Panda-Venture Part II

Another early morning but no complaints here, for I was going to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Located in the northern suburb of Chengdu, this world-renowned ecological conversation base sits on 100 hectares.

At the base, there are around 400 kinds of trees, including gingkos, chinars, magnolias and willows. Also, many kinds of bamboo.

Jason’s tip: upon entering the panda base, take the shuttle bus and go all the way to the end, which is the newest part of the base and start your walk from there to go back to the main entrance. The old part, which is closest to the entrance is always crowded. Not a lot of people know or care to walk all the to the newest part of the base.

I wanted to heed Jason’s advice, but I didn’t want to wait for the shuttle bus. I was on a tight schedule, so it was all go, go, go for me.

I took entirely WAY TOO MANY photos (and videos) of pandas, red pandas and baby pandas.

Here’s a selection:

It was actually the purr-fect time to visit, as 17 baby pandas was recently born. And there they were basking in the sun, sleeping together! I could’ve stayed at this enclosure all day.

Some facts about pandas:

* Pandas less than one year old are yearlings.

* 1 or 2 weeks after birth, their black marking appears.

* Within a month, pandas will have black ears, eye patches, legs and shoulder bands.

* Around 6-8 weeks, their eyes will open.

* Around 90 days old, the first baby tooth will appear.

* Around 100 days old, their limbs will support the body and they begin to crawl.

* At 4-6 months, cubs grow stronger and more active.

* At 1 year, they will start to eat bamboo.

* At one and a half year, all teeth have grown in.

I could’ve easily spent an entire day at the panda base, but with a few hours before my flight, I had to decide what else I wanted to see. I had 3 places I wanted to go to but only time enough for one, so I decided on going to the Tibetan quarter, also known as, Little Lhasa.

Interesting observation: on the way to the panda base, I rode in a registered cab, but the only cabs that were lined up to take you back into Chengdu were all gypsy cabs. And they jacked up the cab fare too. I could’ve waited for someone coming in from the city and then catching their cab, but unfortunately, I didn’t have that kind of time.

So I assessed the risk, haggled with the driver and we decided on a set price. And i picked the one female cab driver no bigger than I was. Just to be on the safe side. My Shanghai tour guide, Sophie, had warned us not to take gypsy cabs as they were unregulated. Even if nothing happens to you, the fare they charge borders on extortion.

My “taxi driver” had a walkie-talkie with her and every so often, her colleague/partner would radio in and check on where she was. I like to think that they want her to be safe too. I arrived safe and sound, no problems whatsoever. She was actually very nice.

Chengdu is the major jumping point before going to Tibet and vice versa, so no surprise, there’s a thriving Tibetan neighbourhood. The Tibetans would come to Chengdu to purchase and sell wares. And I gotta say, they’re quite striking. At the very least, they’re interesting to look at. I didn’t want to seem rude and stare, but they’re so fascinating to me, that it’s so hard not to.

The 2 main streets are chock-a-block full of stores selling Tibetan art, ethnic clothing and religious artifacts. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to shop as I was too busy walking around and taking pictures.

Alas, I did not stay as long as I’d like. You could easily spend a few hours, wandering Little Lhasa and seeing the Wuhou Temple nearby. I wish I had more time because there’s so much to see here. Just good reason to come back. And I will too.