A taste of Africa's wilderness has arrived in Qingyuan, Guangdong. The newly opened Chimelong Wild Expedition in Qingyuan started welcoming visitors on July 23, offering a new way to experience wildlife through open habitats, self-drive adventures and immersive nature exploration, all without leaving the province.
Developed by Qingyuan Chimelong, the eco-themed safari park is built on a former mining site that has undergone 12 years of restoration. Covering a vast mountain landscape, the park features a 27-kilometer self-drive route, more than 300 animal species and tens of thousands of animals living in large open spaces.
The project has also drawn attention from global tourism and entertainment organizations. Experts from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions and Themed Entertainment Association praised it as an example combining ecological restoration, wildlife conservation and tourism.
From a deserted mine to a wildlife haven
It is hard to imagine that this lush wilderness was once a damaged mining area. Over the past 12 years, the site has undergone extensive ecological restoration. More than 40,000 native plants were introduced, mountain slopes reinforced and wetlands and water systems rebuilt.
The efforts have gradually brought the landscape back to life. A subtropical forest ecosystem has formed, attracting more than 100 species of wild birds and native animals back to the area.
Today, the former mine has become a green sanctuary where visitors can experience nature in a setting shaped by both conservation and restoration.
A safari experience inspired by Africa, built in Guangdong
The Chimelong Wild Expedition recreates the feeling of an African wilderness while using Guangdong's own mountain landscape as its backdrop.
Unlike traditional zoos with enclosed cages, the park follows a "zoned but not caged" approach. Animals have spacious habitats where they can roam, feed, play and interact naturally, while visitors observe them in a more authentic environment.
Among the park's highlights are:
A large giraffe population, one of the biggest outside Africa, wandering freely across the mountain grasslands;
A dedicated conservation base for black rhinoceroses and pygmy hippos, two critically endangered species;
A large African elephant population, where visitors can watch elephants playing in river valleys.
For families and nature lovers in Guangdong, the park offers a chance to encounter some of the world's most iconic wildlife without a long-haul trip overseas.
Three ways to explore the wild
The park offers three ways to explore the landscape: by car, on the ground and from the air.
Visitors who prefer a flexible journey can take their own vehicles along the 27-kilometer mountain route, stopping at viewing areas along the way. For those who want a closer look, panoramic safari trucks offer guided tours led by professional animal keepers who share stories about wildlife behavior and conservation. A highlight for many visitors is the 8-kilometer cable car ride, which rises 40 meters above the ground and provides a sweeping view of the entire wilderness landscape.
Bringing conservation closer to the public
Beyond tourism, the park also focuses on wildlife protection and environmental education.
Through its breeding and conservation programs, Qingyuan Chimelong is involved in protecting endangered species such as African elephants and black rhinoceroses, while providing visitors with opportunities to better understand biodiversity.
With the opening of Chimelong Wild Expedition in Qingyuan, Guangdong now has a new tourism destination where conservation, adventure and family travel come together.
Reporter | Li Fangwang
Photos | Li Fangwang
