Pandas are the amiable icon of south central China, and still an endangered species throughout the world. Officially known as the giant panda to distinguish from the red panda, these animals live off of a 99 per cent bamboo-based diet, which is actually one of the main causes of their plummeting numbers, as this food source has dwindled in recent years. Nevertheless, here are some of the best places to see these magnificent animals during holidays in China.
Bifengxia Panda Base
Located in Ya'an City, Sichuan Province, this base looks to preserve the giant panda by controlling their breeding. Managed by the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, the Bifengxia Panda Base is a vital centre in China in the work towards encouraging the number of pandas in the country to rise. It is now the largest panda base in the world, with around 155 pandas registered at the reserve. Offering volunteer programs and close contact experiences, it is one of the best places to see the giant panda in China.
Beijing Zoo
As the largest zoo in China, there are many more animals at this reserve besides China's emblem, the panda: it is also home to the largest aquarium in the country, which boasts dolphin displays and a huge collection of fish. Whilst the zoo is visited for many reasons, its most popular enclosure is its prominent panda house, which covers 10,000 square meters.
Seven Star Park
Home to the only zoo in Guangxi that holds the giant panda, the Seven Star Park is a popular attraction with locals and visitors alike. Built in the 1960s, it covers more than 297 acres and is the largest park of its kind in Guilin City. Its fantastic landscape and scenery makes it a popular attraction for reasons other than the pandas, with the beautiful Flower Bridge and Camel Hill standing as must-visits, as they epitomise the history and natural beauty of the park.
Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base
The Chengdu Research Base is the non-profit research centre that promotes breeding of the panda and works to conserve their numbers. The base was founded in 1987 and started with just six giant pandas brought in from the wild. The base consists of a panda house, feed room, health stations, a giant panda museum and a laboratory to help work towards their goal of being a world-class research facility, conservation education centre, and international educational tourism destination.
While the panda's numbers are known to be not as bountiful as they once were, these admirable educational facilities are looking to rectify this situation whilst providing an exceptional place to see pandas thrive in captivity.
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