Beijing Zoo

founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the park housed only 12 monkeys, two parrots and a blind emu. The park was reopened to the public in 1950, and on April 10, 1955 formally named the Beijing Zoo.

The zoo has developed rapidly and by 1987 it covered an area of over 40,000 square meters. Bears, elephants, pandas, lions, tigers, songbirds, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, antelopes and giraffes were brought in the late 1950s, and a gorilla cage, leaf-monkey cage and aquarium house, was opened, containing specimens of over 100 species of reptiles from all over the world, including crocodiles and pythons.

At present, the zoo houses over 7,000 creatures of 600 different species, including the giant panda, red-crowned crane and Pere David's deer-all unique to China-as well as the African giraffe, rhinoceros, chimpanzee and antelope; American continent; wild ox from Europe; and elephant and gibbon from India.

Panda House,BeijingThe busiest area of the Beijing Zoo is the famous Panda House, home to giant and lesser pandas of China. It is located in the northwest area of Beijing. Don't miss the small Red Pandas in the trees as you exit. Lakes and gardens abound in the zoo complex which is a weekend destination for families. During the week for school groups make the zoo a very busy place. If you have never seen a Panda don't miss the opportunity.

There are about 1,000 wild Giant Panda living in northwest of Sichuan Province, the most famous Nature Reserve is Wolong Nature Reserve.

Wolong Nature Reserve is located approximately 120km (74 miles) northwest of Chengdu and includes the Giant Panda Research Center. It is about 3 hours drive from Chengdu.

The nature reserve covers an area of over 2,000 sq km and is a refuge for other rare and endangered species including the snow leopard, golden monkey, golden langur, musk deer and red panda. The UN has declared Wolong an international biosphere preserve and in addition to the wealth of fauna, 4,000 different types of plants are believed to grow here.