Chengdu's Captivating Charm

Who doesn’t love pandas? These gentle giants have charmed both the young and old for many years. Enter Chengdu's Giant Panda Breeding Research Base and any animal lover will be spellbound. This alluring sanctuary houses over a hundred giant pandas and around 76 red pandas. Have face-to-face encounters with these bamboo lovers and learn more about their habitat in this giant panda sanctuary located in the capital city of Sichuan province, China.

Why should you visit Chengdu's Giant Panda Breeding Research Base?

Think of China and the country’s emblem, the panda, inevitably comes to mind. These bamboo-eating giants are considered one of the endangered species in the world today. The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Chengdu was established to protect, preserve and build a better tomorrow for these national treasures. This sanctuary was instilled in 1987 after many pandas died due to starvation and illnesses during the 1980s. It is the biggest giant panda captive and scientific research base on Earth.  The setting created within this site is close to the panda’s natural habitat in the wilderness with ponds and streams dotting the area and rows of bamboo plants radiating natural beauty. You can have some firsthand encounters with these gentle giants as they engage in some playtime activities like rolling, walking or somersaulting. The place also houses bird verities, butterflies and insects.  The Giant Panda Museum, located within the same premises, will provide you with everything that you need to know about pandas. Learn about their living habits, favourite food, growth process, history and any other interesting tidbits from experts. The museum also has a collection of books written about giant pandas by writers across the globe. 

How to get there

The base is located around 18 km from the city centre. You can even come within the vicinity of this site in about 30 minutes from downtown. The location is accessible by bus and metro. You can take a taxi if you wish to travel more comfortably and in privacy. The place is open to the public from 7.30 am to 5 pm. 

Tips to plan your tour

Pandas typically mate between March and May. So if you would like to witness some newborns, go there during the late summer or autumn seasons. Morning visits are the best as the pandas are more active then and usually doze off in the afternoons. So booking accommodation at a place close to the location is a good idea as you have to make it there before 9 am to catch the action. Their feeding time is also around 9 am so it would be interesting to watch them munching on some bamboo shoots, stems and leaves. You can find plenty of serviced accommodation & hotels within walking distance of this site. You will be able to spend half of your day at this base with your family as full-day stays are not allowed. Serviced apartment providers like DiscoverASR offer various discounts when you book directly with them or become a member of their circle.  

Some interesting tidbits to keep in mind 

•    It is better to visit Chengdu's Giant Panda Breeding Research Base during the cooler months of the year as pandas are usually affected by the humidity and sleep a lot during hot weather. So plan your trip from April to November.  

•    Do not use the flash in your camera when you snap photos as this can startle the pandas. Such activities can cause harm, especially to baby pandas as their eyes are sensitive to flashlights. 

•    Refrain from addressing the pandas or each other in loud voices. Pandas seek solitude. Such actions disturb their natural behaviour.  

•    Another fun activity to engage in here is to send a postcard to your friends and family from the Panda Post Office.