I just got back from the Chengdu Panda Research Breeding Center and it was amazing.  I saw tons of pandas, giant and lesser.  I woke up about 6:30am to make sure I got there early because that is when they feed the pandas and it is also when they are the most active.  Getting there was difficult at first.  I stopped like 3 taxis, but none of them spoke English at all.  They didn't even know what a "panda" was.  So I went back to the hotel to get them to write down where I wanted to go in Chinese, but even they didn't fully understand me (they thought I wanted Wolong Nature Reserve which is many hours away from here).  So when I was starting to think all was lost (after all this is the only reason I came to Chengdu) a man started speaking in Chinese to the hotel people.  Then by some miracle I ended up with the hotel driver for the morning.  He agreed to take me to the panda center and back to the hotel.  He even agreed to wait for me for 3 hours and it was cheap.  During the ride there I was still worried that I was going to the right place.  I was afraid that he was taking me to the Chengdu Zoo (which is suppose to not be that good).  But I figured I was along for the ride now.  Well my fears were eased when I saw a street sign that said Chengdu Panda Reserch Breeding Center.  Then a few minutes later I finally made it and let me tell you it was worth the trip to Chengdu just for this.  There were so many giant pandas and lesser pandas to be seen.  I even got to see the little baby giant pandas.  You weren't suppose to take photos of the babies, but I was sneaky and got a few for you anyways even with a security guard sitting right there.



I also got there at just the right time.  the place was not crowded at all and I got to see the pandas get fed which led to a lot of good photos and videos.  The juvenile giant pandas were also super active after eating and started playing with each other.  It was so cute.  Unfortunately I was not able to get to hold a lesser panda, but that is okay because I got to see them up close and active too.  This has been one of my favorite moments so far on this trip along with the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Warriors.  Seeing the pandas interacting with the keepers made me think that maybe I should pursue my dream of being a zoo keeper when I get back.  I just thought that was the coolest thing and the coolest job.  Well here are a few of the pictures I got of the giant pandas.  This juvenile giant panda was climbing a tree.



This juvenile giant panda had just finished eating and was sucking his paw trying to sleep.



This adult giant panda was sleeping in a tree.



Here are 3 juveniles giant pandas.  The one in front is standing up to reach the leaves of the tree so he could eat them.



Here are some pictures of the lesser pandas or red pandas.



These things are about the size of a medium dog and cute as can be.



I also took some random pictures while in the taxi this morning.  I thought it would be cool to just show you some of the random, everday places in Chengdu.