This amazingly well detailed 3-acre area opened in 2002 at a cost of $16 million, and it caters to visitors with its imposing pagodas and beautiful architecture. The walk-through temple is amazing, the beautiful Chinese symbols and designs are immersive and quite wonderful to see, and Memphis is one of only 4 American zoos that showcase Giant Pandas in their collection. White-Cheeked Gibbons and Asian Small-Clawed Otters share an exhibit that is really only great for the otters as there is a lack of both shade and climbing structure for the arboreal apes. Pere David’s Deer, Francois' Langurs and a variety of birds (Reeves’s Pheasant, Golden Pheasant, Lady Amherst Pheasant, Mandarin Duck, Smew, White-Naped Crane) are all quite pleasant to view. However, no matter how great it is to see the pair of Giant Pandas their particular exhibit is arguably the weakest section of the CHINA experience. The National Zoo in Washington D.C. has an amazing Asian section, with 3 massive panda enclosures with rocks, hills, valleys, a stream, a pool, misters and long grass and yet Memphis has a basic habitat that is tiny and bland. The lead-up to the pandas is outstanding from a visitor perspective, the surrounding animal exhibits are all mainly excellent, and yet the star attractions have basic yards that could hold a variety of animals.
