Top 5 Places to See Giant Pandas in China

Chengdu, the hometown of Giant Panda, is definitely the best place to see giant pandas.  If you can't go to Chengdu, there are some zoos in other China cities where you can also see a panda. But if you want to hug a panda, going to Chengdu is almost the only choice. 

1. Chengdu Panda Base: Visitors-Friendly, Nearest to Chengdu

Chengdu Panda Base, fully named Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding, is only 6 miles away from downtown Chengdu, making it the best choice for travelers who want an excursion tour while on a layover in Chengdu. The place simulates the giant panda's wild living environment and houses lakes, streams, bamboo forests, and lawns. It can be cheerful to see tiny newborn pandas in the delivery room.

• Location: No. 1375 Xiongmao Avenue, the Outside Northern Third Rong Road, Chenghua District, Chengdu City
• Number of Pandas: about 50
• Popular activities: See baby and adult pandas
• The time needed: half a day
• One-stop tour with us: 1-Day Panda & Chengdu Highlights Tour

2. Dujiangyan Panda Base: Volunteers to Feed a Panda Face-to-Face

Dujiangyan Panda Base is a post-earthquake reconstruction project of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. It is the only research center in the country that is focused on rescuing and re-introducing giant pandas to the wild. Most giant pandas here are injured, old, sick, or disabled, but they are well-cared for. Visitors can join the Panda Volunteer Program and feed pandas face-to-face, learning how to take care of these adorable endangered creatures.

• Location: Shiqiao Village, Qingchengshan Town, Dujiangyan City
• Number of Pandas: about 20
• popular activities: Panda volunteer program and holding a panda
• The time needed: one full day
• suited for: people who want to see pandas in their natural and wild environments 
• One-stop tour with us: 1-Day Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Program

Note: Pandas give birth to babies in July and August, so there is a chance to see baby pandas when you visit Dujiangyan Giant Panda Base from August to December. In Dujiangyan Panda Base, visitors may also see some pandas that have had several years’ experience in other countries, such as a panda named Tiger who once lived in Washington DC.

3. Bifengxia Giant Panda Base: Stay with Pandas Longer

Bifengxia Giant Panda Base, located in Bifeng Gorge Scenic Area, is the largest panda base and is blessed with a broad and beautiful landscape, providing an ideal natural environment for giant pandas to live. Sometimes it is hard to see pandas here since they live in mountain and jungle areas.

A panda keeper program is also available in Bifengxia Panda Base. But the program is less busy and lasts longer, for maybe 2 days or more. People who want to do volunteer work need to arrive one day in advance to join a training program.

• Location: Shiqiao Village, Qingchengshan Town, Dujiangyan City
• Number of pandas: about 20
• Most popular activities: see cute baby pandas, pandas coming back from overseas, and pandas roaming in the natural environments. 
• One-stop tour with us: 1-Day Chengdu Bifengxia Valley Panda Visit

4. Wolong Giant Panda Center: Real Hometown of Wild Pandas

Wolong National Nature Reserve is considered to be the native habitat of wild pandas. A catastrophic earthquake largely devastated Wolong Giant Panda Center in 2008 and many injured pandas were moved to Bifengxia. The new panda base of Wolong was relocated to Gengda  Town and opened in 2016, where visitors can also be panda keepers. For years the center has made efforts to reintroduce pandas to the wild after captive breeding and preparation for the wild.

• Location: Wolong National Nature Reserve, Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province
• Number of pandas: about 30
• Popular activities: see pandas in their natural environments, panda keeper program 
• The time needed: at least two days
• Suited for: Giant Panda fans
• One-stop tour with us: 2-Day Panda Keeper Program at Wolong Nature Reserve

5. Beijing Zoo

Beijing Zoo was built in 1906. It is the biggest city zoo in China with a lot of rare creatures from all over the world. Penguin House and Panda House are the must-visit attractions and they are also the most popular houses there. Transportation to the zoo is very convenient.

• The time needed: 2-3 hours
• popular activities: See pandas only
• Suited for: Panda lovers who travelers who can't go to Chengdu

Summary of the Giant Panda Bases in Sichuan

Questions on Giant Panda Bases Frequently Asked by Our Customers

1) Where can I hold a panda and take a picture?

The Hugging Panda Program has been suspended since 2018 in ALL panda bases in Chengdu.

Don't be upset, there is an alternative way to get up close to pandas, you can join the Panda Keeper Program for feeding pandas, cleaning the panda cubs, and making cakes for pandas.

2) Can my child be a panda keeper?

Anyone who is between 10 to 70 years old and passes the physical examination can take part in the Panda Keeper Program.

3) Can I visit giant pandas at night?

If you stay in the Panda Home Inn inside the Wolong Panda Base, yes, you can pay a night's visit to the fluffy pandas under the guidance of a panda feeder and your tour guide. Don’t hesitate to contact us for an interesting panda base night tour!

4) Any tips on accommodation within the panda base?

• Dujiangyan: It is possible to visit Dujiangyan Panda Base from Chengdu in one day. No need to stay overnight.
• Wolong: If you want to visit pandas at night, stay in the Panda Home; if not, it is more affordable to stay in Immersing Hotel (Wenchuan Wolong Shoumoren).
• Bifengxia: There are many inns/hostels in Bifengxia Scenic Area. Bifeng Renjia Panda Hotel and Junhao Yixin Hotel are two panda-themed inns right next to Bifengxia Panda Base.

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