A letter from the giant panda Xiang Xiang to friends in Japan

The Dujiangyan base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda has established scientific relationship with 16 zoos in 14 countries around the world. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Dear friends in Japan,

I am Xiang Xiang at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. I heard that Lu Sheng, the Party chief of my hometown Dujiangyan, led a delegation to Japan for friendly exchanges, as well as culture and tourism promotions not long ago. Although I was born in Tokyo, I have heard from my mother many stories about my hometown: Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project, Qingcheng Mountain, and our Panda Paradise. These places seem to have special magical powers on me that I can't help thinking about them day and night.

Many of you must have heard of Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project, for which my hometown is well-known for. It is said that 2,000 years ago, the vast Chengdu Plain suffered from the incessant summer flooding of Minjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, and was withered with drought in the winter. Li Bing, governor of Shu prefecture, decided to harness the Minjiang and started construction of the Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project around 256 BC. Thanks to the project, the Chengdu plain has been spared from flood and drought, winning the name of the "land of abundance."

The Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project was built around 256 BC and has kept the Chengdu plain free of flood and drought, making the plain a "land of abundance." [Photo provided to China Daily]

There are more legendary stories about Qingcheng Mountain. Bai Suzhen, a white snake that transformed into a woman, practiced magic arts here. Zhang Daoling, the founder of Taoism, established the religion on the mountain. My mother told me that there are four things that are the best at Qingcheng Mountain: the Qingcheng tribute tea, stewed chicken with ginkgo nuts, Qingcheng pickles, and Dongtian koumiss. But what attracts me most about the place is the scenery. How happy would it be to wake up in the quiet valley under the first rays of the morning sun!

Qingcheng Mountain is the birthplace of Taoism. [Photo provided to China Daily]

All good things must come to an end. Although I am reluctant to leave my friends in Japan, I will return to the Dujiangyan base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, which has established scientific relationship with 16 zoos in 14 countries, with a total of 33 giant pandas participating in the scientific programs.

I am really happy that the relationship between Tokyo and Dujiangyan is getting closer and closer! After returning to China, I hope you all come to visit me in Dujiangyan. I will show you the unique charm of Dujiangyan, an international tourism city.

Yours sincerely,

Xiang Xiang