Shaanxi Foping National Natural Reserve

Shaanxi Foping National Nature Reserve is richly endowed with varied landforms and a complex ecosystem containing many rare animals and plants. Pandas have lived there for millions of years, which is contrary to what you might believe that giant pandas are exclusive to Sichuan. Actually, neighboring Shaanxi Province is also home to an important habitat for pandas like the Foping Nature Reserve.

Foping reserve lies in Foping County, Hanzhong City in south Shaanxi Province. Covering an area of 72,253 acres (19,240 ha), the reserve is about 98 miles (158 km) to the northeast of Hanzhong and 113 miles (215 km) southwest of Xi’an. The reserve has been described as the “Natural Animal and Plant Gene Base”.

Rare Animals

Some 300 kinds of wild animals live in the nature reserve. About 100 giant pandas live there, along with more than 600 golden monkeys considered to be a “Second National Treasure”. Other rare animals include takins, leopards, golden eagles, forest musk deer, lesser pandas, black bears, barking deer, gorals, golden pheasants, Reeves's pheasants, and giant salamanders. Insects, amphibians, reptiles and fish species are a major part of the fauna, as well.

Foping Panda Nature Reserve

Giant pandas in the Qinling Mountains are a little different from those in Sichuan. Their chests are dark brown and their abdomens are a lighter shade of brown. The Sichuan pandas’ chests are dark black and their abdomens are white. Compared to those in Sichuan, Qinling pandas look like cats with round heads and big teeth. Some say they are cuter than their Sichuan cousins. They are also praised as the “Beauties of National Treasure”. 30 percent of them live in the reserve in Foping, numbering at least 100.

Brown Giant Panda – Dandan

In March, 1985 an unusual brown-white giant panda was found and saved in Foping. She was named “Dandan”. When she was found, Dandan was about 13 years old and on her last legs. Doctors spared no effort to rescue her. Dandan recovered and gained more than 44 pounds (20 kg). Dandan’s ears, eye sockets, eyelashes, nose, mouth and body stripes were all light brown. With her bright fur, Dandan was praised as “Blonde”, the most beautiful all over the world.

Rare Plants

The reserve is also rich in various plants. There are about 1,583 kinds of plants, of which bryophytes number 30, ferns 71, gymnosperms 20, and angiosperms 1,459. No less than 20 kinds of plants are state-protected plants. Larix chinensis, eucommia ulmoides, sinowilsonia henryi, abieschensiensis, Euptelea pleiospermum, ashtree, coptis chinensis and gastrodin are considered key protected rare plants in China. These rare plants have both economic and medical value. All kinds of rare plants allow nature lovers to enjoy the reserve and learn more about new species.

Notice:

At present, Foping National Nature Reserve is not open to the public. Currently, it only acts as a base for scientific research and environmental preservation.

Foping Panda Valley

This valley, close to the reserve, is open to visitors. Only one panda and a number of golden monkeys can be found in the valley.

Transportation :

1. From Xi’an:

Take Xi’an-Foping bus at Xi’an Bus Station (Shuisi Bus Station) and get off at the gate of Foping Panda Valley. There are two buses a day respectively departing from 9:00 and 14:30.

2. From Hanzhong:

Take a coach from Hanzhong City to Foping County. And then take sightseeing line to the destination.