The giant pandas are one of the symbols of the People's Republic of China. Due to the threat of extinction, the Chinese government initiated a national protection program. As a result, 40 reserves were established, covering an area of over 10,000 square kilometers. Near the city of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, there is one of these sanctuaries where visitors can admire the giant pandas in a park-like setting. Great emphasis is also placed on the breeding of the giant pandas.
The Wolong Nature Reserve is located about 100 kilometers northwest of Chengdu. It spans 2,000 square kilometers of mountain forest and was established in June 1980 primarily for the protection of the giant panda, about 10% of whose wild population lives here. The area also houses a research and breeding station for giant pandas. Various breeding programs there have led to the birth of 86 panda cubs by 2010.
In 2006, UNESCO included this nature reserve in the list of World Natural Heritage Sites.
