wolong nature preserve closed to visitors?

I%26#39;ve heard from some people in China that the Wolong Nature Preserve is closed to visitors? If so, is this a new thing and how long would it be that way?

wolong nature preserve closed to visitors?

We don%26#39;t think it is closed.

dragonexpeditions.com/en/鈥ccess-west-sichuan

If you are looking for an alternative, the breeding and research station in the N.East of Chengdu City is a lot more accessable and offers panda hugging (at a price) and pandas of all ages.

wolong nature preserve closed to visitors?

Do you know if the reserve has an offical website, phone number, or email? In chinese is okay.

http://www.pandaclub.net

What readers have to understands is that the Panda research center base that most visitors to Wolong visit isn%26#39;t a preserve/reserve type environment as one would expect in a western style conservation habitat - its more a small panda breeding farm that has been styled to attract tourists, which means that it has the appearance of a zoo (even though the animals have large areas to roam there are enclosures and cages). Most visitors never set foot on the rugged paths that lead to the uplands and forest habitats that contain the incredible natural treasures of this area - and not much provision is made for the more ambitious visitor in the way of signposted paths or trails.

However if you%26#39;re fit enough, and are looking for real adventure - then getting into the real nature reserve rather than just visiting the zoo is quite an experience!!!!!!!

As for Wolong being open - I can%26#39;t see any reason for it being closed. There is no history of trouble in this area - you have to travel a couple of hundred Kms before you reach potential hot-spots.

I suppose contacting Chengdu backpacker type hostels is the best way of getting current info. Wolong itself doesn%26#39;t seem to provide any sophisticated service apparatus that gives current info. Sim%26#39;s Hostel in Chengdu has a website - with Emails and telephone - why not give them a call and ask if their guests are still visiting Wolong. Here%26#39;s the link for them -

http://www.gogosc.com/en.asp

I just came back from Wolong the day before yesterday,5th April.I can say our trip went on smoothly and had no any trouble.I also met other groups there,so it is opened completely.

The pandaclub site looks like it%26#39;s more for research/adopting pandas and information like that, but not too much about actually visiting the reserve (like hours, fees, etc).

Is there any other site that tells the hours and fees? Also, are the phone numbers and emails on the panda club site to the wolong reserve or is the wolong panda club an separate organization from the actual facility?

I%26#39;m just looking for links/info to show some people to prove that it%26#39;s still open to visitors, not just open for research and adoption, etc.

The pandaclub is a site about making money out of pandas.

Just as Wolong is a lot about making money out of tourists.

For those of us who live in the area - we are glad that Pandas give the local authorities a reason to conserve the environment - and that conservation can also bring economic benefit. But we also realise that the environment is so under threat in Sichuan through urban development and Social Change - that these monies have to carefully spent to ensure effective conservation for this and other vulnerable area of great eco-diversity(in the five years I%26#39;ve lived in Sichuan, Wolong has been so developed - the new road, building up Wolong town and other villages).

So if you do decide to spend a small fortune on your Panda hug try and ask a discreet question or two about conservation projects and how your money is used to save Wolong wildlife. Remember Wolong is not just about Pandas - there are many endangered species in this area, such as Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard and snub nose monkey - it would be nice if specific conservation efforts were made for these animals - even if they%26#39;re not as cuddly as Pandas.

As for getting finding out opening times and that kind of stuff in China - well since you don%26#39;t directly make money out of that kind of info - its often overlooked. But rest assured - the Panda center will probably be open between 8am and 6pm every day of the year!!!!