Chengdu Pandas: Research Base & Conservation

Introduction

Chengdu is the best place in the world to see giant pandas up close. This guide covers everything you need to know about visiting the pandas.

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

• Location: Northern Chengdu, about 15 km from city center.
• Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (summer), 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (winter).
• Cost: CNY 55 per person.
• Best Time: Morning (8:00-10:00 AM) when pandas are most active.

What to See

• Pandas: Watch pandas eating bamboo, playing, and sleeping.
• Red Pandas: Also known as lesser pandas, cute and colorful.
• Bamboo Garden: Various types of bamboo that pandas eat.
• Panda Museum: Learn about panda conservation.

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive Early: The base gets crowded after 10:00 AM.
• Bring Water: No water is available inside the base.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes: Lots of walking.
• Don’t Feed Pandas: Feeding is not allowed.

Panda Conservation

• Breeding Program: The base breeds pandas for reintroduction to the wild.
• Research: Scientific research on panda behavior and ecology.
• Adoption: You can adopt a panda symbolically.

Last Updated: July 2026