How to Visit Chengdu Panda Base: Best Tips & Must-See Highlights

The Chengdu Panda Base is a must-visit for any animal lover and is bound to be one of the most unique experiences you'll have in China. We highly recommend it to anyone visiting Chengdu. Also known as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, this fantastic site features giant pandas, rare red pandas, and adorable baby pandas that you can observe in their natural environment.

Pandas are having bamboo at the base

Plus, it's just 38 minutes away from Chengdu City by car, and you can take public transportation too. Believe us when we say that you'll walk away with a whole new appreciation for these gentle giants and that Chengdu Panda Base will be the highlight of your trip! This guide gives you a good overview of what to expect, key highlights of the Chengdu Panda Base, and helpful tips to make your visit the best.

Essential Information for Chengdu Panda Base

Baby Panda in Chengdu Panda Base

You can book a morning or afternoon slot to visit the Chengdu Panda Base. We recommend you go as early as possible, as the giant pandas are only active in the morning and most will sleep in the afternoon. Plan to spend about 3 to 3.5 hours touring the base. Adult tickets are $7.61, and students can get in for $3.74. The opening hours are as follows.

• November 1 to February 28: 8 am to 4:30 pm
• March 1 to October 31: 7:30 am to 5 pm

The Chengdu Panda Base is at 1375 Panda Avenue in the Changhua District. You can drive from Chengdu City or take Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue, then grab the shuttle bus that will take you directly to the base's South Gate. Shuttles operate between 6:45 am and 6:20 pm during the summer and 7:15 am and 5:50 pm during the winter.

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Must-See Highlights at Chengdu Panda Base

1. Up-Close with Giant Pandas

Meet the cute panda from close range

If you see one attraction, make it the giant pandas. You can get up close and personal with the over 200 giant pandas that live at Chengdu Panda Base and even meet celebrity pandas, including Hua Hua and Qi Yi! Villas 1 and 2 are the best viewing spots, where you'll spot these majestic creatures playing and snacking on bamboo. Every habitat is designed to reflect these pandas' wild home and has enough space for them to move around and enjoy themselves. Chengdu Panda Base is not a zoo; it's a research center with the animals' well-being top of mind, so you can rest assured that these animals are incredibly well-cared for and content.

2. Baby Pandas at Star Nursery

Baby pandas at the nursery

There are three nurseries at Chengdu Panda Base: Moonlight Nursery, Sun Giant Panda Nursery, and Star Nursery. Star Nursery is the best for seeing precious baby pandas, as it's a newer facility and offers a better viewing experience than the other two. Baby pandas are generally born between July and September. For conservation purposes, the Chengdu Panda Base doesn't show newborn baby pandas, but you can see pandas that are 3-4 months old and have just learned to crawl. You can also take pictures of the cubs, but remember to turn off your flash while doing so.

3. Red Panda Encounters

Heading towards Red Panda Activity Area

Red pandas are the charming and cute brownish-red residents of the Chengdu Panda Base, and you should certainly make time to visit them at the Red Panda Outdoor Activity Area and the Red Panda Nursery. Plus, the Red Panda Nursery is often less crowded than the giant panda areas, so you'll have more baby panda time to yourself. You'll also spot black swans and peacocks at the panda base.

4. Giant Panda Museum

The Giant Panda Museum is a family-friendly stop that combines entertainment and education and is excellent for kids. It features giant panda fossils, habitat recreations, and interactive exhibits focusing on conservation and the evolution of these gentle giants. Visitors can also learn how to help endangered animals like giant pandas.

5. Panda Tower – A Bird's-Eye View of the Base

The Bamboo Tower

Panda Tower, also known as Bamboo Tower, is an excellent way to get a bird's-eye view of the park. While the Chengdu Panda Base has plans to put in a sightseeing elevator, there's not one yet, and you'll have to climb plenty of stairs to get to the top. The tower is free for visitors, but you do need to book a ticket online in advance, and it is open between 9 am and 5 pm every day except Tuesday. The tower also closes in bad weather, so keep an eye on the skies before you visit.

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Recommended Visit Routes

Map of Chengdu Panda Base

When touring the Chengdu Panda Base, you have two recommended options. We're also happy to adjust and customize these routes to fit your preferences and walking ability.

Classic Route

• Enter and exit from the South Gate
• Best for first-time visitors
• Covers adult and sub-adult pandas, the Red Panda Nursery, and Moonlight Nursery

Scenic Route

• Enter at the West Gate; exit at the South Gate
• A more immersive experience than the classic route
• Start at West Gate, then visit Star Nursery, Bamboo Tower, No. 1 Giant Panda Villa, and Red Panda Nursery, then exit through the South Gate

Sightseeing Bus

The Chengdu Panda Base is quite large, and so the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus is an excellent idea. The bus ticket is not included in your general admission. You can purchase it for 30 CNY ($4.15), and it departs from the South and West Gates. Depending on where you depart from, your tour will encompass sights like the Sun Giant Panda Nursery House, Panda Tower, and Giant Panda Villa. We can help you determine which route is right for you.

Panda Loving Care Volunteer Program

Panda Loving Program: Tidy up panda's room

If you're looking for a more immersive experience that gives you an insider peek into giant panda care, the Panda Loving Care Volunteer Program is an excellent choice. While you won't be able to participate as a volunteer at Chengdu Panda Base, there are several locations right around Chengdu where you can really get to know these magnificent creatures. Three panda bases, Duijiangyan Panda Park, Bifengxia Panda Reserve, and Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve, all offer this program. We can help arrange this experience and put together a hassle-free, memorable trip with a private guide and car for your convenience.

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Pro Travel Tips

A panda bathing in sunlight

Here are some insider tips to help you make the most of your visit to Chengdu Panda Base. We can also help you with a customized itinerary and answer any questions about getting around the park.

• Visit Chengdu Panda Base early when the crowds are smaller and pandas are more active.
• Avoid the summer peak season when there are more people and the pandas are less likely to be outside.
• Wear comfortable shoes and breathable clothing, especially if you're planning on climbing Panda Tower.
• Bring a sunhat and sunscreen, as much of the base is open to the outdoors.
• Visit “Panda Street” inside the park, where you'll find restaurants, souvenir shops, and snacks. It's a great spot to take a break and grab a bite.
• After a morning with the pandas, we suggest you visit People's Park to unwind with a cup of tea.

Meet China's Most Treasured Animal

At the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, you can come face to face with China's most famous and beloved animals and learn all about the conservation efforts being made to protect and preserve them. At China Odyssey Tours, we can help make the most of this incredible experience with a personalized itinerary and tips for visiting. Visit our contact page and get in touch today.