Chengdu: homeland of panda for a reason

Updated: 2011-12-05 17:17

(chinadaily.com.cn)

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On Nov 19, Tan Kai, vice president of the Sichuan Provincial Leisure and Cultural Research Society, told stories of giant pandas and Chengdu to local residents. Chengdu lived up to its reputation as the "homeland of the panda".

He said the reputation as the "homeland of the panda" is owed to the city's geographical advantages and historical culture.

The habitat of the panda spreads from the Qinling mountains and the Minshan mountains in the north to Qionglai Mountain, the Daxiangling and Xiaoxiangling mountains and the Daliangshan and Xiaoliangshan mountains. Chengdu is located in the center of this "kingdom of pandas". Panda's habitats are also found in Dujiangyan, Pengzhou, Chongzhou and Dayi in Chengdu's administrative region.

On July 16, 2005, a giant panda walked into the downtown area of Dujiangyan and caused a sensation in the world, setting the foundation for the city's name of the "homeland of panda". On July 12, 2006, Chengdu was listed as the "Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary" on the World Heritage List. In addition, Sichuan is home to the largest artificial propagation panda species.

People in Chengdu love pandas so much, they made the city's mascot in the image of a giant panda. The "Panda Plaza" and "Panda International Shopping Mall" were built in downtown Chengdu. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is currently under extension. Chengdu is striding toward the goal of a forest city. The city is becoming more suitable for pandas to live and give birth to their offspring. Chengdu deserves the reputation of the "homeland of panda".