Panda Research Institute! And many more adventures...

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Today (well, officially yesterday...) us USAC students went to the Panda Research Institute, where I got to see pandas in real life! It was quite a life-changing experience, because not many people can say they've been to the actual research and development center. Here, research teams from around the world breed pandas, care for baby pandas, and develop new methodologies pertaining to sucessful pregnancies.
And the long bus ride was worth it...the baby pandas were so cute! Red pandas are really cool, too!
We were given the option of holding a panda for 1500 kuai (or about $230). I was so tempted to do it...where else in the world can you hold a panda for a couple of minutes? But then again, that money could instead go toward a trip to Thailand...Guilin...Tibet...

I also had the chance to explore Tibetan street for the past couple of days. And, it's right outside the school campus! It's definately one of my favorite places to go to. One can experience the culture of Tibet, as well as the Tibetan language, without having to physically go there. Of course, it's not even close to experiencing Tibet itself...but for now, I'm happy with it!

I also went to the down-town shopping center of Chengdu. It's a very beautiful area. In a way, it made me homesick for Beijing. For some reason...Beijing just clicked with me.

I've also been spending a lot of my time exploring small streets and hidden alley ways with my friend, Mackenzie. For sure, this is one of the best ways to meet people, and get a feel for the culture! Last night, two guys talked with us for hours and bought us beer!

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Photos

Panda Research Institute.
Me with a sleeping panda!

Panda Research Institute.
We're twins!

Panda Research Institute.
Aw!

Panda Research Institute.
Look at that fat little bottom!

Panda Research Institute.
This panda was about four months old...

Panda Research Institute.
Me and Allison.

Panda Research Institute.
I don't know who the girl is on the left, but there's Allison, me, Analise, Professor Jielun, Madi, Mackenzie and Rockie.

Panda Research Institute.
A bear skull (on the left) compared to a panda skull (on the right). The panda jaw line is so much bigger...

Panda Research Institute.
So cute!

Panda Research Institute.
There were peacocks everywhere.

Panda Research Institute.
Eating bamboo. Apparently, no one knows why they switched from meat to bamboo as their primary source of food. Because bamboo provides no energy, they're always weak, and cannot mate easily.

Comments

[Panda]

AWESOME
haha you saw the real panda. baby panda are cute, but it is not worth to pay that much money just for holding them. Sichuan province has a lot of nice spicy food, try them.

[Jennie]

The Ultimate Tourist
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