Stations give 'paws' for thought

The distinctive red exterior of a nature station features hollowed-out leopard images and extruding lion shapes that pique one's curiosity. It distinctively contrasts against the vast green backdrop of Metog county of Nyingchi in the Xizang autonomous region.

Stepping inside, people are immediately drawn into a fascinating world of information about the large cats, including an artistically designed evolutionary tree showcasing the eight lineages of 40 species.

After seeing the big picture, visitors may find more details while exploring further into the space, ranging from illustrations about local species in the county to magnified pictures of big felines, such as leopards, Bengal tigers and snow leopards, as well as how their feces can be used to identify them and analyze their DNA.

"We have added many interactive devices, such as a rolling drum that allows visitors to piece together different felines and a button to hear feline howls," says Guo Yingqian from Chinese National Geography magazine, which constructed the nature station.