Melinda's Japanese Adventure: Chengdu

From Xian we moved further south to Chengdu. This ended up being our favorite place that we visited. Here we saw even fewer westerners than anywhere else. People essentially come to Chengdu for two reasons--to visit the Panda Preserve (there is both a breeding center in Chengdu itself and a larger Panda Preserve two hours outside the city at Bifengxia) or as a stopping point on the way to Tibet. The countryside was absolutely beautiful around Chengdu.

So, we arrived, had to fight once again about the smoking room, and ended up with a wonderful suite that looked out over the city square.

Our first day we visited an ancient irrigation system. I was reluctant to go there as it sounded really boring. But, it was a pretty drive and a cool place. We all walked across a long bridge (one of those rope things) that swayed and swayed. It was scary but also really fun.

The beautiful river at the irrigation works. There are also lovely buildings but many of these are new. A few years back there was a terrible earthquake that destroyed many things (including the Panda Preserve which was then moved from Woolong to Bifengxia).

Sam looking out at the river.

A pagoda on the hill overlooking the river.

The next day was our day to go to the Panda Preserve in Bifengxia. It was a long drive but very pretty. All along the roads were tea farms and rapeseed fields.

Rapeseed field seen from the window of our very fast moving vehicle!

Graham getting ready to volunteer at the Panda Preserve. Shortly after this photo was snapped he decided he looked dorky and tried to get out of volunteering. But, he put on his sunglasses (disguise-wear) and stuck it out.

Volunteer Sam.

Sam and a panda. Pandas are very naughty. They are rather slow-moving but can be really ornery.

Volunteers get to hand feed some pandas, but the pandas are herded into their cages for this. They have been known to take a bit out of people when the idea pops into their heads.

Sam got to visit with a panda. This panda is about a year and a half old. It was so cute to see them together.

The panda was supposed to go back in his enclosure after his encounter with Sam but instead he hopped up and broke a sink and then climbed back into the swing and refused to leave!

Sleepy panda.

After a long day with pandas, why not a little cup of tea?

Our last day we went to see the Leshan Buddha. I do NOT recommend this side trip. It took forever to get there and was not really all that interesting.