Prince William visits Xishuangbanna

Britain's Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, arrived at Xishuangbanna, south China's Yunnan province, on March 4.

The prince was warmly received by dancing locals from the Dai ethnic¹ group wearing traditional folk clothing. Two girls presented plumeria flowers, a local specialty², and greeted the prince in English: "Welcome to Xishuangbanna". Local Dai people also splashed "lucky water", a gesture of blessing³, on the prince.

Xishuangbanna is often viewed as home to many wild Asian elephants and the people of the Dai ethnic group have worshiped elephants as sacred animals for centuries.

Wild elephants are forced to attack farms and villages as they lose their natural habitats. Prince William met with locals to learn about the measures taken to co-exist with the elephants.