Giant Panda territories open for tourists?

Mark B Bartosik , Jun 16, 2005; 11:57 p.m.

Below is a copy of email I received a few days ago. I was not aware that anybody can pay and go to search for pandas. Anybody on this forum who knows more about those offers? Posted photos of giant panda look as they are series of one animal in couple different places.

Dear Mark,

Greetings from the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi in China. Please forgive my venturing to send this email to you. I am just bringing you a very good choice for holidays.

I am very glad to share the relative information about birds in the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi. You may find over 200 kinds of birds on our bird page, you will see them in the Nature Reserves mentioned on our site in the Qinling Mountains.

Qinling Mountains is one of the most biologically rich temperate forest in the world. Running east to west, Qinling Mountains lie in the eastern province of Shaanxi and form a natural division between northern and southern China in terms of geography and climate.

Looking for the bird list and bird images, please see http://www.wildgiantpanda.com/brief.htm ,

In the meanwhile we also provide you several very good itineraries to see bird. Also see Crested Ibis, see the golden Pheasant, please see http://www.wildgiantpanda.com/eco-tour.htm

On our site you must have found many panda pictures and other wild animals' pictures and the itinerary to search pandas etc..

Yes we also provide you a great itinerary to search giant panda, golden monkey and golden takin in the Nature Reserves, among them Foping Nature Reserve has the highest density of panda distribution throughout China, so there must be the greatest chance to see them in pure wild. As well as being fantastically rich in natural resources, Qinling Mountains have a long human history. A short distance to the north-east of Qinling Mountains lies Xi`an, the capital city of the province of Shaanxi. Xi`an is one of the six ancient Chinese capitals and was the starting point of the world-famous "Silk Road". Most people in the world know that Xi An is a very great city that has very long history therefore has so many famous history sites, the famous Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, the Banpo Museum , the History Museum and so on. We also may arrange you to see these great sites joining the Panda Tour and /or Bird Watching.

Are you interest in our offer? Feel free to write back. Any questions please do not hesitate to let me know.

Sincerely Zoe Zuo

======================================== Yangling Panda Eco-Technology Ltd. Room 519, Chuangye Building, No.16, Shennong Road, Yangling Demonstration Zone, Shaanxi Province, P.R.China 712100

Tel?F +86-029-87031715 Email?Fecotour@wildgiantpanda.com Website?Fhttp://www.wildgiantpanda.com

Responses

Greg S , Jun 17, 2005; 03:12 p.m.

"Posted photos of giant panda look as they are series of one animal in couple different places."

I looked at the site to try to ascertain if it's 'for real' or not. Hard to say. Regarding the photos... I don't understand why there are so many (as if all shots from an outing) and the generally very poor quality.

Vivek . , Jun 17, 2005; 05:12 p.m.

Poor quality images.. brilliant business strategy, I think!

Why would they send an advertisement to a photographer with excellent quality images? Great bait!

Greg S , Jun 17, 2005; 05:56 p.m.

I hadn't thought of it that way Vivek... but you may well be right! :) Actually, very few eco-tourist websites have decent photography of the local wildlife.

I'd really like to see that area in China. Perhaps some tourism into the region might help reduce forest loss.

Vivek . , Jun 17, 2005; 06:34 p.m.

"Perhaps some tourism into the region might help reduce forest loss."

May be (let us hope so), Greg.

I have seen touristy (and non touristy) destinations in B.C. with a layer of trees and clear cut areas behind them. Unfortunately, you may be quite familiar with such scenario.

Greg S , Jun 17, 2005; 07:44 p.m.

"Unfortunately, you may be quite familiar with such scenario."

Yep. When we moved to southern Oregon I used to visit timber sale sites as a rep for the local Audubon chapter. Negotiated for protection of stream buffers, wildlife corridors, soil, snags (dead trees, vital for some species), old growth, etc. etc.

Here's the bird (indicator species) that came to symbolize the 'negotiations' = Northern Spotted Owl. This sweetheart lives at the Portland Audubon rehab clinic... was found in the woods, severely injured. She's in good hands now.

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3448573&size=lg

Sorry to highjack your China tour post Mark. -Greg-

Mark B Bartosik , Jun 18, 2005; 04:54 a.m.

No problem Greg. I was afraid that nobody will know something about this place. There is no cost or specific dates listed so I do not quite understand how they operate. Without any outside references I have a hard time to believe that this offer is real, so sending them email won't help me much.

Douglas Stemke , Jun 18, 2005; 07:43 a.m.

You might want to check out this place first and see what they offer.

http://www.wildchina.com/explore/home.asp

No personal experience but they certainly *seem* to legit. based on their trip offerings.

tom walker , Jun 18, 2005; 11:46 a.m.

Try Karen Su's business. I believe he headquarters out of Seattle His web site is www.chinaspan.com A few of my friends went with him over the years and all liked his operation. I have heard a few complaints but nothing outrageous.