Pandas and more

Chengdu is home to 21 million people and around 200 pandas in the Research and Panda breeding centre. Well there would be, but many of them are off on Panda diplomacy - sent to zoos in different countries as a friendly gesture and to open trade relations.

This is a very popular tourist destination, and while we arrived early enough to beat the rush, it was still fairly crowded and I couldn't wait to get out of there - lucky Brad is tall enough to see over the heads and take photos. The ones hanging around in the trees are the younger ones (teenagers?). The red pandas are very cute.

We visited a local tea house for some jasmine tea, and for those who wanted it, could get a neck massage and/or ear massage. I had both - the ear one was a weird sensation.
We walked through matchmaker corner where usually the parents of their single 25 year old son of daughter, "advertise" their availability. The parents set up a date with people they think are suitable for their child. (No photos permitted as the sheets contain personal information - not that I could read it)

Finished our time in Chengdu with a stroll along the river to look at the lights. Still plenty of activity with groups dancing, exercising etc. We have found all the cities we have been to are very clean, no graffiti, and we have felt very safe and the people are very friendly.Read more