Objective The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively analyze the social value of urban wetland parks promote their transition from traditional planning to socially oriented development and validate the effectiveness of a transnational social value transfer model in order to advance international cooperation in wetland planning and the assessment of wetland ecosystem social values thereby achieving transnational ecological benefits sharing. Methods In this study Caiyun Lake National Wetland Park in Chongqing China and Lake Artemesia Park in Maryland USA were selected as study areas. The SolVES model was constructed based on survey questionnaires and environmental background data to quantitatively assess the social value of Caiyun Lake National Wetland Park. Additionally the model was used to predict the distribution of social value indices in Lake Artemesia Park. Results The social value hotspots of Caiyun Lake National Wetland Park exhibited a circular distribution along the lake. The maximum value index for aesthetic value was 9 while for future value it is 4. In Lake Artemesia Park social value hotspots were distributed in a belt-like pattern. The maximum value index for aesthetic value was highest while economic future learning and spiritual values were lowest at 6. Among environmental factors distance from the water body had the greatest impact on value indices. Within the 0 ~ 30 meters range from the road aesthetic value showed fluctuating changes reaching its peak value index at 170 meters from residential areas. Conclusion The transferability of social value in wetland parks at an international scale is feasible. Water bodies serve as crucial regulatory factors in the distribution of social value within wetland parks. Planning and design of wetland parks should integrate assessment results with specific planning recommendations tailored to different regions.