Pu'er Sun River National Forest Park is located in the southeast of Simao District, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, 37 kilometers away from the main urban area of Simao. It is a national 4A-level scenic spot. The park consists of three areas: the West Area, North Area, and East Area, with a total area of 6,666.7 hectares (66.667 square kilometers). The scenic spot is characterized by its location in the transition zone from the northern tropics to the southern subtropics, with a forest coverage rate of over 97%. It preserves the largest and most complete southern subtropical monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest in China, and is extremely rich in animal and plant resources, known as the "Kingdom of Animals and Plants" and "Biological Germplasm Gene Bank". It is home to 812 species of wild animals, including national first-class protected animals such as Javan banteng and slow lorises, and 2,104 species of higher plants above ferns. The buildings in the park are integrated with the natural environment, such as the planned 103-mu Forest Wellness Center and 181.73-mu Heilongtan Health Resort Hotel and other wellness buildings.
History and Culture
The history of Pu'er Sun River National Forest Park can be traced back to 1992, when the former Ministry of Forestry approved the establishment of Yunnan Caiyanghe National Forest Park. In 2011, it was renamed "Yunnan Sun River National Forest Park" with unchanged management area and boundary by the State Forestry Administration. In August 2013, the park was officially opened. On February 18, 2016, Pu'er National Park held a 4A-level scenic spot licensing ceremony. In September 2017, it was selected as a "World Peace Park", and on October 18, 2019, it was listed in the fifth "China Forest Oxygen Bar" list.
Main Attractions
Rhino Retreat
The main focus is on South African white rhinos, where the rhino population is being reestablished through a combination of free-ranging and scientific artificial assistance. White rhinos have a round and sturdy body, smooth skin, and two horns on their nose, one large and one small, one in front and one behind. According to records, two rhinos in Caiyanghe were hunted in 1933, and no rhinos have been seen in the area since. Now visitors can see playful rhinos here.
Macaque Paradise
Macaques, also known as monkeys and yellow monkeys, are widely distributed in Pu'er National Park. Generally, male monkeys are 55-62 cm long and weigh 8-12 kg, while female monkeys are 40-47 cm long and weigh 4-7 kg. They feed on leaves, twigs, wild vegetables, etc., as well as small birds, bird eggs, earthworms, ants, and various insects. The vast subtropical forest in the scenic area provides rich food resources and a good living environment for macaques, making it a real paradise for them.
Fish Shadow Stream Tracing
Here, the forest is dense, the air is fresh, and the spring water is clear. The water temperature remains at 10-22°C all year round, with a dissolved oxygen content of over 3.5 mg/L, making it very suitable for the growth and reproduction of giant salamanders. The giant salamander is a rare species that survived and continued from the same era as dinosaurs 300 million years ago. It is the largest existing amphibian and is called a "living fossil". Because its cry is like a baby's cry, it is also known as the "baby fish" and is a national second-class protected aquatic wild animal.
Cyathea Path
Cyathea grows along the long wooden boardwalk. Cyathea is the only existing woody fern plant, which is extremely precious and can be called a national treasure, listed as a first-class protected endangered plant by many countries. There are four species of Cyathea in Pu'er National Park: Cyathea chinensis, Cyathea gigantea, Cyathea serrulata, and Cyathea glauca.
Traveling Red Panda
Red pandas belong to the Ailuridae family, also known as red pandas or red cat bears, and are national second-class protected animals. They are gentle in temperament, nocturnal, with a cat-like face and bear-like body, overall reddish-brown, brownish-black limbs, long and fluffy fur, a round face with white markings. The most beautiful part is their fluffy long tail, with nine brown and white ringed patterns, which is very popular, hence the alias "nine-section wolf".
Cuisine
Dai-style Barbecue
With a strong Dai flavor, fresh local meats, vegetables, and other ingredients are marinated with unique spices and then grilled over charcoal. The grilled food is fragrant and has a unique taste.
Sour Bamboo Shoot Fish
This is a classic Yunnan dish, mainly made with fresh fish and sour bamboo shoots. The strong sour taste of the bamboo shoots is stewed with fresh fish, making the fish tender and the soup sour, spicy, and appetizing, leaving a long aftertaste.
Lemongrass Grilled Fish
After cleaning the fish, it is marinated with spices such as lemongrass and then wrapped in lemongrass for grilling. The unique aroma of lemongrass penetrates the fish, making it more fragrant, with a golden crispy skin and tender, juicy flesh inside.
Wild Vegetables and Mountain Treasures
The mountains around the park are rich in resources, with a wide variety of wild vegetables and mountain treasures. For example, various wild mushrooms and fresh wild vegetables can be simply cooked to present the original flavor of nature, which is nutritious and healthy.
Pu'er Tea
Pu'er is the origin of Pu'er tea, and authentic Pu'er tea can be tasted around the park. Pu'er tea is divided into raw tea and ripe tea. Raw tea has a fresh taste, while ripe tea is mellow and sweet, with a unique charm and health benefits.
Tickets
The ticket price is 100 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "普洱太陽河森林公園" to get the latest updates or book tickets online.
Opening Hours
Opening hours are 08:00-16:00, with admission stopping at 16:00.
Tour Routes
You can follow the route: Rhino Retreat → Slow Loris → Deer Family Animals → Binturong → Biodiversity Exhibition Hall → Macaque Paradise → Fish Shadow Stream Tracing → Gibbon Peninsula → Jiaogutang Wetland → Raccoon → Bear Area → Butterfly Valley → Traveling Red Panda → Bird Paradise → Sightseeing Car Return. You can also adjust according to your interests and time. For example, the luxury tour can choose the Red Panda Manor in the scenic area, including tickets and shuttle bus transfers, allowing you to live in the forest and interact closely with red pandas. For a two-day tour, on the first day, visit Rhino Ping to see rhinos in the morning, then go to Red Panda Manor to interact with red pandas, have lunch at the scenic area restaurant, visit Orchid Valley and Butterfly Garden in the afternoon, and stay at Red Panda Manor Hotel at night. On the second day, get up early to participate in a forest morning tour, then go to the Science Museum, and have free activities in the afternoon.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Navigate to the ticketing center of Pu'er Sun River National Forest Park.
- Special Line Bus: You can purchase tickets through the "Pu'er Hongfeng Passenger Transport" WeChat public account. Departure times are 9:00, 10:00, 12:00, and 13:00, with return times at 13:00 and 17:00.
- Taxi: About 30 kilometers from the urban area, with a driving time of approximately 45 minutes.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Rhino Retreat: The only place in China where you can touch white rhinos, allowing close observation of rhinos and feeling their majesty and strength.
- Gibbon Peninsula: You can watch gibbons parkouring and leaping overhead, and staff will introduce relevant knowledge, providing an excellent experience.
- Traveling Red Panda: Red pandas are very cute, and seeing them interact with visitors will be an unforgettable experience.
Tour Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing for easy walking in the forest.
- Bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and mosquito repellent to protect against sun and mosquitoes.
- Understand the operating hours and routes of the battery cars in advance to arrange your time reasonably.
- If you want interactive experiences, purchase relevant packages online in advance for better prices.
- Respect the living habits of wild animals and do not feed or disturb them arbitrarily.
Notes
- Abide by the scenic area regulations and do not enter closed areas without permission.
- Pay attention to environmental protection, do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean.
- Follow staff instructions when interacting with animals to ensure your safety.
- In case of bad weather, follow the scenic area arrangements and take shelter in a safe area in a timely manner.