Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Another breed is the red panda

Warren Rodwell www.wocca.zoomshare.com

You can catch a taxi or local bus to the home to the endangered giant panda in the northern suburb of Chengdu. Admission fee is 30 RMB ($US3.75) to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, or otherwise known as "Panda Adventure". It is best to arrive at about 8am in the morning as the pandas like to sleep after lunch. Allow two hours to walk around at a leisurely pace.

This world-renowned ecological conservation base occupies 105 hectares, and is already embroidered with rolling green hills, colourful birds, and a sparkling lake. It is dedicated to the conservation of native Chinese endangered species such as the giant panda and the red panda. Panda Adventure has received the same honours from the World Tourism Development Planning Evaluation as Jiuzhaigou Valley (the world of fairytales).

The giant panda is a truly wonderful animal and this eco-park is incredibly well-maintained by highly devoted staff and volunteers. A visit to Chengdu would not be complete without seeing this indigenous species. There are nearly four hundred kinds of trees, including gingko, chinars, yulans and willows as well as many sub-species of bamboo that giant pandas love to eat.

Hundreds of acres of grass and flowers of brilliant colours sprinkle the hills and border Swan Lake. In this green world of lush bamboo woods, there live many animal celebrities. Along with giant pandas, Panda Adventure is home to cute and agile red pandas, elegant white and black swans, and blue peacocks. Thousands of white and grey egrets swoop and glide through the sky.

The Giant Panda Museum also holds many treasures. It is the first giant panda museum in the world. It boasts the largest collection of butterflies in Chengdu. For visitors interested in the natural history of giant pandas, the Panda Story Cinema is a special treat. Entertaining and educational films present a range of topics including the birth of giant panda cubs and the conservation of giant pandas.

Submitted by Warren Rodwell