WOW!!!!! We left Beijing on a 36 hour train journey to Chengdu, met two lovely people on the train Wu, Li, Li and her husband Lo, Wen, Min she is a retired professor from beijing uni (history) and he is a famous concert violinist - we had some very interesting conversations... The scenery on the way down was beautiful forever changing, the mountain ranges look unreal its like somebody has drawn them on the horizon just for our benefit.. its much greener this way and the air feels fresher which after beijings poluted air feels fantastic. Met our guide Simon and driver Tom who are brilliant, their english is great so they help to make everything much easier, our hotel is very good we are on the 30th floor which makes us in the clouds! Then first day the most fabulous thing.........PANDAS oh my god! if i never do anything else again hugging a six month old baby panda has got to be the ultimate! he was gorgeous as you can see from the pics totally laid back chewing on his piece of bamboo without any cares in the world. These pandas are in panda heaven they are so looked after you wouldnt believe it! They are waited on hand and foot better than 5 star!! Life doesnt get better than this for them and for us!!! more pics and writing soon.. next stop E-meishan - Giant Buddha xx