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Qinling Zoological Park is the first park of its kind to be established in the northwest region in China. 28 kilometers (about 17 miles) south of the downtown area of Xian City, Shaanxi Province, this zoological park has more than 300 species of animal, with many different types of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

Strolling into the park, the first thing that catches your eyes is a group of wooden sculptures facing the gate. They have been made to resemble lifelike and dainty human beings, eagles, black bears, monkeys and other creatures, and tell different stories about 'man and animals' and 'man and nature'. And looking at these beautiful and unforgettable sculptures, you would hardly guess that they've been made from petrified wood. It is the wonderful skills of the gardeners that endow these deadwoods with life again.

The animals' exhibition area is divided into two parts: the walking area and car-riding area.

The walking area lies in the west part of the park. Here animals like giant pandas, golden monkeys, brightly colored parrots, groups of flamingoes, hippopotami, kangaroos and so on can be seen. In addition, there are sea lions, seals, and groups of the largest land mammal in the world - the Asian elephant. These beautiful animals make this part of the park a very popular one.

The car-riding area is split into two further parts: one is exhibiting herbivores, the other carnivores.

The area of the herbivore exhibition is the largest in all of China. Grass-eating animals indigenous to Africa like giraffes, zebras, gnus and hartebeests can be found in the eastern part. And 15 other kinds of animals are exhibited here for the first time in the history of Xian. In the western part of the exhibit, you can find grass-eating animals from Asia, such as the 'Ship in Desert'- the Bactrian camel, and the 'Ship in Altiplano'- the yak, and so on.

In the carnivore show area, you have the chance to see in person the tigers and cougars with the fearsome reputation of 'Kings of the Animals', and the hauntingly beautiful leopards that are considered champion of the short-distance race amongst all beasts. Here, the most fascinating and unforgettable thing is the ferocity of the tigers and the lions. When a tourist car is driven into this area with guests inside and food for the carnivores hanging outside, these beasts walk next to the car at first and then chase it. This means tourists and flesh-eating animals are beside each other with only a piece of glass separating them. Exciting, isn't it? And what's more, when the beasts jump and pounce on the food outside the car, the spectacle will take your breath away. Be reassured, though, you're definitely quite safe!

Qinling Zoological Park offers visitors a free and thoroughly natural environment to watch its animals. You can experience the intimacy that can exist between animals and people when meek creatures like peacocks and spotted deer come up to feed out of your hands. This new way of visiting animals is a wonderful experience for visitors. Here the animals you see are lively ones, living and playing in the open air instead of losing the brutalization and their nature by being caged.