After the terrible earthquake that struck China on May 12th 2008, tourism in the surrounding areas fell dramatically and some zoo's saw their income half.

It now looks like tourism is now back on the mends especially in Ya'an now home to the largest collection of captive Giant Pandas. Bifengxia (Green Peak Canyon) north of Ya'an received the largest number of pandas from Wolong when it was destroyed by the earthquake.

Since the restart of Ya'an tourism market in June 2008 the city has maintained a ten month consecutive growth. Figures show that Ya'an received 2.79 million tourists in the first four months of 2009, 35% higher than the same time in 2008 and earned 12 billion yuan, nearly 60% higher than 2008.

The city is also building other places of interest apart from the pandas including the Bifengxia scenic spots. (A really beautiful place with steps you can't believe you climbed when you get to the bottom) They are also building on their infamous tea culture. These features they hope will continue to bring in the tourists after the pandas leave in a few years time when the new research centre is built and opened.