A trip to China’s Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is incomplete without a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. This public non-profit breeding and research institute, located about 10km from the city centre, was founded by the Chengdu Municipal People’s Government in 1987.
Here, the pandas live in glass enclosures that allow visitors to marvel at these adorable black-and-white bears – as they eat and play with each other – from a safe distance.
Tourists looking for more historical and cultural experiences will find the Dujiangyan Irrigation System intriguing. Even though it was built in 256BCE, it is amazingly still in use to this day. Not only is it the world’s oldest no-dam irrigation system, it is also the only surviving one. In 2000, it was inscribed on Unesco’s World Heritage Site list.
Located across the river from it is the Guanxian Ancient City, where buildings featuring Ming and Qing architectural elements dot the place. Visitors wanting to fully immerse themselves can even rent the local traditional attire to wear as they explore the city. – Text by Florey D. Mikil; Photos by Izzrafiq Alias
> See all the pictures in the Media Gallery below.
Chengdu attractions
A male panda named Mei Lan, born on Sep 6, 2006, enjoying his bamboo. — Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
A panda eating bamboo at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.
A mother panda named Fu Lu playing with her daughter Fu Ru.
Fu Ru lives in a glass cage that allows public viewing for the visitors.
Two kids posing for a photograph with a panda statue.
The Anlan Bridge at Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Chengdu.
Paper poster making process were shown live to the visitors at the Erwang Temple.
Shop traders taking a break and having lunch together at the Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Chengdu.
A little kid stands amidst the love messages left by visitors at the Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Chengdu.
Li Bing and Li Erlang statues in Chengdu, dedicated to the father-son duo responsible for the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.
Visitors on the Anlan Bridge enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Dujiangyan Irrigation System’s main entry and lookout point, Qinyan Tower.
Two women dressed in traditional attire promoting their dress rental service to tourists at Guanxian Ancient City in Chengdu.
A mother accompanying her daughter while walking on the clean drains at the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.
Muslim restaurant owners posing in front of their shop.
A woman promoting a dress rental service at Guanxian Ancient City.
An Imam reading the old scripture at the old mosque at Guanxian Ancient City.
A woman posing for photograph for her friend.
Four women dressed in traditional attire taking a rest from promoting the dress rental service.
A man holding a love greeting card pasted on the wall at the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.
Locals wandering around the ancient city.
A mother carrying her cute son at Chengdu's Guanxian Ancient City.
