivers, and the tranquil and charming plateau lakes. Tourists can travel through the four seasons within 11 days and experience the magnificent scenery created by Yunnan’s diverse landforms and three-dimensional climate.
Daily Itinerary:
Day 1: Gather in Kunming and take the “Elephant Yearning” train to start the journey.
Day 2: Arrive in Baoshan (保山). Visit the Mengbanaxi Exotic Garden (勐巴娜西珍奇园), which gathers a large number of ancient trees, rare trees, and silicified wood jade, showing the characteristics of rarity, oddity, antiquity, and strangeness. Then visit the Menghuan Great Golden Pagoda (勐焕大金塔), which is glittering with gold and is a landmark building in Mangshi (芒市) and a holy place for the Dai people. Then go to the Single Tree Forms a Forest Scenic Area (独树成林景区) in Ruili (瑞丽).
Day 3: Visit the Jiegao National Gate (姐告国门) and the One Village, Two Countries Scenic Area (一寨两国景区) to experience the unique border customs. Then go to Tengchong (腾冲), visit the Rehai Geothermal Park (热海公园), and admire the strange geothermal landscapes such as the Dagunuo (大滚锅). Visit the National Memorial Cemetery of the Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (国殇墓园) to pay tribute to the anti-Japanese heroes. In the evening, you can choose to watch the performance of “Dream of Tengchong” (《梦幻腾冲》).
Day 4: Go to Beihai Wetland (北海湿地) to appreciate the scenery of the national key wetland. Visit Heshun Ancient Town (和顺古镇) to feel its simple charm. Then take a bus to Baoshan and take a special train to Lijiang (丽江).
Day 5: After arriving in Lijiang, go to Lugu Lake (泸沽湖). Visit Lover’s Beach (情人滩), Lige Viewing Platform (里格观景台), stroll along the Caohai Walking Marriage Bridge (草海走婚桥), and participate in the Mosuo Bonfire Party (摩梭篝火晚会).
Day 6: Visit the Yulong Snow Mountain Canyon Performing Arts Park – Dongba Mysterious Land (玉龙雪山峡谷演艺公园 — 东巴秘境) to feel the ancient and mysterious Dongba culture. In the afternoon, freely visit the Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江古城), taste the Huotang Chicken (火塘鸡). In the evening, you can choose to watch the performances of “Splendid Lijiang” (《丽水金沙》) or “Impression Lijiang” (《印象丽江》).
Day 7: Go to Xinhua Village (新华村), then go to Dali (大理) to visit Jinsuo Island (金梭岛) and Dali Ancient Town (大理古城), taste the Bai People’s Welcome Banquet (白族迎宾宴), and take a special train to Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) in the evening.
Day 8: After arriving in Pu’er, visit the Ten-Thousand Mu Tea Garden (万亩茶园), experience tea picking and tea tasting. Visit the Primitive Forest Park (原始森林公园).
Day 9: Visit the Wild Elephant Valley (野象谷), have close contact with elephants, and watch elephant performances. Then visit the Mengle Great Buddhist Temple (勐泐大佛寺), and stroll around the Starlight Night Market (星光夜市) in the evening.
Day 10: Visit the Dai Ethnic Minority Dwellings (傣族民居) to learn about the Dai culture. Visit the Tropical Flower Garden (热带花卉园) and Manting Park (曼听公园), and take a special train back to Kunming in the evening.
Day 11: Arrive in Kunming and the itinerary ends.

Itinerary Features: Go deep into Xishuangbanna, select many essence and niche scenic spots, and perfectly integrate the characteristics of Pu’er and Xishuangbanna. Tourists can experience a light hike in the tropical rainforest, enjoy an outdoor rainforest meal, go deep into the Jingmai Mountain (景迈山), a World Intangible Cultural Heritage site, participate in the ethnic Pu’er tea culture experience and the Dai Water-Sprinkling Festival carnival, explore the Pu’er Sun River National Forest Park (普洱太阳河森林公园), interact with rare animals such as red pandas and rhinos, and also check in at niche online-famous spots such as the Bore Temple (般若寺) and the Dai Township Water City (傣乡水城).
Daily Itinerary:
Day 1: Tourists from all over gather in Kunming and go to Mojiang (墨江) to start the elephant interest journey.
Day 2: Go to Pu’er and visit the Pu’er Sun River National Forest Park, having close interaction with lovely red pandas, rhinos and other rare animals.
Day 3: Go to Jingmai Mountain, go deep into the hinterland of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage, explore the Princess Rong (公主榕), the God Tree of Mangjing (芒景参天神树), and the Queen Bee Tree (蜂王树), and learn about the Pu’er tea culture.
Day 4: Visit the Wengji Ancient Village (翁基古寨) to feel the charm of the ancient village. Visit the Bore Temple and take photos for check-in. In the evening, arrive in Jinghong (景洪) and stroll around the Starlight Night Market.
Day 5: Go to the Wild Elephant Valley to search for the traces of wild elephants and watch elephant performances. In the afternoon, go to the Dai Ethnic Minority Park (傣族园) to experience the Dai Water-Sprinkling Festival carnival.
Day 6: Visit the General Buddhist Temple (总佛寺) to feel the Buddhist culture. Visit the tropical rainforest, experience a light hike, and enjoy an outdoor rainforest meal.
Day 7: Disperse in Jinghong, and tourists can freely arrange their subsequent itineraries.

Asian Elephant-themed Postcards: They were presented at the 2021 Creative Yunnan Cultural Industry Expo. With the theme of “Yearning for Elephants”, they restore the warm moments during the migration of the elephant herd and share the story of harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants with more people.
Asian Elephant Patchwork Embroidery and Tie-dyeing: Using traditional techniques such as patchwork embroidery and tie-dyeing, Asian elephant elements are integrated to make exquisite pendants, cloth bags, clothing, etc., which have both artistic value and practical value.
“Where are the Elephants?” Indoor Hanging Decoration: Designed innovatively based on the Yi embroidery around the migration route map of elephants, it is both beautiful and of commemorative significance.

Happy Three Little Elephants Combination Elephant Ornament: Made of resin material, it has an adorable shape and can be used as a tourism souvenir or a home decoration. It is suitable for various gifting occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and tourism commemorations.
Black Pottery Asian Elephant Handicrafts: Using black pottery as the raw material, through exquisite craftsmanship, lifelike Asian elephant images are created, showing unique texture and artistic charm.

Asian elephants in Yunnan add unique charm to the tourism industry. The northward migration event has made Yunnan widely known, giving birth to numerous elephant-themed products and routes and driving the development of ecotourism. However, the activities of elephant herds also bring safety hazards and damage to tourism facilities. Yunnan is actively coordinating to promote the sustainable development of the tourism industry while protecting elephants.