Guestbook Lonely Planet's David Andrew visited Changqing in 2005... "The giant panda's solitary nature makes it extremely hard to observe in the wild, and even today after decades of intensive research and total protection in dedicated reserves, sightings are rare. A few years ago the thought of travelling to China to track giant pandas seemed an impossible dream, but in 2005 I was lucky enough to be involved in field research on the animals in Changqing Nature Reserve, Shaanxi province. Changqing Nature Reserve boasts a comparitively high density of pandas, and trained local guides monitor the bears' movements year round. But even so, the pandas are still mighty hard to find: the terrain is ruggedly mountainous and we spent days clambering up steep hillsides only to lose the trail among dense bamboo thickets. The guides assured us the weather was to blame, as it had been unseasonably hot and the pandas had sort the comparitive coolness of the mountain tops. We didn't manage to see any pandas on the first trip of the study, but we vowed to return in the dead of winter when, the guides assured us, pandas were easier to track in the snow. Fortunately, giant pandas leave abundant traces of their passage, so to speak, and their droppings gave us enough clues to their life histories, population dynamics and feeding habits to make the study a success. Changqing Nature Reserve is open to visitors and is well worth a visit for its relatively unspoilt montane forest and the chance to see giant pandas in the wild. Find out more at www.cqpanda.com" Reproduced with permission from the Lonely Planet guidebook China 2007 © Lonely Planet Publications

Changqing Guestbook Comments:

"This place is fantastic - such a welcome change from the haze and pollution so far encountered in cities..." Shelia and Les ( London, U.K. ) September 2007

"Our first visit and it was absolutely amazing! The scenary and the people just made it for us..." - Jody and Jon ( Bristol, U.K. ) September 2007

"I enjoyed the species diversity and it showed more diversity than other forests in China" - Jay (Minnisota U.S.A ) September 2007

"The four days we were in Changqing were the most exhilirating days of our month in China. We met wonderful people, both in the village as well as our guides. The world can be grateful for the care and dedication of the nature reserve staff to maintain this area as a place of refuge for preciuos fauna and flora, and a place of spectacular beauty..." - Phil and Mavis (Washington DC U.S.A) September 2007

"Changqing is a refreshing change of pace tot he hectic frenzy of travel that exists in most other parts of this country. The wildlife tours and guides knowledge is outstanding. I have not come across anything else like it in China..." - Andy (Australia) May 2007

"...I will definantly recommend a visit to Changqing to all British people I can persuade to listen (or read) me" - Paul ( Wanderlust Magazine U.K.) April 2007

"This has been the perfect place to rekindle my love of China. Fresh air, misty peaks and the anticipation of sighting such a precious animal..." - Belinda (Australia) February 2007

"...Thankyou for sharing this most magical place with us through treks, village visits, excellent food and comfortable rooms..." Mary and Rebecca (Minnesota U.S.A.) September 2006

"The staff were especially helpful and we were happy to see that China still does have some of its forests and wildlife left!" - Liz and Dale (San Francisco, U.S.A) May 2005

"A wonderful two weeks, exceptional hospitality and fantastic wildlife" - Dr Tony Lee ( Melbourne, Australia) 2005

Please click HERE to see photos of some of our guests enjoying Changqing Reserve!