Furry, friendly faced and huggable looking, Giant Pandas are the poster children of the endangered animal lists, but very difficult to meet in the wild. Their remaining high altitude bamboo forests are heavily protected and their dwindling numbers monitored closely by scientists with baited breath and the birth of every new panda cub is greeted with cheers the world over.

There are a few areas, run by conservation organisations being opened up to limited visitors, one of these is in the misty, green Qinling Mountains. Panda trackers escort hopefull visitors into the mountains, looking for tracks, droppings and panda sized disturbed vegetation. The region is untouched bamboo forests so visitors will have to be prepared to trek through difficult and wooded terrain and survive off a diet of packet noodles while staying quiet and still and waiting for the elusive flash of black and white. But many people would consider the opportunity well worth the inconvenience.

Written by  Graeme Harwood.

Add comment

Comments, reviews and questions

There are no posts. Why not be the first to have your say?

Add a comment, review or question

Make a comment Ask a question Write a review

Review title

Your comment

Your rating

Choose rating... Don't go Go Must go

Your name

Your email address