Wolong Nature Reserve

(Local Name: Gou) Covering an area of 2000sq.km/770sq.mi, this nature reserve lies some 130km/80mi west of Chengdu. Surrounded by mountains more than 5000m/1930ft high, the reserve is home to 60 different types of mammals, including pandas and snub-nosed apes, 300 kinds of birds and 4000 species of plants, including giant redwood trees. A research station has been set up here to study the habits of pandas.