Before we moved on to Shanghai, we would be visiting the Chengdu Panda Breeding andamp; Research Centre. I think everyone on the trip has been looking forward to this visit.andnbsp;

Panda Research Centre.

We were all taken to the Panda Breeding & Research Centre & our guide did a good job of showing us around & making sure we saw as much as we could in the few hours we had there. We were told how the breeding centre worked & then taken around to view the different Pandas. They all seemed very happy & the grounds they are kept in looked large enough for them, unlike some of the zoos I have been in. I took hundreds of photos & if I lived nearby, I would probably be there every weekend taking photos of the different Pandas.

I was surprised by the cost of souvenirs. I was expecting the normal inflated prices, but the goods were all great value & I soon bought a great panda t-shirt & a couple of cuddly pandas for my niece. In many places you go, souvenirs are cheaper outside or in the local area. That was not the case here & if you are visiting, buy your gifts inside; they are great quality & great value.

Chengdu Panda Research Centre.

Photos from the Giant Panda Research Centre.

About the Chengdu Panda Research Centre.

The Chengdu Giant Panda & Research Centre is a public, non-profit breeding & research institute for giant pandas, red pandas, & other rare animals located in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. It was founded in 1987 by the Chengdu Municipal People's Government. It started with 6 giant pandas that were rescued from the wild. By 2008, it had 124 panda births, & the captive panda population had grown to 83.

Its stated goal is to be a world-class research facility, conservation education centre, & international educational tourism destination.

Shanghai.

After our visit to see the Giant Panda, we travelled to the airport in Chengdu. We were met at the airport for our lunch. Lunch today was a Subway sandwich. They had been ordered & arrived at the airport shortly after we did. Some of the group ate them as they were delivered, whilst I saved mine to eat in the departure lounge. However, The drinks had to be consumed immediately as we could not take them through security. This was the first time on the trip that I think the organisation could have been better.

After our flight arrived at Shanghai airport, we had to wait for our coach as there was a backup of coaches & cars waiting to get out. We were passed by the Maglev train on the way to Shanghai from the airport. We were told that the 40 to 60-minute coach journey would take 7 minutes if we had done the same trip on the train. Perhaps we should have travelled on the train as it took us about half an hour to get on our coach, let alone make the trip.

We were due to take a trip up the Jin Mao Tower tonight to see the city as the light faded & the Shanghai skyline lit up. Unfortunately, the smog was so bad that we would not have been able to see anything at all & the trip was cancelled. I went to my room & had an early night-