The Best Places to See Pandas in China

Pandas, a unique animal in China, have a history of breeding for thousands of years. They are the national treasure of China as well as a gift to the world. Want to see pandas in China? This article will introduce the best places to see pandas for you.

Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center

Why Is the Panda in China Worth Visiting?

People love pandas so much. Why? Maybe it's because of their cute appearance - round bodies, fluffy white fur, and adorable black eyes. Or maybe it's because of their well-behaved character. Just watching them eat bamboo or lie on a tree will make you smile! Sichuan province in China, being the home of pandas, is the best place to see them. Covered by dense bamboo forests and nourished by abundant rainfall, Sichuan has become a natural habitat for pandas. Let's find out the best panda bases in Sichuan!

Where to See Pandas in China?

1. Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda

It is a world-renowned panda conservation base with over 200 pandas. Close to the downtown area of Chengdu, the base is easily accessible by public transportation. It takes about 20 minutes from the city center to the Panda Base by car. To make the panda-watching trip more comfortable, the panda base provides sightseeing buses for you.

Walking through the green forests, you can see some luxurious panda "villas". Among all the pandas living here, the most famous panda star is Hua Hua, an exceptionally docile and loving panda who has healed many hearts. Hua Hua is shorter than other pandas and looks like a big rice ball. Since the superstar is so adorable, queuing to see Hua Hua can take up to two hours. There are also adorable other pandas to see if you don't want to stand in line. You can see newborn baby pandas in some villas, as well as cute lesser pandas with brown fur. Panda Museum is another choice to learn about their habits and history. There is also a panda souvenir store in the base, which sells panda dolls, hair bows, etc.

Address: No. 1375, Panda Avenue, Chenghua District, Chengdu, China
Ticket Price: 55 RMB (7.52 $)
Time for visiting: 7:30-18:00

Cute Baby Pandas

2. Dujiangyan Panda Park

Located about 18 kilometers from the city center, it is an institution that focuses on the protection of pandas in the wild. It takes about 35 minutes from the city center to the Panda Base by taxi.

One of the specialties here is the volunteer activities. If you want to participate in volunteer activities, you need to book online in advance. Volunteers need to chop bamboo, cut bamboo leaves, make pandas' food. As a volunteer, you can watch pandas closely in the favorable natural environment with lush bamboo forests and soft slopes. The chubby pandas sit in groups or along, happily eating bamboo on the lawn. Some are frolicking with their companions and rolling on the ground. Some are lazily lying on the trunk of a tree without moving. It's very interesting to make food for the cute pandas!

During the summer vacation, there will be a large number of tourists visiting the panda park. If you want a less crowded experience, it's better to avoid July and August.

Address: Shiqiao Community, Qingchengshan Town, Dujiangyan City
Ticket Price: 53 RMB (7.25 $)
Time for visiting: 8:30-17:00

Lazy Panda

3. Dujiangyan Panda Valley

Dujiangyan Panda Valley is a panda park that relies on a valley. It is a natural valley with a superior atmosphere, usually takes about 1.5 hours by car from Chengdu city center. Here you can not only see the cute pandas but also relax in the luxuriant forest and fresh air.

Walking through the Panda Valley, you can see lush vegetation and meandering streams and discover pandas at their most adorable in their natural environment. You can see pandas in any unexpected places: in the grass, on the trunks...As the woods are dense, you need to look carefully to find the white and black figures, and that's kind of fun. At noon, the keepers will call the pandas to eat, when the chubby pandas run down the slopes in all directions.

The lesser pandas are the other big attraction in the valley. Trestles have been built according to the alignment, and you can see the lesser pandas as you walk along the trestle. It is best to visit in the morning because the lesser pandas are very active at this time. Some lesser pandas are not afraid of people, so they will come up to the table and look at you curiously.

Address: No. 408, Yutang Section, Huanshan Tourist Road, Dujiangyan City
Ticket Price: 55 RMB (7.52 $)
Time for visiting: 8:30-17:00

Lesser Panda

4. Ya'an Bifeng Gorge Panda Base

Located near the natural gorge, it takes about 40 minutes by taxi from Ya'an city center to the panda base. Ya'an Bifeng Gorge Panda Base has excellent scenery, fresh air, and abundant water resources. The panda base is extensive, so it's recommended to take a sightseeing bus to go around.

The number of pandas in Bifeng Gorge is very high. You can see pandas just by taking a few steps in the pavilions, on the stone benches, and between the trunks of the trees. The Bifeng Gorge is filled with bamboo forests, so you will most likely see them enjoying the delicious bamboo shoots. In such a natural, clean mountain forest, the pandas seem even more lively.

Besides the pandas, you can also see various wild animals, such as tigers and monkeys, in the gorge. Walking along the valley, you will see gurgling waterfalls and cascading rocks. It is very cool and comfortable, so many visitors come to spend their summer vacation there. Also, if you visit Bifeng Gorge in winter, you can see the snow-covered gorge and pandas playing in the snow.

Bifeng Gorge also offers a volunteer program. It includes experiences like cleaning the Panda House, making food, and clay DIY for parents and children. Volunteer activities also need to be booked online.

Address: Bifeng Gorge Tourist Area, Bifeng Township, Xiaoli Township, Yucheng District, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province, China
Ticket Price: 95 RMB (13 $)
Visiting time: 09:00-16:00

Cleaning Panda House

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5. Beijing Zoo

This is one of the oldest zoos in Beijing. It is located in the downtown area of Beijing with very convenient transportation and is often visited by a lot of visitors on weekends and holidays.

Ten cute pandas reside in the zoo, and one of the biggest attractions is panda star Menglan. Menglan is a very active male panda. You can see many videos of his exciting "performances" online, such as climbing up high into a tree to do the splits or hanging upside down from a branch. Menglan's abundant body movements are often greeted with cheers from visitors.

In addition, there is a panda cafe in Beijing Zoo that is well worth visiting. It offers a variety of exquisite desserts related to pandas. For example: Panda ice cream, Panda coffee, Panda cookies They will make you feel the cuteness of the panda again!

Address: No. 137 Xizhimenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
Visiting hours: April 1-October 31: 7:30-18:00
November 1-March 31: 7:30-17:00
Ticket Price: 19 RMB (2.60 $)

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6. Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park

The pandas that reside at the Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou live a life of "luxury". Here are the world's only panda triplets. The panda triples have their little train, and you can see the pandas sitting on top of the train, traveling slowly, which looks so cute and funny. They also have bamboo house villas crafted by their keepers. When the pandas have birthdays, they can enjoy cakes made of bamboo and fruit. On the one hand, these luxurious facilities are due to the keepers' love for pandas; on the other hand, they add more fun to visitors' trips.

During holidays, especially during summer vacation, Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park is very crowded with visitors. If you want to have a better experience, try to visit in November and December. In these two months of the year, there are fewer tourists and the weather is cooler, so the pandas will be more active.

Address: Changlong Wild Animal World, No. 299, Hanxi Avenue East, Panyu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China
Ticket Price: $300 (41 $)
Visiting hours: 09:30-18:00

Tips for Watching Pandas

Do not touch pandas, including lesser pandas, although they are very cute. They are susceptible to bacteria carried by people.

No loud noises. Pandas are sensitive to sound and prefer a quiet environment.

Don't use flash to take photos.

Please don't feed the panda with your food. Some foods are not suitable for pandas. They will be fed by staff.

It's not recommended to see pandas at noon because it is hot at this time and they are usually sleeping. Pandas prefer a cooler temperature, so they will be more active in the morning.

The cute appearance and well-behaved character of pandas have healed the hearts of countless people. Come to China with Odynovo and let pandas heal you too!