Chengdu Travel Guide - A trip to the Bi Feng Xia Panda Center

Spot the Panda - there's a Panda in there. Closer pics further down.

With the recent Sichuan earthquake - a very popular travel destination was badly damaged and removed from the tourist route - The Wolong Panda Center. Because of this disaster the majority of the Pandas at Wolong needed to be re-homed - so they were transported to the Bi Feng Xia center near Ya'an - a city that's just over a 100 motorway kilometers from Chengdu. Many travelers have been asking about the center - but, over the net, it seems very difficult to find good information about the place. So with the aim of satisfying our own curiosity - and to get some useful info and pics to right a blog report - this Sunday's expedition headed towards Bi Feng Xia.

Chengdu Travel - We started from Chengdu at 9.30 in the morning and reached the Bi Feng Gorge turn-of just before 11.00. From here you have to drive about 10km kilometers up a very scenic road that leads you towards the Panda Center. As you can see, we were lucky with the weather - after a rather wet Autumn - this Sunday decided to be rather sunny.


The main Entrance where you buy your tickets.

Bi Feng Xia consists of two main attractions - the Panda Research Center - and a safari park type zoo - where you get on a bus to drive through areas with Lion, Zebra and all the other stuff you find at these type of places.
Since we had no desire to visit the safari area, we gladly discovered that the Panda Research Center is completely separate from this zoo, in fact it's in a whole other part of the gorge - and were relieved that you can buy a separate ticket, which just gives access to the Panda area. The cost of this ticket is 80RMB for adults. We had 2 small children with us - they were let in for free.
Around this entrance area are lots of restaurants and hotels - so it's quite possible to stay out here - although with Ya'an being only 15km down the road - its also quite convenient to overnight there. We saw a city bus going up to Bi Feng Xia - it was no. 4 - so I assume that's the bus you take from Ya'an.


Going down!!!!

The Panda Center is situated within the gorge, and the main entrance is at the top. So if you want to see Pandas - then it's down, down, down.

Those first flight of stairs take you to the top of this - an elevator. The floor counter read 99 at the top and we descended to level 1 - the bottom of the gorge.


And this is what it's like down here - rivers, waterfalls and scenic pathways. Rather nice!!!


The gang poking about - we're well impressed.


Actually for a beautiful Sunday - this place wasn't that crowded - this was the only big group of people we met on our walk towards the Panda Center. The paths are well looked after - but I think in wet weather they could be a wee bit slippy. I find a pair of soft soled sport's-shoes are a good idea for this type of path.


Some of those waterfalls look pretty neat.


Our nephew - totally fascinated by a rainbow - or is that a waterfallbow?


Him and Meggie also got a spot of bird watching in - the nature is good in this area. Just here they got a White-crowned Forktail in their sights.


The entrance to the research center and the Pandas - it was about a 3km walk on the path, after which you come to a road - from there you can than catch a free bus that will shuttle you a couple of further kilometers to this gate. Alternatively you can take this bus the whole distance and avoid the path walk.


This is where the Pandas live - a view over some of enclosures. Although this place is at least still 2,000m lower than true panda habitat - there's a lot forest trees, which gives a nice natural look


Here's that baby Panda again - you could gaze through a window and look into the incubator where this lazy little fellow was sleeping.

To get the best out of these pics - double click, to see them in a larger format.


Yawnnnnnnnnnnn - it's hard work being an animal superstar!!!


But of course there were bigger Pandas - the keeper is calling this one in for food.


Now it's inside eating - that goody it's chewing on is called a Panda Cake - which is made up of a whole lot of other stuff than just bamboo. Pandas don't just survive on bamboo - although this plant is by far the most important part of their diet.


Lazybones - enjoying the autumn sunshine


A young bear, enjoying a bit of Panda gymnastics.


There's a road that goes through the Panda area - and for an extra 10RMB you can buy a ticket for a small open bus that will shuttle you in between all the enclosures.


However, if you're like us - and more inclined to walk - there are also a network of nice quiet pathways.


Remember this place isn't just Pandas - apart from the Panda Center that ticket also gives access to a whole lot of other interesting areas. Along this path we met a fortune teller.


It's great place to chill out - lots of water - and cool vegitation - a nice nature park.


There's also a temple - it isn't old - but you can still wish for good fortune by burning a candle or two.


The bins are well camouflaged - just look for a mossy rock that has a hole for rubbish.


If you want to explore and simply can't be bothered to walk - then like royalty of old - you can be transported in a chair.


Here's a modern day empress - she looks very comfortable. I feel sorry for the bearers - but I suppose this is a way of making money.


A rest stop - lots of nice shady areas where you can find somewhere to sit.


When it comes to eating, there are restaurants in side this area - but we always like to get fried potatoes on a stick.


Of course it's the Pandas that make a trip to this place so special - a good day out.

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