Driving from the airport into Chengdu, we were told it was a small city. As we approached it, I’m thinking this is huge, with hundreds of modern skyscrapers! Small is apparently a relative term....as Chinese consider Chengdu's 11 million resident population to be “small.” We will need to re-evaluate our terminology for measurement here!
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| Seeking: Intelligent, hard-working Female........ |
First stop was People’s Park- Chengdu’s equivalent of Central Park. Gardens, lakes, boating, etc. but most interesting was the “matchmaking area.” Here, individual parents or “matchmaking agents” post signs along the walkways with both milling about negotiating potential matches. No pictures were allowed to ensure that a person be judged based on their attributes, and not appearance. A low-tech internet dating service of sorts. What is different in this case is that it is the parents (or a matchmaking agent hired by the parents to do the search), are usually doing this without the knowledge OR consent of their son or daughter! Talk about “helicopter parenting!” The other notable element of People’s Park were the individually sectioned areas where there were simultaneous events occurring. Cultural dance performances, singers, musicians, or participatory dancing- from Tai Chi, Zumba, and couples doing the Cha Cha Cha and ballroom dancing. The majority of people within the park and participating in the activities were senior citizens. Our guide, Simon, explained that these activities were sponsored by and paid for by the government to encourage the elderly to get out, socialize, and keep active. There was also a large tea house garden, where hundreds of people gathered to partake in tea and chat or play Mahjong.
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| People's Park monument |
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| dancing in the park |
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| Bonsai Garden in People's Park |
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Of course, the highlight of our visit was our time at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Cente,r where we saw about 50 different pandas from young, playful cubs to mature, solitary bears. Young pandas are quite social and playful creatures, but at around five years old, they become solitary and territorial. This is in their nature, given the quantity of bamboo they consume and the availability of bamboo in the wild. Although they are well fed at the center, they maintain their natural habits and characteristics as many are eventually released back into the wild. They were mesmerizing to watch and it was difficult to leave the park.
More Panda Cuteness.......
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| Having some fun with the other guests! |
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| Pandas spend most of their waking hours eating |
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| Baby Panda |
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| More Baby Pandas |
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| Red Panda (actually in the Racoon Family) |
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| Gardens at the Panda Breeding Center |
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| Black Swans in the Gardens |
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From Chengdu, we boarded our first bullet train to Xi'an. The railway network we observed along the way (totally grade separated) was nothing short of amazing. Shame on you America, for the poor transportation infrastructure and lack of vision in what a first-class rail network can provide. Instead, we talk about building a wall.....
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| Fast, comfortable, clean bullet train......did I say fast??? |
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| Our bullet train coming to Xi'an |
Of course, the highlight of our visit was our time at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Cente,r where we saw about 50 different pandas from young, playful cubs to mature, solitary bears. Young pandas are quite social and playful creatures, but at around five years old, they become solitary and territorial. This is in their nature, given the quantity of bamboo they consume and the availability of bamboo in the wild. Although they are well fed at the center, they maintain their natural habits and characteristics as many are eventually released back into the wild. They were mesmerizing to watch and it was difficult to leave the park.
LOVE, LOVE the Pandas!
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