A panda-themed train debuted earlier this month in Chengdu, China. Operated by China Railway Chengdu Bureau Group, it is known as the “panda train.”
Chengdu is known as the “Panda City” not only because it is located in the Sichuan Province, in Southwest China, which accomodates the bears’ natural habitat, but also because it is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a conservation and research centre dedicated to the preservation of the threatened animals.
The new train is a symbol of Chengdu’s culture, as it intertwines local traditions with public infrastructure. Designed with panda motifs, both the interior and exterior of the wagons feature bear faces and bamboo-inspired furnishings, as the animals’ renowned favourite food.
The newly launched panda-themed tourist train, operated by CR-Chengdu, boasts an ingenious design and top-tier facilities, offering exceptional services for a wide range of tourists. #ChinaRailway #TrainTravel pic.twitter.com/GqeOqSroUT
— China Railway (@ChinaRailways) November 20, 2024
But the train is not all. There is also a panda-themed station. Located in the Anjing township in Chengdu, it is not just a platform to wait for your next ride, it is designed as a cultural experience for visitors, with colourful murals and a 3D bear sculpture at the square.
The Anjing Station will be one of the main stops of the “panda train”, which has already completed more than 90 trips and has served over 25,000 passengers. Both the train route and station are expected to not only further improve transport infrastructure in the reagion, but also boost tourism and foster cultural exchange between tourists and locals.
A new panda-themed tourist #train made its debut on Sunday at Anjing Railway Station in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The high-end boutique tourist train with catering, accommodation and entertainment services is expected to begin operation in 2025. #tourism pic.twitter.com/5ThAXf26oa
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) November 12, 2024
Chinese National treasure and symbol of the World Wildlife Fund, Giant Pandas are among the rarest endangered animal species on the planet, only about 1,800 still living in the wild. They populate large baboo forests in the Tibetan foothills of the Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces, 80% being found in Sichuan. There are several Giant Panda bases in and around Chengdu, welcoming visitors to not just see and learn about the animals, but also to interact with them.
China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), Dujiangyan Panda Base, offers volunteer programs that give visitors an opportunity to get closer contact with the animals, working with the staff to take care of the pandas. The Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base specialises in the care of breeding and therefore baby pandas. August and September are the best months to visit for seeing newborn panda cubs.
Lastly, for those wanting to get a glimpse of what the pandas behave like in their natural habitat, the Wolong National Nature Reserve, or Wolong Panda Center, about 120 km northwest of Chengdu, is considered he real hometown of wild pandas. It is a newly built centre that focuses on panda wilderness training programs and visitors can hike in the wild pandas’ habitat for a chance to see the animals undisturbed by humans.
