The Red Panda in Chengdu

The Panda, China’s national animal, is arguably one of the most lovable and iconic creatures in the world. Our itinerary in Chengdu included a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a renowned center dedicated to the conservation of this endangered species. While we did manage to catch a glimpse of the pandas, it wasn’t without a bit of a struggle - maneuvering through the dense crowd of visitors that packed the center that day was no easy feat.

This wasn’t my first encounter with a panda. I had the rare opportunity not just to see, but actually to "cuddle" a panda during a visit to the Chongqing Zoo back in 1993, as part of a tour organized by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia. That experience remains a cherished memory.

This time, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about another lesser-known species—the Red Panda. Unlike the iconic black-and-white Giant Panda we all know, the Red Panda resembles a raccoon and is much smaller in size. In Chinese, the two animals are referred to as the "Big Panda" and the "Small Panda," but beyond the name and their shared love for bamboo, they are entirely different species. Interestingly, the Red Panda is known to be more aggressive than its more docile counterpart, which explains why cuddling a Red Panda is certainly not on the list of things to do at the Research Base!

I don’t recall paying a hefty fee to hold a panda back in 1993, but times have changed. At the Chengdu Research Base, cuddling a panda now comes with a steep price tag of RMB 2,000. However, I can fully understand the reasoning behind such a high cost. Any lower fee would likely attract overwhelming crowds, placing immense stress on the animals and potentially endangering their health.

What impressed me most was the level of care and commitment shown by the Chinese authorities in their efforts to protect this precious species. The RMB 2,000 “donation” isn’t just a fee - it’s a meaningful contribution to the conservation and well-being of the Giant Panda. For true panda lovers, it’s a small price to pay to support the survival of one of the world’s most beloved animals.

Red Panda.

A tourist after paying RMB2,000 and donning full gear of sanitary protective clothing, cap and surgical mask would have the luxury of watching and examining the Panda at close range.

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I can't recall paying any major fee to cuddle a Panda in Chongqing Zoo in 1993. That was 23 years ago!