Interludes from Chinese Class: Panda Research Base

I felt like I had to go to the Panda Research Base in Chengdu before I left. I got pressure from friends telling me that I should go and take pictures. So even though I don't really care much for animals, and I don't quite find pandas cute, on my final weekend, I went to the Panda Research Base on the northern side of the city, together with a classmate.

We took the metro to Panda Avenue, and from there it was an easy bus ride. We bought tickets, and after gaining entry, we were on our way to the giant park with pandas. We somehow got the tip that it was better to go there early, as during the morning the pandas are most active, and when it is around mid-day they would just be sleeping and snoozing, after eating their meals of bamboo. So we went, together with everyone and their grandmother.

The above are some of the pictures I took. It was rather hard to take these photos, as it was actually a very crowded place. I had to compete with the crowds to take these photos. And at some point, I just got sick of doing so.

I also saw the red pandas, and I have to say, they were more enjoyable to see. They were smaller, yet they were much more lively. They were territorial, and they would fight other red pandas if these would stray into their territory. I had fun watching them for a while, yet I didn't take any more photos at this point.

In any case, around mid-afternoon we called it quits. We headed back to the city, and soon enough it would be time for me to leave.