If you go to Qingyuan Chimelong and only play the rides and visit the animal exhibits, you are probably only experiencing half of the essence. The other half is in the "Animal Safari" – a 27‑kilometre self‑drive route that takes about 1.5 hours in total. This is not the traditional zoo logic of "animals in cages, people looking from outside". The roles are reversed: the animals are the "original inhabitants" of this land, and humans are just passing visitors.

The whole route is divided into three ecological zones. Every time you pass through a gate, it is like turning to a different page of a nature encyclopedia.

1. Asian Highlands: A species of horse that has never been tamed by humans in 60 million years

As soon as the car drives into the Asian Highlands, the view instantly opens up. On the vast wilderness, you will see a horse with a very special aura – not particularly tall, but with an indescribable wildness in its eyes. It is called the Przewalski's horse. It is the only surviving wild horse species in the world, and has never been truly tamed in over 60 million years. In other words, the horses you ride at riding stables are all their "distant domesticated relatives"; the ones in front of you are the true ancestors that have never bowed their heads.

Unlike the animals in ordinary zoos that look dazed and have been raised to have no temperament, the Przewalski's horses here clearly still have their wildness. They do not proactively approach the car, nor do they beg for food. They just roam around the wilderness on their own – that "I can't be bothered with you" attitude actually inspires a strange sense of awe.

When passing by Sapphire Lake, you will see a group of black swans. A group of black swans glides slowly across the water, their red beaks contrasting with their black feathers, reflected on the blue‑green surface like a flowing ink painting. The driver will slow down so you can take photos – make sure your phone is ready for this stretch, the view is really stunning.

2. African Tribe: What does "Top Ten Wild Animals" mean?

The second stop is the highlight of the entire route – the African Top Ten Wild Animals Tribe.

The name is a bit dramatic, but the content is solid indeed. This zone brings together ten representative African animals, from the kings of the grassland to the overlords of the wetlands, from elegant giraffes to antelopes that run as if they are flying, all housed in open spaces that simulate their natural habitat.

The biggest impression is "vastness". Unlike traditional zoos that cram animals into small cages with railings, the design here is closer to the open feel of the African savannah – the animals have much more space to move around than you would expect, and therefore their state is closer to nature. Giraffes do not stand still waiting to be fed; they move around in herds in the distance. Zebras do not stare blankly at the fence either; they are actually "living".

One of the most memorable sights is a certain type of antelope (I am not sure of the exact name, but the way it runs is too recognisable). The speed at which they gallop across the grassland will instantly make you understand "why cheetahs evolved the way they did".

3. Asian Forest: A rhythmic shift from vastness to depth

As you transition from the open grasslands of the African zone into the Asian Forest, there is a noticeable shift in atmosphere – more trees, narrower roads, dimmer light, and a slower driving pace. This section of the route is well designed, giving your eyes and mind a chance to ease off from the "grand spectacle" just before.

The animals in the forest zone are a bit different from the previous two zones; they tend to be woodland species that do not make a big show, but there is a quiet vitality about them. If you are lucky, you might just spot a face peeking out from the bushes at a turn – and only then do you realise that as the car weaves through the forest, you have been under "surveillance" all along.

If you want to take good photos, remember to choose the right position in the vehicle. The safari tour vehicles on Animal Safari have different carriages. If you are travelling as a family or with a few friends, you can look in whichever direction you want and switch your viewpoint freely. But if you are on a regular tour bus, it is recommended to choose a seat on the left side. Based on what previous visitors have shared, most of the key animals are on the left side in the direction of travel.

The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours – not too long, not too short. It is recommended to go there first thing when you enter the park in the morning, as the animals are more active in the morning and the weather is not as hot – it makes a big difference to the experience.

Overall, Animal Safari is not the kind of performance‑style attraction where "trained animals do tricks". It is closer to a true wildlife reserve. You sit in the vehicle watching them, and they watch you back – this sense of mutual gaze is more real than any interpretive sign.