Going wild in the wilderness

Hikers are also able to enjoy cultural programs, such as performances by elephant-foot drum dancers like 24-year-old Xiao Yan, who belongs to the Dai ethnic group. He has spent the past decade studying the folk art, which takes its name from the fact that its lead percussion instrument looks like the eponymous pachyderm's leg. The influx of tourists has created enough demand, so that Xiao has been able to set up a studio to stage more performances and train several apprentices.

"Thanks to the increase in families visiting, I can make a good living as a dancer," he said.

Dancing in the rainforest is new to him. But the popularity of jungle hikes bodes well for his prospects, he believed.

As the sky darkened, we made our way out of the rainforest. Men drove past, carrying the picnic materials on their motorbikes. Then, the only sounds were of unseen insects.