Beijing Zoo

After lunch we headed to Beijing zoo to check out these rare chaps. I'd never seen a panda before, and found them to be remarkable animals to observe. They appear to be treated like royalty here. Not suprising really, when China 'leases' them out to foreign countries for a cool £1,000,000 per year.

Their five-start treatment seemed a stark contrast to the big cat hall, where some magnificent animals are being caged in squalid Alcatraz style prison cells. It was a bit unsettling to be honest, though we did find out that they are allowed outside for several hours a day. Hardly a consolation though when you have to sit on a cold concrete slab while gawping children 'growl' at you from the other side of the bars.

We realised we had seen enough and jumped in a cab and enjoyed the colourful surroundings of the Summer Palace for the rest of the afternoon.