Yancheng China Milu Park｜Step into a real-life animal kingdom and get up close with thousands of milu deer!

As a mother of two, I have taken my kids to many family-friendly attractions, but the experience at Yancheng China Milu Park is definitely the most unique—it’s not an amusement park, but the best place for kids to get close to nature!

Why is it worth visiting? 🌟

China Milu Park is a national 5A-level scenic spot and the largest milu deer nature reserve in the world by area. It is home to more than 4,556 milu deer (over 60% of the global population!), as well as over 400 rare animals including red-crowned cranes, oriental white storks, and white-tailed sea eagles.

Most importantly, this is the best place to see wild-state milu deer with kids at the lowest cost and highest chance!

Must-know practical information 📝

Opening hours: 08:30–17:00 (open year-round)

Ticket prices:

· Adult ticket: 50 RMB
· Discount ticket: 25 RMB (seniors/students)
· Free admission: children under 1.4 meters, seniors over 70, disabled persons, military personnel

Transportation:

· Self-driving: Navigate to “Milu Line, Chuandong Town, Dafeng District, Yancheng City”
· Bus: Dedicated line from Dafeng Bus Terminal, departure times at 7:00, 9:30, 13:00, 14:30

Highlight experience: Electric cart tour 🚐

I usually don’t recommend waiting in line, but the electric cart here is definitely worth it!

Price: 15 RMB per person

Why must you take the electric cart? Because only by riding the cart can you enter the wild free-range area and see herds of milu deer living naturally.

Experience comparison:

· Riding the electric cart: The milu deer will stick their heads into the cart to taste carrots; you can see them swimming in the lake, bathing, and rolling on the shore.
· Not riding the cart: You can only see lazy milu deer lying on the “carrot carpet” in the enclosed area.

We randomly encountered multiple herds of milu deer while riding the cart. They were not afraid of people at all, and the kids screamed with excitement! These milu deer were full of energy, completely different from those in the enclosed area, as if they were different species.

Deer feeding tips 🥕

· Purchase inside the park: 10 RMB per small basket (sold by the electric cart driver)
· Bring your own carrots: Prepare some carrot sticks in advance
· Feeding tips: Deer in the free-range area are more active and will gently lick children’s hands; deer in the enclosed area are often indifferent due to overfeeding.

Best tour route 🗺️

Wild area — Free-range area — Enclosed area — Deer King area — Fawn area

Must-see highlights:

· Deer Observation Tower: Overlook the entire tidal flat and watch wild milu deer herds galloping in the morning light
· Milu King Park: See the giant-sized Deer King
· Pier No. 1: Free-range area accessible only by scenic shuttle and boat

Avoid pitfalls 🚨

1. Avoid noon: Milu deer rest under trees at noon and are more active in the morning and evening
2. Traffic control: During holidays, traffic control is common around the park; most vehicles must transfer to shuttle buses at the Milu Deer Resort
3. Allow enough time: Recommended 3-4 hours for the visit
4. Transportation options inside the park:
· Electric cart (recommended): 15 RMB per person
· Self-driving electric vehicle: 200 RMB per vehicle (cannot enter free-range area)
· Bicycle: Tandem 25 RMB per hour (cannot enter free-range area)

Thoughtful tips for families with kids 👶

· The park has a nursing room
· Bring a light jacket for kids, as Yancheng has big temperature differences between morning and evening
· Try not to bring a stroller; getting on and off the electric cart is inconvenient. A baby carrier is recommended.

Personal real experience

We visited with our 10-month-old baby. Luckily, the private car driver was able to take us directly to the park entrance, avoiding the long queue for shuttle transfers. Otherwise, I can’t imagine dealing with a baby and a one- or two-hour transfer!

The most amazing moment: When the electric cart entered the free-range area, a herd of milu deer leisurely grazed beside us, and a curious milu even stuck its head into the cart to grab a carrot…

The milu deer here are not prisoners in cages for people to watch; they are the true owners of this wetland. We are just fortunate visitors entering their world.