Wanglang Natural Reserve

   North of Chengdu, established in 1963 , is located in the Minshan Mountains in some of China's most important panda habitat. Wanglang, whose purpose is to protect the giant panda and its habitat, and the 10 other nearby reserves in remote areas of northern Sichuan are critical to the continued survival of the giant panda. 
     There are estimated to be about 30 wild pandas living in Wanglang. At Wanglang you have a unique opportunity to experience the lush forests, beautiful mountains, and thick bamboo groves of the panda’s home. Additionally, you can visit the colorful Baima people who have lived in the area just outside the reserve for hundreds of years.
      Because there are no captive pandas at the reserve and because wild pandas live in high mountain areas in thick foliage and avoid humans, you will probably not see a panda at Wanglang, However, your trip to the panda's home will be one you will talk about for years to come and your visit to Wanglang will help support conservation of the world's treasured creatures, the giant panda.
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    The lodge is in a quiet mountain valley at the Headquarters of Wanglang Reserve. The lodge can accommodate 50 people (ten triple and ten double rooms). One triple and one double room share a bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower.
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    The Information Center at the Reserve entrance (Baozigou) has displays highlighting Wanglang's history, ecology, geology, flora, and fauna; panda ecology; the Baima culture, and the panda conservation program by WWF.
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   it is rare to see pandas. Takin, musk deer, blue sheep as well as other animals can be seen occasionally. Birdwatching is excellent, especially during the spring and fall migration seasons. To increase your chances of seeing and hearing the wildlife and birds, be quiet and wear muted colors.
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    The mountain weather is changeable, and it can be much colder and rainier at Wanglang than at lower elevations. Bring extra clothes for warmth and rain protection and wear comfortable, waterproof walking shoes. Bring sunscreen for sunny days. June, July, and August receive the most rain, however, it can rain anytime. Snow is possible as early as September, but is most prevalent from November through March.
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    Wanglang is in a mountainous area ranging in elevation from 2,430 to 4,980 meters (7,533 to 15,438 feet). These mountains, which are in the transition zone between the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and the Sichuan Basin, were formed by uplifting, folding, and earthquake activity. Huge landslides beneath the towering peaks attest to recent earthquake activity.
    There are many species of trees, shrubs, grasses, ferns, and other plants at Wanglang. Spruce, larch, fir, pine, cedar, and birch are common trees. Parts of Wanglang were logged in the 1950's, and the staff tells fascinating stories about the Reserve's efforts to reclaim the logged areas. Old growth timber, hundreds of years old, still grow in the higher elevations. Visitors can walk through rhododendron forests and towering pines to high mountain passes. A species list of plants in the Reserve is available at the Wanglang Forest Lodge.

    Wanglang Reserve was established to protect the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). By protecting pandas and their habitat, the reserve also protects other wildlife that live in the area. The golden snub-nosed monkey (rhinopithecus roxellarae), the takin (budorcas taxicolor), and the leopard cat (panthera pardus) are three threatened species that live in the forests and meadows of Wanglang. Other mammals at Wanglang include bear, fox, various wild cats, lynx, red panda, musk deer, blue sheep, and picas. A species list of animals in the area is available at the Wanglang Forest Lodge.
   Birds in Wanglang Many birds inhabit or migrate through Wanglang. A bird list containing common and rare species is available at the Wanglang Forest Lodge.
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How to Protects the Giant Panda in Wanglang

1,    Patrolling the Reserve for poachers and sick or injured pandas.
2,    Protecting the forests as a key habitat area.
3,    Educating visitors about panda protection and environmental issues.
4,Supporting panda research.
5,Providing a corridor for panda migration between adjacent panda habitats.
6,Educating local residents about the value of conserving pandas.
7,Supporting economic development of local communities to minimize their need to use panda habitat for to provide for their livelihood
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What You do to Protect Pandas

           1,  Know and follow the regulations of the Reserve.
2,Don't purchase or eat any kind of wild meat.
3,Make a donation to panda conservation at Wanglang Nature Reserve
4,Purchase souvenirs at the Reserve, a portion of which supports panda conservation programs at Wanglang.
5,Join an environmental organization to protect wildlife.
6,Tell a friend about Wanglang and panda protection.

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