Butterfly Valley in Dinghu Mountain – A Pristine Rainforest

Butterfly Valley in Dinghu Mountain

Butterfly Valley in Dinghu Mountain is located in a subtropical rainforest zone. Hundreds of thousands of butterflies, featuring an overwhelming variety of species, can be found here. According to experts, hundreds of thousands of butterfly pupae will emerge during or around the National Day Golden Week, making the valley even more vibrant. Located at the back of Xiaolongtan Lake in Yalong Bay and flanked by mountains on both sides, the valley features a stream running through its valley floor. Invested with 10 million RMB by Yalong Bay Development Co., Ltd., the park covers an area of 1.5 hectares and is China’s first well-equipped butterfly culture park that masterfully blends nature with human design.

The valley lies within a tropical semi-deciduous monsoon forest, boasting rich vegetation with over 360 plant species, including many rare ones such as the Dragon’s Blood Tree (also known as the Immortal Pine), Eyeglass Bean, Blackwood, and Water Oak. Many of these plants serve as natural hosts for butterflies—such as Adenia, Mucuna, Camphor Trees, Yellow Cup, Senna siamea, Wampee, Banyan Trees, and Oleander. Thanks to its excellent ecological environment and thoughtful human modifications, Butterfly Valley has become one of the world’s most unique and perfectly integrated butterfly gardens where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.

Six Key Areas of Butterfly Valley: The Specimen Exhibition Hall spans 300 square meters and displays over 500 types of exquisitely preserved butterfly and insect specimens. These include rare species like the Golden Birdwing, Three-tailed Swallowtail, Three-tailed Swordtail, Many-tailed Swallowtail, Apollo Butterfly, Four-spotted Flower Scarab, Long-arm Jewel Scarab, Forked Horned Beetle, and Horse-tailed Wasp, as well as world-renowned butterfly species. These beautiful specimens not only offer visual delight but also spread knowledge about insects and raise ecological awareness.

The Large Stainless Steel Mesh Butterfly Garden covers 1,682 square meters and is planted with a wealth of butterfly host and nectar plants, creating an ideal habitat for butterflies. Around 200,000 butterflies are bred and released here annually for visitors to admire, with approximately 6,000 live butterflies kept on display each day, allowing guests to observe them in their natural state.

The Natural Butterfly Garden is created by modifying the microenvironment and planting abundant host and nectar plants to meet the ecological requirements for butterflies to breed naturally. This attracts wild butterflies to inhabit and reproduce in the area. Currently, the density of observable butterflies here is 4–8 times higher than in the surrounding wild areas, producing a remarkable butterfly ecological effect. The Specimen Preparation Room serves as a workshop for making butterfly specimens and handicrafts, recycling naturally deceased butterflies to promote resource reuse.

The Butterfly Breeding Garden cultivates selected host and nectar plants to support the breeding of adult and larval butterflies. The Shopping Center offers a variety of butterfly-themed merchandise to meet visitors’ shopping needs. Since its opening on August 25, 1997, Butterfly Valley has hosted dozens of Chinese and foreign heads of state and welcomed a large number of domestic and international tourists, achieving significant social and economic benefits.

Address: Inside Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area, Dinghu Town, Shangshan Road, Dinghu District, Zhaoqing City

Type: Zoo / Forest

Recommended Visit Duration: 1 hour

Phone: 0758-2621332

Official Website: http://www.dinghushan.net/

Opening Hours:

Summer & Autumn (June 1 – November 30): 5:30 AM – 6:30 PM; Winter & Spring (December 1 – May 31): 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 30.0 RMB

In addition to the Dinghu Mountain entrance ticket, an additional 30 RMB is required for the Butterfly Valley Adventure Ticket.