Chengdu Panda Breeding Base
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a sanctuary for Giant Pandas in Chengdu, China. Home to 215 Giant Pandas, it has the largest captive panda population in the world! Which is why Chengdu is considered “the Panda capital of the world.”
Visitors can walk or take a Hop On/Hop Off Tram around the 165-acre park. Tour Guides are available in English. And they can watch adorable Panda Cubs sleeping in their cribs at the two Baby Panda Nurseries.
Chengdu Panda Breeding Base
Opening Hours: Nov-Feb: 8:00am-12:00pm & 12:00pm-4:30pm (close 5:30pm); Mar-Oct: 7:30am-12:00pm & 12:00pm-5:00pm (close 6:00pm)
Cost: CNY 55/Person
Location: 1375 Panda Road, Northern Suburb, Chengdu Sichuan
Phone #: +86 28-8351-0033
Giant Pandas are a Vulnerable Species
As unbelievable as it sounds, in the 1980s Giant Pandas were facing Extinction! In 1990 they were updated to Endangered.
To combat this, the Chinese government spends millions of dollars on Giant Panda conservation. They grow bamboo for pandas in the wild. They train villagers to call a special hotline if they see injured pandas. And they partner with conservation groups around the world.
Happily, by 2019 Giant Pandas were upgraded to Vulnerable. The goal of the Chengdu Panda Base is to breed pandas in captivity, and learn how to release them into the wild.
Want to learn more about pandas? Check out my Top 23 Amazing Panda Facts blog!
Every Panda in the World is the Property of the Chinese Government
Every panda in the world comes from bamboo forests high in the mountains of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces in south central China.
And every panda in Zoos around the world is on a 10-year loan from the Chinese government. The offspring of the pandas on loan are considered the property of the Chinese government, even if they are born on foreign soil.
Most Americans would be surprised to learn that only 3 zoos in the U.S. have Giant Pandas – The National Zoo in Washington D.C., the Zoo Atlanta, and the Memphis Zoo.
Giant Panda Breeding Centers in China
Due to habitat loss, there are less than 2,400 Giant Pandas in the world. In response, the Chinese government created over 40 Panda Reserves.
In addition, they built 4 Giant Panda Breeding Centers to breed the beautiful creatures in captivity. (I have been to two – Chengdu and Dujiangyan!) The ultimate goal is to release the pandas into the wild.
- Bifengxia Giant Panda Base
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center
- Dujiangyan Panda Base
- Wolong Panda Research Center
Panda Breeding at Chengdu Panda Base
Chengdu Giant Panda Base was founded in the 1980s when 6 sick and starving Giant Pandas were rescued in the wild. Through their offspring, the base has bred the largest population of captive Giant Pandas in the world.
By the end of 2020, the base had 215 Giant Panda residents. Not one was captured in the wild and they have good genetic quality, individual health, and behavioral health.
The best time to view the pandas – while they are playing, eating, and drinking – is in the morning. Afternoon is nap time.
Panda Cub Nurseries at Chengdu Panda Base
The highlight of the Chengdu Panda Base is the two Giant Panda Cub Nurseries – Sun and Moon.
Female Pandas gives birth to 2 cubs at a time. However, since Giant Pandas main food source is bamboo, they are nutrient deficient. Therefore, the mother panda cannot breastfeed both cubs. Sadly, in the wild panda mothers abandon their weaker cub.
At panda breeding centers in China, the staff continually swap out the panda cubs. While one cub is with the mother, the other cub is sleeping away in a panda nursery.
Research at Chengdu Panda Base
Chengdu Panda Base has made major strides in Giant Panda research. This includes the areas of feeding, reproduction and cub rearing, disease prevention and control, and genetic population management.
Base scientists have received 72 major scientific research awards, had over 400 papers published in well-known journals, and were granted over 30 national patents.
Panda Habitat at Chengdu Panda Base
The 165-acre sanctuary is located 6 miles north of Chengdu in the Futou Mountains.
Rivers, lakes, brooks, ornamental green lawns and greens, wild bamboo forests and, woods, man-made dens, rocks, caves and plant pits, simulates the panda’s natural ecological environment.
The landscape – combined with enrichment and climbing apparatuses – creates a natural and mentally healthy environment for the pandas.
Red Pandas at Chengdu Panda Base
Chengdu Panda Base is home to other endangered wildlife besides Giant Pandas. This includes Red Pandas, swans, peacocks, birds, butterflies and hundreds of insects.
Red Pandas are a small mammal with reddish brown fur, a black belly and legs, white-lined ears, a mostly white muzzle, and a ringed tail. Native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, Red Pandas are more closely related to raccoons then bears.
Visit Chengdu Giant Panda Base
Chengdu Panda Base is located in Chengdu City, 19 miles from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Check out the Bus Lines, Train Routes, and Driving Directions here. The base is open daily from 7:30am-6:00pm. The cost is RMB 55, which is only $8.
Guest Services include guided tours, battery operated cars, restaurants, souvenir shops, and a first-aid clinic. The Panda Post Office sells postcards and Giant Panda commemorative stamps.
Chengdu Panda Base is so large it is easy to get lost. All of the signs are in Chinese. Therefore, I highly recommend hiring an English speaking tour guide, which are located at the entrance. For more information call 028-83516748.
Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center is open daily from 7:30am-6:00pm. It is located at 1375 Panda Rd, Northern Suburb, Chenghua District, Chengdu City.
Hop On/Hop Off Tram at the Chengdu Panda Base
Chengdu Panda Base covers 165 acres, which is about 1 mile. It takes 3 hours to walk. There is a Hop On/Hop Off Tram that covers the entire base in 1-2 hours.
The tram has 6 Stops: 1) Entrance 2) Giant Panda Sunning Nursery Room 3) No.2 Giant Panda Villa 4) Red Panda Nursery Room 5) Giant Panda Moon Nursery Room 6) Kitchen in No.1 Giant Panda Villa.
The Chengdu Panda Base Hop On/Hop Off Tram is available daily from 8:00am-5;00pm. The cost is RMB 10.00/ $1.50. For more information call 13438872059.
Chengdu Panda Base Itinerary – If you have 1.5 hours
(1) Main Entrance → (14) (15) Swan Lake (Rose Garden)→ (13) Sub-adult Panda Enclosure→ (12) Adult Giant Panda Enclosure→(11) Giant Panda Cub Enclosure→ (10) Sunshine Nursery House for Giant Panda →(9) No.2 Red Panda Playground→(21) Red Panda Nursery House→(8) No. 1 Red Panda Playground →(7) Giant Panda Cinema →(6) No. 14 Enclosure→(5) Panda Scientific Discovery Center→(3) Giant Panda Museum → (1) Main Entrance
Chengdu Panda Base Itinerary – If you have 3 hours
(1) Main Entrance → (14) (15) Swan Lake (Rose Garden) (12) Sub-adult Panda Enclosure → (11) Giant Panda Cub Enclosure → (10) Sunshine Nursery House for Giant Panda ( 20) No.2 Enclosure for Giant Panda→ (19) Moonlight Nursery House for Giant Panda (18) No.1 Enclosure for Giant Panda → (17) Giant Panda Kitchen → (16) Panda Hospital → (5) Panda Scientific Discovery Center → (3) Giant Panda Museum → (1) Main Entrance
Giant Panda Museum
Chengdu Panda Base is home to the Giant Panda Museum, which is the only museum in the world solely focused on Giant Pandas. It features a 3D Cinema and a Time Tunnel that transports visitors back 8 million years ago to view the Giant Panda habitat.
The Giant Panda Museum is open from Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00am-5:00pm. For more information, call +86-28-83510033.
Giant Panda Museum Exhibits
1) Tracing Origins – Evolution of the Giant Panda and prehistoric range.
2) Among the Pandas – Giant Panda digestive system and foraging strategies.
3) Discovery Trail – Giant Pandas Chi Chi and Su Lin, the Wuyi Camp Research Hut Restoration, Leaders in Giant Panda conservation, field surveys, and equipment displays.
4) Human Impact – Giant Panda wild habitat, umbrella species, flagship species, and rare protected animals in China.
5) Helping Hands – Immersive restoration of wild habitat scenes, Giant Panda field surveys, Giant Panda National Park, Giant Panda reintroduction into the wild.
6) Taking Actions – Construction of a beautiful eco-home.
7) Join the Future – Environmental protection, Promotion of harmony between man and nature.
Chengdu Giant Panda Souvenir Shops
There are Giant Panda Souvenir Shops at the Entrance, Museum Lobby, and Sunning Nursery Room. And there is a Panda Bookstore in the Sunning Nursery.
They sell every panda themed item you could ever possibly imagine, including stuffed pandas, apparel, cell phone cases, and key chains.
Bamboo Restaurant
Located on the southeast tip of Swan Lake, Bamboo Restaurant specializes in bamboo-based delicacies. It features 7 private dining rooms, a teahouse, and rooms to play chess and card games.
To make a reservation at Bamboo Restaurant call 13518114213, 15982212581, or 13688375735.
Rose Garden Western Food Restaurant
Located on the east bank of Swan Lake, Rose Garden Restaurant specializes in coffee, drinks, and steak. Indoor and outdoor tables offer beautiful views and feature flowers in all 4 seasons.
Panda Time Cafe
Located next to the Giant Panda Cinema, Panda Time Cafe specializes in coffee, drinks and pastries. It features indoor/outdoor dining and beautiful scenery.
Panda Restaurant
Located beside the beautiful Swan Lake, Panda Restaurant specializes in Spaghetti Bolognese, Taiwanese braised pork, and coffee. It is surrounded by trees and tranquility.
Giant Panda Magazine
The Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center publishes a quarterly magazine called Giant Panda.
The magazine is not available in the U.S. But it is available at hundreds of hotels in Sichuan Province and in Sichuan Airlines passenger lounges. There is also a WeChat account called Panda Institute.
Where to Stay in Chengdu
To get the most out of your visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, it’s best to stay somewhere with easy metro or taxi access, especially since pandas are most active early in the day.
Here are some great places to stay across different budgets, all with easy access to the pandas.
Budget Accommodation – Chengdu Flipflop Hostel
Chengdu Flipflop Hostel is one of the best backpacker-friendly options in town. It’s just steps from the Taikoo Li shopping district and a metro station, with clean dorms, private rooms, and a vibrant rooftop garden bar. Free dumpling-making nights, English-speaking staff, and tour booking services (including panda tours!) make it a favorite among international travelers.
➡️Click here to book your stay at Chengdu Flipflop Hostel!
Mid-Range Accommodation – Wenjun Courtyard Hotel
Nestled near Tianfu Square and Cultural Park, Wenjun Courtyard Hotel offers a peaceful, traditional stay in a courtyard-style building. Rooms are spacious and elegant, the staff speaks English, and they can arrange panda tours and Sichuan opera experiences. The metro station is just steps away.
➡️Click here to book your stay at Wenjun Courtyard Hotel!
Luxury Accommodation – Crowne Plaza Chengdu City Center by IHG
If you’re after high-end comfort right in the city center, Crowne Plaza Chengdu delivers with 5-star service. This polished hotel includes a full fitness center, indoor pool, spacious modern rooms, and an international breakfast spread. It’s close to top dining and shopping areas, and about 30–40 minutes to the panda base by taxi.
➡️Click here to book your stay at Crowne Plaza Chengdu!
Follow Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center on Social Media
Website: https://www.panda.org.cn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chengdu-Research-Base-of-Giant-Panda-Breeding/140659269293237
$ Donate: https://www.panda.org.cn/en/support/support/
