Chengdu is so wild!

Looking around the world, Chengdu is a city with unique charm.

It is a megacity with a permanent population of more than 20 million. The high-rise buildings rising from the ground and the brightly lit streets demonstrate its vitality as a prosperous city.

Chengdu Wenshufang and the towering skyscrapers | Photographer @何世海

Boiling hot pot, lively teahouses...it is filled with the bustling atmosphere of a bustling city.

The above is only one side of Chengdu's charm. Its other side is hidden in the mountains in the west.

In the early morning, when the whole city begins to wake up and people start to get busy in the new day, the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey family also begins their morning activities: grooming each other.

Sichuan Golden Monkey | Photographed at the Golden Monkey Science Education Base in Mianyang, Sichuan, for illustration only, photographer @陈先林

Deep in the dense forest, the giant panda strolls leisurely. Its chubby face is just its cute appearance. As a large mammal, it can easily dominate the jungle.

Giant Panda | Photographed at the Chengdu Dujiangyan Giant Panda Park, photographer @Semiminima eDuet

The lush forests and the growth of all things bring out the vitality and vigor of Chengdu. There are more than 3,000 species of higher wild plants and more than 700 species of wild vertebrates living here. It is a bustling city of life.

01

Live in the city

On the Chengdu Plain, tall buildings are rising from the ground. Compared with these man-made buildings that are hundreds of meters high, living beings have even taller "skyscrapers".

In the west of Chengdu, the surface of the earth has been severely distorted by the orogenic movement over tens of millions of years. Many mountain ranges such as Longmen Mountain and Qionglai Mountain have sprung up, with an average altitude of more than 4,000 meters.

It is connected to the Qinling-Daba Mountains in the north, the Hengduan Mountains in the south, and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the west. The long and sparsely populated mountains have created a natural space for the survival and interaction of organisms.

Chengdu topography diagram | Map by @Wu Xintian/Planet Research Institute

To the east is the flat Chengdu Plain. From the highest point downwards, the terrain falls in steps. Within a straight-line distance of less than 80 kilometers, the altitude of Chengdu drops sharply from a maximum of 5,364 meters to 359 meters, with a height difference of more than 5,000 meters.

Due to the huge height difference, you can experience all four seasons in one mountain. From the foot of the mountain upwards, broad-leaved forests and coniferous forests gradually replace each other.

Dense vegetation in Tiantai Mountain, Qionglai Mountains | Photographer @书是波

As the altitude continues to climb, tall trees are replaced by low bushes, and higher up, meadows that grow close to the ground appear.

At an altitude of more than 4,000 meters, there are gravel beaches and snow-capped peaks. Even in such a harsh environment, there is still a glimmer of hope.

Alpine Rhododendron | Photographed in Xiling Snow Mountain, Dayi County, Chengdu, photographer @肖映雪

In addition, the steeply rising mountains act like a screen, trapping water vapor from the Pacific and Indian Oceans in front of the mountains. The water vapor climbs along the mountain and turns into rain. The precipitation on the hillside is as high as 2000mm, and it rains on nearly 2/3 of the days in a year.

The unusually abundant rainfall has earned the towering mountains the name "Huaxi Rain Screen", and the dense water vapor has made the mountains shrouded in clouds and mist.

Xiling Snow Mountain Sea of ​​Clouds | Photographer @Zou Tao

When the clouds and mists disperse, a lush green landscape appears before our eyes. The abundant rainfall allows plants to drink a lot.

Rainwater slides down the leaves, flows into the hillside, turns into waterfalls, merges into streams, and merges into rivers. Over a long period of geological time, the river water has become a carving knife, carving out several deep valleys.

Due to the closure of the small hydropower station, the Xiaofeishui Waterfall, which had disappeared for many years, reappeared on the cliff | Photographed in Dayi County, Chengdu, photographer @邹涛

The mountains and deep valleys are like a secluded paradise for the vegetation growing there, where they can evolve independently and form unique species.

Primula minor, a species endemic to Sichuan | Photographed in Dayi County, Chengdu, photographer @邹涛

The mountains and valleys are also like the ark of life, allowing creatures to escape the cold ice age that wiped out species and become relic species, such as Davidia involucrata and Fructus sylvestris. They have traveled through the long geological time and brought us purity and fragrance.

Lianxiang tree, a relict plant of the Tertiary period | Photographed in the Heishui River Nature Reserve in Chengdu, photographer @邹涛

Here, more than 3,000 species of higher wild plants gather together, accounting for 1/10 of the country. The diverse plants provide food for animals with different feeding habits, and many creatures call this place home. The area where this mountain is located is one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world.

Laojun Pavilion in Qingcheng Mountain | Photographer @He Yi

The tall and dense forests are home to the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys and Tibetan macaques. Their "qinggong" skills allow them to move easily between the mountains and forests.

Tibetan macaque | Photographed in Xiling Snow Mountain, Dayi County, Chengdu, photographer @肖映雪

The picky giant pandas have taken a fancy to the bamboo forest. Here, they are not alone, as there are also red pandas who like to chew bamboo. However, the red pandas who like sunshine do not often meet the giant pandas who like the cool and humid weather.

Red panda | Photographed at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, photographer @Yu Shuhan

In addition to forests, lush grasslands support creatures such as the Sichuan takin.

Sichuan takin | Photographed in Chengdu Anzi River Nature Reserve, image source: Chengdu Park Urban Construction Management Bureau

Unlike large mammals, some birds, such as the green-tailed pheasant, can quickly fill their stomachs by pecking at the ground.

Green-tailed pheasant | Photographed in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, for illustration only, photographer @邹涛

In addition to these indigenous people, there are also many sojourners. In winter, the high mountains block the cold wind, and the warm climate of the Chengdu Plain allows many migratory birds to overwinter here.

The Chengdu Plain prepared rich gifts for these guests from afar. The plain is dotted with rivers, lakes, ditches, and ponds, with lush aquatic plants and plump fish and shrimps.

Chengdu Water System | Map by @Wu Xintian/Planet Research Institute

The blue-headed duck is swimming in the lake, and there are many other companions spending the winter with it in Chengdu.

Baer's Pochard and Cotton Tear | Photographed in Chengdu Beihu Wetland and Yushi Wetland respectively, photographer @邹涛

Some birds are just passing by. Longquan Mountain in the east of Chengdu is a "green island" on the migratory route of migratory birds. During the migratory season, eagles, hawks and other birds of prey will stop here to rest and prepare for their journey to distant places.

Birds of prey passing through Longquan Mountain (sparrowhawk, black eagle) | Photographer @何亚宁&邹涛

From mountains and forests to wilderness, Chengdu has more than 700 species of wild vertebrates, including more than 100 mammals, accounting for 1/6 of the country's total, and more than 500 bird species, accounting for 1/3 of the country's total.

However, this bustling "secret land of living creatures" is still a prosperous city. Although the living creatures have escaped several natural disasters that have wiped out species, the strong invasion of humans has brought them unprecedented challenges.

02

Protecting the living

In the 1970s, Chengdu's forest coverage rate dropped sharply to about 10%. The shrinking and fragmented habitats put animals in a crisis of extinction due to food shortages and inbreeding. In 1988, there were only 39 wild giant pandas in Chengdu, and the situation of other animals was not optimistic either.

The ecological damage caused by crazy deforestation has also endangered humanity itself. The frequency of floods in Chengdu has increased, and in the early 1980s, a major flood rarely seen in history occurred.

Nature has finally sounded the alarm, and rescue is imminent!

Zhongba Forest in Pengzhou City, Chengdu. The lush forest is an animal habitat and a water conservation area . Photographer @吴科

In 1988, giant pandas, Sichuan golden monkeys and other animals were listed as key national protected wild animals.

In order to protect the wild animals and their habitats in the western mountainous areas where these wild animals are active, Chengdu has established the Longxi-Hongkou, Heishui River, Anzi River, Baishui River and other nature reserves.

In 2021, a Giant Panda National Park with a total area of ​​about 27,000 square kilometers, spanning the three provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu, was established, and 1,459 square kilometers of forest in western Chengdu were included.

A mother and baby giant panda in Chengdu Anzihe Nature Reserve | Image source: Chengdu Park Urban Construction Management Bureau

Unified planning and management of national parks can connect fragmented animal habitats.

First, within the national park, we need to restore vegetation along wildlife migration corridors. Second, we need to build infrastructure such as railways and roads to create corridors for wildlife migration.

Main types of ecological corridors | Map by Li Xueqian/Planet Research Institute

Finally, move out the residents living inside and truly return nature to all living things .

In addition to national parks and nature reserves, there are also forest parks, scenic spots and geological parks to provide auxiliary services.

Baopingkou, Dujiangyan | Photographer @Yuan Bo

Within the nature conservation system established in Chengdu, not only giant pandas, but also numerous wild animals, such as Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys, red pandas and key wild plants will be protected, bringing renewed vitality to the bustling city.

However, survival in the wild always presents many challenges, and the protection of these endangered creatures requires more human participation.

At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a baby giant panda is opening its mouth. It is so young that its fur is not very thick yet, and the incubator provides it with enough warmth.

Giant panda baby | Photographed at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, photographer @周孟棋

In the coming time, it will grow up in the breeding research base, where there are big sisters who are responsible for taking care of it, as well as many little friends.

Giant panda cubs and caretakers | Photographed at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, photographer @周孟棋

It is not all carefree here. In the process of growing up, it also needs to learn many skills, such as finding bamboo to chew and climbing trees quickly...

These skills are designed to enable it to return to nature one day and become the protagonist of the jungle.

Giant panda climbing a tree | Photographed at the Chengdu Dujiangyan Chinese Giant Panda Park, photographer @Semiminima eDuet

In 1987, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding was established, based on the initial rescue of six sick and hungry giant pandas. Now the number of giant pandas has reached 237, making it the world's largest captive artificial breeding base for giant pandas.

Through breeding and reintroduction, the wild panda population has increased. So far, the number of wild pandas in Chengdu has recovered to 73. In 2016, the World Conservation Union downgraded the giant panda from endangered to vulnerable, which is a miracle of protecting life.

Behind this miracle, there are many people who silently contribute. They are the "mountain keepers" who patrol the dangerous mountains and forests regardless of the cold or heat. Through field investigation and monitoring, they are at the forefront of wildlife protection.

Please watch horizontally, the mountains of Chengdu Heishui River Nature Reserve | Photographer @Zou Tao

However, there are many hidden corners in the vast forests that "mountain keepers" cannot reach. There, infrared cameras are like a pair of "eyes" watching the animals' every move. If they are injured or sick, they can be discovered in time.

Blue sheep photographed by an infrared camera in Chengdu Anzihe Nature Reserve | Image source: Chengdu Park Urban Construction Management Bureau

Chengdu Zoo houses the Sichuan Province Wildlife Rescue Center. In recent years, it has rescued a total of 1,619 wild animals.

In Chengdu, we protect all living things, regardless of size or rank. For some extremely small wild plant populations, such as the round-leaved angel flower, in addition to zoned protection, the Chengdu Botanical Garden will also collect seed sources and carry out artificial breeding.

Round-leaved Magnolia, also known as "round-leaved Magnolia", has 58 naturally distributed plants in Chengdu | Photographed in Dayi County, Chengdu, photographer @邹涛

We can designate areas for protection of wild animals and plants in the western mountainous areas and try not to disturb them. There are also many creatures living in the "steel forest" of the city.

Especially Chengdu, a prosperous city with a population of over 20 million, how can it coexist with all living things?

03

Sharing Weal and Woe

Looking up at the urban area of ​​Chengdu, there are endless high-rise buildings. For wild animals and plants, survival is a challenge everywhere.

Chengdu Plain viewed from the plane | Photographer @Wangyan

Therefore, the key to the coexistence of cities and living things is to keep nature in the city .

A water park is very eye-catching beside the Jinjiang River in Chengdu. The water from the Jinjiang River flows down from a series of pools, and is filtered and purified by the wetland system including sedimentation and aquatic plants, turning from "turbid" to "clean".

This wetland park, built in 1998, is just one part of Chengdu’s river management project.

Overlooking Chengdu Living Water Park | Photographer @蒋小翼

As the mother river of Chengdu, Jinjiang River was once famous for its "black and smelly water". Since 1993, Chengdu has implemented a series of renovation projects on Jinjiang River: closing and relocating the small factories densely distributed on both sides of the river, rebuilding and designing sewage pipes, and purifying sewage...

Water is the soul and blood of the city of Chengdu. Today, Chengdu has rivers, lakes, ponds and other large and small wetlands covering an area of ​​nearly 400,000 acres.

The excellent wetland environment has brought new friends to Chengdu. In 2023, 51 new bird species were recorded in Chengdu. Last winter, nearly 90,000 water birds "overwintered" in the Chengdu Plain, where the bustling city and the bird paradise coexist.

Xinglong Lake, Tianfu New District, Chengdu | Photographer @唐寅

In addition to river management, Chengdu is also gradually restoring its greenery. As of now, its vegetation coverage rate exceeds 40%. From natural ecological parks, rural suburban parks to urban parks, greenery is spreading throughout the city.

Distribution of major parks in Chengdu's central urban area | Map by @Wu Xintian/Planet Research Institute

These greens also fill some tiny corners of the city, by the river, under the bridge, on the roof, on the street... the lush plants make the city full of vitality.

Chengdu Second Ring Road Viaduct | Photographer @刘陈平

When the city is green, people will have many chances to encounter animals. Some animals are cute or adorable, but some of them may also make you feel scared.

It is more important to keep nature in the city and teach humans how to get along with nature. The first step to get along with nature is to get close to nature .

In Chengdu, a 16,930-kilometer greenway connects the green spaces scattered across the city. In your spare time, you can go for a green ride.

Circling interchange and winding greenway | Photographer @张翔升

Or you can cross Longquan Mountain, feel the breath of the entire forest in this huge forest park, and listen to a symphony of "hundreds of birds singing".

Chengdu Longquanshan Forest Park Danjing Mountain Shizibao Observation Deck | Photographer @吴科

The second step to living with nature is to understand nature .

Since the 1990s, the first week of April every year has been Chengdu's "Bird-Loving Week". During this week and in the coming months, bird science lectures, international bird watching competitions, wild bird rescue and release and other activities enrich citizens' natural experience.

Pedestrians on the Jinjiang Greenway in Chengdu and herons in the water | Photographer @Zou Tao

In addition, Chengdu has launched a science education and public scientist training program for young people. Through lectures, field practice and other activities, children can truly understand nature.

When children see the "superpowers" that nature has endowed animals with, and see the wisdom of animals, respecting and protecting living things may become an innate habit. Perhaps not only children, but you and me, every one of us should have this habit.

Chengdu is not only home to more than 20 million people, but also home to more than 3,000 species of higher wild plants and more than 700 species of wild vertebrates. Here, the bustling city and the cold snow-capped mountains complement each other. It is a park city under the snow-capped mountains.

Chengdu and Yaomei Peak | Photographer @Gongqiang

Every day, while we work hard to live in buildings, on the mountains above 4,000 meters above sea level, many creatures are also trying to survive with their tenacity, forbearance and determination.

On a hillside covered with ice, snow and rocks, a snow leopard is looking into the distance, searching for prey. Even though it is starving, it does not dare to show any sign of fatigue.

On the top of the snow-capped mountain, a vulture circled for a long time, enduring the severe cold and strong wind, waiting for the right opportunity to fly over this natural barrier.

Alpine griffon vulture | Photographed in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, for illustration only, photographer @邹涛

We share the mountains and rivers with these creatures, respect their dignity as independent individuals, understand their way of life, and protect their living space.

Protecting living beings is also protecting ourselves.

Please watch horizontally, Xiling Snow Mountain above the sea of ​​clouds | Photographed in Dayi County, Chengdu, photographer @邹涛

- This article was created by the team -

Written by | Qingliu

Photo | Xu Ying

Map | Wu Xintian

Design | Li Xueqian

Proofread by Lin Xuanwen, Jingzi, Song Nan

Cover Photographer | Greatwj

Special cooperation unit of this article: Chengdu Park City Construction Management Bureau

【References】

[1] Chengdu Local Chronicles Compilation Committee, Chengdu Local Chronicles[M]. Chengdu Times Publishing House. August 2009.

[2] Chengdu Local Chronicles Compilation Committee, Chengdu Chronicles·Geographical Chronicles[M]. Chengdu Publishing House, 1993.10.

[3] Chengdu Local Chronicles Compilation Committee, Chengdu Chronicles·Garden Chronicles[M]. Sichuan People's Publishing House, 1998.10.

[4] Chengdu Local Chronicles Compilation Committee, Chengdu Chronicles·Forestry Chronicles[M]. Local Chronicles Publishing House. 1997.12.

[5] Dujiangyan Municipal People’s Government, Biodiversity Working Group of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, Dujiangyan Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan[M]. Chengdu: Southwest Jiaotong University Press, 2003.11.

[6] Hua Shi. Visiting the zoo is a serious matter[M]. Beijing: The Commercial Press, 2020.

[7] Li Yuqiang, et al. Design method of terrestrial wildlife corridors[J]. Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2013, 35(06): 137-143.

[8] Wan Min, et al. Allowing animals to move freely: Design of biological passages in Banff National Park, Canada [J]. Chinese Garden, 2005, 21(11):5.

[9] 2022 Chengdu Biodiversity (Wildlife and Plants) Protection Effectiveness Evaluation Report[R]. 2022.11.

[10] Chengdu Biodiversity (Wildlife) Conservation Action Plan (2022-2025)[R]. 2022.11.