Wolong Nature Reserve
A Cute Panda
Giant Pandas in Wolong
Wolong National Natural Reserve
The Wolong National Nature Reserve is located in Wenchuan County of Aba, about 130 km (81 miles) away from Chengdu City and over 50 km (31 miles) from Dujiangyan City. The nature reserve is always known as the Pandas' Homeland, 'Treasury of Biologic Genes' and Natural Zoological and Botanical Garden. It is the central part of the world natural heritage site - the Sichuan Giant Panda Habitat.
Wolong, covering the two villages of Wolong and Gengda, is the first special nature reserve administrative zone of China directly dominated by the State Forestry Administration. The nature reserve was founded in 1963, with an area of 200,000 hectares (494,210 acres). It mainly protects giant pandas and other rare animals along with the ecological system of forests. The giant pandas in the nature reserve number over 100, accounting for 10% of the total in China. The penned giant pandas number over 80, 60% of the whole in the world. Apart from giant pandas, other animals, such as golden monkey, takin, small panda, white-lipped deer, golden eagle, can also be found. According to the statistics, varieties of fauna here include 103 beasts, 283 birds, 21 amphibians, 25 reptiles, 18 fishes and about 1,700 insects; varieties of flora number nearly 4,000.
The nature reserve has set up the breeding area, museum, and a field observation station for giant pandas, which are good places to view these cute animals. Wolong is also blessed with spectacular landscapes - high mountains, snow capped peaks, primitive forests, gorges, waterfalls, springs, and caves, as well as deep Tibetan and Qiang ethnic cultures. The scenic spots like Yingxiong Valley and Yinchang Valley are accessible for sightseeing.
Entrance Fees:
Entrance Fee for the mountain: CNY 15
Giant Panda Museum: CNY 30
Small Panda Museum: CNY 5
Yingxiong Valley: CNY 25
Transportation:
A. Travelers can take the long-distance bus to Xiaojin County from Chengdu Ximen or Chadianzi Bus Station and get off at Wolong. The bus departs at 06:40 and takes about 4 hours to get there.
B. Besides, there are also buses running to Wolong in the morning and afternoon from Dujiangyan City.
Ruoergai Grasslad
The Hongyuan-Ruoergai Grassland is located in the northeastern Hongyuan and Ruoergai Counties of Aba and is the largest grassland in Sichuan Province. During the time of the Long March of CCP (1934 - 1936), the Red Army spent a lot of time in this area; hence there are many stories and revolutionary relics relating to the grasslands, which have made it well-known throughout China.
Hongyuan-Ruoergai Grassland, one of the China's three largest wetlands, is an area of meadows, grassland and marshland, covering nearly 30,000 square kilometers (7.4 million acres). It is the place where many nomadic Tibetan tribes chose to settle. The grassland is flat, immense and sparsely inhabited and is blessed with enticing scenery. In the south looms the imposing Zhegu Mountain, which is show-capped throughout the year. The grassland is also home to primitive forests, valley farmlands, star-stubbed lakes, winding rivers, green grasses, brilliant flowers, various migrant birds and wild animals, as well as Tibetan temples and tents.
Famous grasslands here include Reerba, Songpan and Hongyuan. Places of cultural interest situated within the grassland include the First Bend of the Yellow River, the Deer-breeding Ground, Moon Bay, Sun Lake, Flower Lake, the Jiangzha Hot Spring, Baiwa Temple, Dageze Temple, the Waqie Buddhist Pagodas and Seergu Tibetan Village.
Lodging
There are comfortable hotels in Ruoergai and Hongyuan counties and Tangke Village. There are also tent hostels at the First Bend of the Yellow River and the Waqie Scenic Area, with electric heated carpets. You can also camp there, but a sleeping bag is recommended as they are not provided.
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