SCYTS-020: 8-DAY PANDA WATCHING TOUR TO WOLONG NATURE RESERVE

Pandas are the special animals of China. They are the great treasures given to mankind by the great nature. Because of the beautiful fur, mild character, honest looking, they are very popular with the people all over the world. All over the world, there are only about 1,000 Giant Pandas, and 80% of them are living and breeding in the mountains and forests in the northwest of Sichuan.

Wolong and Bao Xing Fengyong Valley in Ya'an City of Sichaun Province are the 2 most famous Panda reserve. Pandas generally live in those places with green bamboos and the elevation of these areas are usually from 1500 to 3200 meters.

Although the Panda is classified as a carnivore, 99% of its food is made of bamboo. The arrow bamboo is its main food item in Wolong for most of the year. In spring, though it moves to a lower elevation to obtain the fresh umbrella bamboo with great dexterity and its powerful bite and jaws crush it easily. It eats up to 15-20kg of bamboo passes undigested and can be seen in the large green droppings.

Solitary as the panda usually is, they seek out partners during the mating
season. Giant Panda usually become sexually mature at around 5-6 years of age. In spring, the female comes into heat for a few days. Many males will compete to copulate with her. After a gestation period of 4-5 months, one or two cubs may be born. They weigh about 60-130g only, are pink and helpless. The mother only care for one-protecting it day and night. The father plays no part in care on the infant. The mother stays with the infant for about 1.5 years. So, pandas can usually have babies only once every two years. The low birth rate is a source of concern as the number of pandas in the wild is decreasing.

Please note that the best time to watching Giant Pandas is from late April to late May. And if clients want to watch pandas, they will stay in some very simple accomodations. And that even so, we cannot say for certain that we can succeed to see pandas in nature—the possibility is only about 65%.

Day 1:Arrive Chengdu: Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province-the most
populace province in China. Chengdu has a history of more than 2,500 years.
And it is one of the four most famous historic cities in China. In ancient
times, Chengdu was the capital of the Kingdom of Silkworms,and about 2500
years, this kingdom was named Shu. In Western Han Dynasty, about 2000 years'
ago,because every family in Chengdu produce Brocade,Chengdu was also named
the City of Brocade.In Tang Dynastery of about 800 years' ago, people in
every corner of Chengdu planted Hibiscus trees, so Chengdu was also named
the City of Hibiscus since then. The first official school was founded in
Chengdu in 156 B.C. In Song Dynasty of about 600 years' ago, the people of Chengdu began to use paper currency named Jiaozi. Even now Chengdu is still the cultural, economical and trade center of Southwest part of China.
                                            Overnight at Chengdu Hotel
Day 2:Drive to Wolong Nature Reserve (165km):(Admire the beautiful
landscapes; visit the  Panda Breeding center and take photos with together with pandas.)                 Overnight at Wolong Hotel
Day 3-Day 4:(Bus and trekking)to Wuyipeng Panda Observation House: try to
watching Giant Pandas in Nature, and watch other animals and birds such
Blood Pheasants, Koklass Pheasant, Terminck's Tragpan, Firethroat etc..
                               Overnight at the Panda Observation House
Day 5:Wuyipeng vicinity areas: Try to watch pandas in nature in the morning
and in the afternoon walk down the mountain.
                                              Overnight at Wolong Hotel
Day 6:Drive to the top of Mt. Balangshan (4480m):admire the beautiful scenery and try to watch some high mountain animals and birds.
                                             Overnight at Wolong Hotel
Day 7:Drive to Dujaingyan City to visit the 2,200-year old Dijaingyan
Irrigation System first, then visit the Musk Deer Breding Farm.
                                          Overnight at Chengdu Hotel