Panda perfection

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Moving to Chengdu meant that I would achieve one of my lifetime ambitions, to see a panda in China. Within hours of being in the city I was making my way to the Panda Base for a visit that didn’t disappoint.

Entering the Panda Base you move from the hubbub of everyday Chengdu life, leave the traffic behind and wander with other visitors into a well laid out oasis. Past misty bamboo groves the crowds soon disperse and you can begin your adventure into the land of the panda.

OK pandas don’t run around, in fact most of the time they tend to be sleeping or munching their way through mounds of bamboo shoots left by their kindly caretakers, but I cannot get enough of them. Six visits later I am still awed by the experience of being able to see an actual panda.

If you are extremely fortunate your visit may coincide to see youngsters being allowed outside to play. The brave climb nearby trees, wrestle on the climbing areas; all to the entertainment of the visitors who clamber with selfie sticks to catch that special moment when one of the young fall unharmed from the lower branches. Inside babies wait in incubators for their next feed; pink and vulnerable they are completely dependent upon their human surrogate parents. It’s clear that the survival of this species is reliant upon the expertise of the staff and the research being carried out at the Base and places like it.

The Base is also home to red pandas and these guys are more active, sometimes they even join visitors on the walkways that thread through the bamboo groves. In the sunshine their fur glimmers but don’t be misguided, they do have a mean temper. It is a nice surprise to glance up and find a red panda sleeping up in the trees above your head.

Throughout the centre peacocks, black swans and other bird life are prolific, creating an enjoyable natural environment. Fish pools glimmer with the scales of the large Koi swimming around waiting for crumbs from a generous visitor. The bamboo groves bend gently in the wind as you walk from one panda enclosure to another. Even on a busy day there is space for everyone, although I would say the best time to visit is early morning when the pandas are active and the visitors few.

For those who want to get up close and personal you can pay to have a photo with a panda, but I prefer to look from a distance. It’s good to remind ourselves that these are wild animals after all and deserve some respect.

And at the end of the visit you can take your own panda away with you from one of the many souvenir shops. It won’t need bamboo or special living conditions just a good home. As for me? I am planning visit number 7 really soon!

The author is the Head of Communications of the Malvern College Chengdu.

The opinions expressed do not represent the views of the China Daily website.

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