Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center
Trip Start
Mar 17, 2007
1
385
435
Trip End
Ongoing
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The giant pandas are not only a Chinese national treasure but are also beloved by people the world over. They are found only in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. In total there are fewer than 1000 left, of which 80% are distributed within the territory of Sichuan province.
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding or simply Chengdu Panda Base, is a non-profit research and breeding facility for giant pandas and other rare animals, like Red Pandas and of black-necked cranes. It started with 6 giant pandas that were rescued from the wild. It has had 110 panda births, and the captive panda population has grown to 62. It is the biggest facility in the world.
Come early and have REAL coffee and/or lunch at the research’s coffee place. There we met Leo, the manager, who invited us that evening to his home!!! He already serves very nice food and collected tips from us to expand the menu. His pancakes are good (the ones with apple were yummy) and there is also a selection of western food. Do not miss it and say hi from Marina from Belgian.
A guide can be booked at the center and you can hold a small giant panda for pictures. It is costly (1000 yuan) and is best arranged upfront.
The opinions about the center are mixed. We loved it. You cannot be so close to those amazing animals anywhere else in the world. The whole park is very well kept and a day is easily spend here. Taxi is the best way to travel.
