Foping Qinling People and Nature Education Center

　　The Foping Qinling People and Nature Education Center is situated within the compound of the Foping National Nature Reserve Management Bureau in the center of the county town. It was built with an investment of over 5 million yuan from the State Forestry Administration. Its mission is to “explore the mysteries of the Qinling Mountains, showcase their magical essence, appreciate their pristine charm, care for the Earth’s home, promote coexistence between humans and nature, and pursue sustainable development together.” The entire exhibition center has two floors. Within its 800-square-meter exhibit space, there are 12 display panels and one simulated habitat, showcasing more than 300 animal and plant specimens, along with over 500 photographs that represent the natural landscapes, biodiversity, as well as the construction and development of the reserve in the Qinling region.

　　The lifelike animal specimens and surreal landscape photos captivate visitors. In the simulated habitat, a colorful array of bird specimens each display unique postures: a golden pheasant standing on one leg, a blood pheasant seemingly foraging, a long-billed plover glancing backward, a Eurasian woodcock gazing downward with folded wings, a Chinese sparrowhawk poised for flight, and a Lady Amherst’s pheasant suddenly stopping in its tracks. Lifelike giant pandas, black bears, wild boars, porcupines, hog badgers, masked palm civets, leopard cats, forest musk deer, tufted deer, serows, blue sheep, jackals, and white-bellied rats appear completely at ease. Vividly colored golden snub-nosed monkeys climb the room’s pillars, while a golden eagle seems ready to take flight from the top of a column. Skeletons of takins and giant pandas reveal the evolutionary secrets of these ancient, large-bodied animals.

　　The audiovisual hall makes full use of high-tech elements such as sound, light, electricity, and mechanics to create a highly realistic natural environment with numerous dynamic scenes. This immersive experience offers visitors a strong sense of being right in the midst of nature, resulting in a highly effective exhibition.

　　Since its establishment, the education center has hosted over 50,000 visitors, including personnel from research institutions, university students and faculty, and people from all walks of society. Central, provincial, and municipal leaders who visited Foping all gave it extremely high praise. International friends and biology experts have spoken highly of it, calling it the “Number One Animal Specimen Exhibition Hall in Northwest China” and a “Museum of Natural Resources.” It has become a must-see highlight for all visitors to Foping.