Program highlights Yunnan's tourism allure

Dozens of tourism bureau officials from Yunnan and Zhejiang provinces gathered recently in Hangzhou to preview the 2014 Promotion Tour of Yunnan Tourism. Jointly organized by the Colorful Yunnan High-Quality Tourism Promotion Alliance and Yunnan Yimei International Tourism Group, the program introduced the rich tourism resources of Yunnan, such as Dali and Lijiang, and the latest promotion plans and policies.

Since the implementation of China’s new Tourism Law last October, many tourism companies and agencies have established the alliance under the guidance of Yunnan provincial tourism administration to strengthen cooperation among airlines, tourism enterprises and operators and protect rights of tourists.

Yang Qing, marketing director of Yunnan Golden Peacock Tour Group, said the Wild Elephant Valley in Xishuangbanna plans to move tourists service center and recreational facilities to the nearby town, so the elephants can enjoy a better environment.

When the second phase of the plank road built along the face of cliffs is finished in the future, visitors can walk along the high circular road to observe the Asian elephants from a safe distance. The elephants can also live without disturbance from human beings because the observation area and their habitat are separated.

In China, the endangered Asian elephants mainly live in Xishuangbanna: The valley is home to less than 100 of them.

"It feels different to see an elephant in a natural environment than in a zoo. Tourists should not make a racket because the elephants are alert and may hide themselves," she said.

"One should keep distance from Asian elephants and be careful. There are also other wild animals in the valley such as gibbons, and visitors should take care of them."