The giant pandas are one of China's national treasures found only in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. They are not only beloved by the Chinese but also by people the world over. In total there are fewer than 1000 pandas left in the world, and 80% are distributed within Sichuan province. So when visitors come to Chengdu, Sichuan's capital city, one of their main objectives will be to see the pandas up close and in person.
Located just 10km (6miles) away from downtown Chengdu, the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center has been created to imitate the pandas' natural habitat so that they might have the best possible environment for breeding and rearing their young. The Center also cares for other rare and endangered wild animals such as lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks and in addition over 20 more species. The Research Center covers an area of 560 mus (92 acres), 96% of which is verdure.
The Giant Panda Museum opened in 1993 to further scientific education and to build public awareness of the protection of wild creatures and their environment. It is the only museum for rare and endangered animal species in the world, and the samples on file number more than ten thousand. The three main exhibitions are in the Giant Panda Hall, the Butterfly Hall and the Vertebrate Hall, and include all kinds of photos and more than 2,140 different nature samples gathered in Sichuan, including animals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects as well as fossils. There is also a library of thousands of books and documents. This excellent and comprehensive museum is wonderful for all who are interested in the propagation and protection of the region's natural bio-diversity.
