Our next stop was Chongquing. This city has a population of 33,000,000. It has twenty-three bridges crossing the river within the city. It was the most bombed city during WWII and the Flying Tigers landed on an island in the middle of the Yangtze River.
We were up and out of our hotel bright and early and headed to the zoo to see the pandas. The zoo is in the center of the city, in fact our tour guide lived in an apartment at the entrance of the zoo. The zoo is and old WWII bunker people would go to during air raids. Our guide was quite proud of the zoo but to me it seemed a bit sad. Certainly not a large "natural environment" for the pandas.
As we entered the zoo we saw red pandas.
When we arrived the guide told us to stay at the panda area, it was just about time to feed the pandas and they'd come out soon. He then took the path around to the back but soon returned - they began feeding both the adults and baby. (magic or influence?) There are eight adults and one baby.
The next morning we were able st spend some time at a park near our hotel. We were told that this is a very active community area where most of the socializing occurs. The morning we were at the park there was dancing, Tai Chi, exercise, card playing (gambling is illegal, wink wink) and many grandparents caring for their little grandchildren.
A very interesting form of "potty training" they have in China!
I was interested in the baby packs they carried the children on their backs with. There is a little seat for the toddler to sit on but no way to strap them in at all.
Everyone was quite helpful teaching me to use the "gym equipment."
After lunch we boarded our cruise ship for our Yangtze River Cruise.
As we entered the zoo we saw red pandas.
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