Just 10 km from downtown Chengdu, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is your front-row ticket to observing China’s adorable “national treasures.” As one of the last strongholds for these rare bears—found only in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu—the base recreates their natural habitat with bamboo forests, tranquil ponds, and misty hills. Snap photos of playful cubs, learn about groundbreaking conservation work, and wander a lush sanctuary often called a “paradise for wildlife.” A must-visit for animal lovers and families, it’s where cuteness meets conservation!
Chengdu Panda Base Facts
- Name: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Address: 1375 Panda Avenue, Chenghua District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
- Established: 1987
- Area: 3.07 square kilometers
- Giant panda population: 260
- Opening Hours: 07:30 ~ 18:00
- Ticket Price: CNY 55. Trip.com Discount.
- Best Time: All year round, especially before 09:00 of a day
- Time Needed: half day
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, founded in 1987 with just six rescued pandas, has evolved into the world’s largest captive breeding and research center. Today it shelters 260 giant pandas within its expanded nearly 600 acre facility, completed in January 2022. Its UN-recognized habitat mimics the wild, with 96% bamboo coverage, open-air enclosures, and themed zones like “Adventure Valley” and “Infinite Hillock”. Visitors can watch pandas climb, play, and feast in near-natural surroundings.
The expansion introduced significant new features including immersive educational exhibits, a striking 69.8-meter observation tower, and upgraded scientific facilities to support panda rewilding initiatives.
Beyond its famous black-and-white residents, the base also successfully breeds red pandas, black-necked cranes, and over 20 other rare species. This extraordinary achievement highlights China’s global leadership in wildlife conservation and habitat preservation.
What to See at Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base
Giant Pandas
Chengdu Panda Base offers unforgettable encounters with these rare black-and-white bears. In the Villa Area, You can closely observe the giant pandas of different ages resting, eating and drinking, playing with each other, using enrichment toys. Watch iPanda Live Here.
The most attraction is Hua Hua in Villa 6. For the best chance to see her active, arrive early when she is energetically feeding or playing. The Nursery also provides heartwarming glimpses of mother pandas tenderly caring for their cubs.
Baby Pandas
From July to September, the visitors can see new-born pandas or panda babies at the Sunshine and Moonlight Nursery Houses. Dozens of pink, palm-sized newborns line up like living teddy bears, while 3-4 month-old cubs steal hearts as they practice clumsy somersaults or nap in furry heaps. Daily “Newborn Meet & Greet” sessions (2-4pm) offer unforgettable encounters with these wobbly babies during peak panda season.
Red Pandas
Red pandas are among the world’s cutest animals. They live in a pleasant open enclosure where visitors can watch them play and climb. Agile and full of energy, red pandas bring joy to all who visit.
The Giant Panda Museum
The Giant Panda Museum (originally opened in 1993, relocated and redesigned in 2021) stands as the world’s only museum dedicated to endangered species conservation. Its modern 3-theme exhibition halls showcase over 2,140 specimens – including pandas, vertebrates and butterflies – alongside 800+ educational materials and 10,000+ archived samples. Designed around the harmony between humans, pandas and nature, the museum employs interactive displays, immersive environments and ecological dioramas to engage visitors. Beyond displaying Sichuan’s biodiversity through fossils, models and live records, it serves as an international hub for scientific research, public education and conservation awareness. This state-of-the-art facility uniquely combines entertainment with enlightenment, inspiring environmental stewardship through hands-on learning experiences about wildlife protection challenges.
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Closed on Monday
- Museum ticket reservation: Visitors to the Panda Base can make a reservation on the “Chengdu Giant Panda Museum” WeChat official account. After a successful reservation, there is no need to pick up the ticket. You can enter the Chengdu Giant Panda Museum for free with a valid ID and QR code.
Panda Scientific Discovery Center
This 1,000m² interactive exhibition reveals the scientific wonders of giant pandas through six engaging themes: from breeding research to wildlife conservation. Featuring 40 touchscreens and cutting-edge multimedia displays, visitors can explore panda genetics, nutrition, and behavior at their fingertips. Designed for curiosity-driven learning, it blends knowledge with fun through hands-on activities, making complex research accessible to all ages. The center showcases Chengdu’s groundbreaking panda studies while fulfilling visitors’ “discovery” desires with its perfect mix of education and entertainment.
The Panda Tower
The Panda Tower stands 69.8 meters tall with nine floors. Its design resembles a bamboo shoot after rain, and the interior spaces of each level are guided by the motif of hibiscus flowers.
As a new landmark and popular check-in spot in Chengdu, the Panda Tower offers a panoramic view of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, serving as the city’s new vantage point.
It faces the “339 Tower” directly and mirrors the Twin Towers in the Financial District from north to south, creating a harmonious and complementary skyline—symbolized by the phrase, “The Twin Towers dominate the south, while the Panda Tower crowns the north.”
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Closed on Tuesday
- Admission is free but requires prior online reservation.
Best Time to See Giant Pandas
The best time to see active and playful giant pandas is in spring or autumn, when temperatures stay between 10°C and 20°C. Giant pandas prefer cool and shady environments, making these seasons ideal for outdoor activities.
Morning visits are highly recommended. Pandas are most active between 7:30 am and 9:30 am, especially during feeding time. This is when they enjoy eating, playing, and exploring their enclosures.
After feeding time, pandas often take naps or relax. If you visit later in the day, they might be sleeping or less active. Try not to miss the early morning hours for the best experience.
If visiting in summer, check indoor enclosures and delivery houses. Pandas may stay inside to keep cool when temperatures rise above 26°C. The panda base is open daily from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.
How to Visit Chengdu Panda Base
By metro
- Take Line 3 of the metro to “Panda Avenue Station (Exit A)” → Transfer to Shuttle Bus 408 directly to the South Gate.
- Take Line 3 to “Zoo Station” → Transfer to Bus 655 or 87 to the South Gate.
- Take Metro Line 3 to “Military General Hospital Station (Exit B)” → Walk 280m to bus stop → Transfer to Shuttle Bus 409 (10-min ride) directly to West Gate.
- Same metro exit → Take Bus 110 or 659 to West Gate.
By Bus
- Take bus 87 or 655 and get off at the research base, then walk eastward to the south gate of the base.
- Take bus 198, 661A or G6 and get off at Yilitang station. Walk westward for 100 meters (109 yards), then turn right and walk northeastward along the Panda Avn. to the south gate of the research base.
From Shuangliu Airport:
There is no direct bus available. You can take Metro Line 10 from the airport T1 or T2 terminal to Taipingyuan Station, transfer to Metro Line 3 to Exit A of Panda Avenue Station, and take the shuttle bus to the base. It usually takes about 1.5 hours.
From Chengdu East Railway Station & Chengdu Railway Station:
Take Metro Line 7 to Simaqiao Station and then transfer to Metro Line 3 to Exit A of Panda Avenue Station, and take the shuttle bus to the base. It usually takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
By Scenic Area Direct Bus
Direct route to popular scenic areas in the downtown area: There are dedicated buses to attractions like Chunxi Road, and Kuanzhai Alleys.
By Taxi
Taxi Reference Price:
| Departure | Expected Fare | Duration |
| Shuangliu International Airport | About CNY 100 | 40-50 min |
| Tianfu International Airport | About CNY 200 | 60-70 min |
| Chengdu Downtown (Chunxi Road) | About CNY 40 | 25-35 min |
| Chengdu East Railway Station | About CNY 40 | 20-30 min |
Note: Duration and fare may vary depending on traffic conditions. They are subject to the real-time circumstances.
Chendu Panda Base Tickets & Opening Hours
Book Chendu Panda Base Tickets now| Entrance Fee | CNY 55; Free for children under 1.3m (4.3ft) or under 6 years old, and the seniors over 60. |
| Opening Hours | 07:30 to 18:00 (tickets sales stop at 17:00) |
| Sightseeing Car Ticket Fare | CNY30 unlimited rides Free for children under 1.3m (4.3ft) if not taking a seat. |
| Sightseeing Car Operation Time | Peak seasons (from April to October): 8:00~17:30; off – peak seasons (from November to March): 8:00~17:00 |
3 Recommended Route to Visit Chengdu Panda Base
South to West Route (Including Hua Hua) (6-7 hours)
South Entrance (45) – No. 6 Panda Enclosure (Hua Hua) (queuing for 45min to 90 min, watch Hua Hua 3 min) (52) – Sunshine Delivery House of Giant Panda (55) – Moonlight Panda Delivery House of Giant Panda (62) – Spring Sun Giant Panda Pavilion (31) – Cloud Sun Giant Panda Pavilion (30) – Reflection Sun Giant Panda Pavilion (29) – Starlight Giant Panda Pavilion (19) – Starry Sky Giant Panda Pavilion (18) – River Moon Giant Panda Pavilion (09) – Embracing Moon Giant Panda Pavilion (10) – West Entrance/Exit (01).
This route will take you a whole day. Along this route, you will first visit the Baozang Lake area where the pandas are most concentrated, and you can see a total of 60-70 pandas including Huahua. Please plan your time according to the actual situation of the panda house: the feeding time is 10:00-11:00 in the morning and 14:00-15:00 in the afternoon. These two time periods are probably the most active time of the day. You should be able to reach the panda house during these two time periods. This route requires walking, you may consider taking a sightseeing car to save walking time.
If you don’t want to see Huahua, you can go to the Giant Panda Museum and visit the adult panda enclosure and the sub-adult panda enclosure.
West Park Route (3-4 hours)
West Entrance (01) – Embracing Moon Giant Panda Pavilion (10) – River Moon Giant Panda Pavilion (09) – Bright Moon Giant Panda Pavilion (08) – Starry Sky Giant Panda Pavilion (18) – Starlight Giant Panda Pavilion (19) – Reflecting Sun Giant Panda Pavilion (29) – Cloud Sun Giant Panda Pavilion (30) – Spring Sun Giant Panda Pavilion (31) – Rising Sun Giant Panda Pavilion (28) – Rest by Panda Street (23) – West Entrance/Exit (01)
This 3-4 hour route offers photographers and tranquility-seekers a premium panda viewing experience. Following this path, you’ll encounter 30-40 pandas in spacious habitats with minimal crowds – perfect for capturing great photos. While you won’t see panda cubs here (they’re in the South Zone nurseries), you’ll enjoy relaxed, crowd-free encounters with adult pandas in beautiful natural settings.
South Park Route (2.5 hours)
South Entrance (45) – Sub-Adult Giant Panda enclosure (54) – Giant Panda Cub Enclosure (52) – Sunshine Delivery House of Giant Panda (55) – Moonlight Panda Delivery House of Giant Panda (62) – No.2 House for Giant Panda (60) – No.1 Red Panda Enclosure (56) – Giant Panda Museum (46) – South Entrance (45)
Perfect for families, this 2.5-hour route starts at South Gate, showcasing pandas at all life stages – from adorable cubs at Sunshine/Moonlight Nurseries to playful juveniles and adults at the villas, plus lively red pandas.
West to South Route (5.5 hours)
West Gate (01) – Mountain Moon Giant Panda Pavilion (04) – Cloud Moon Giant Panda Pavilion (05) – Bright Moon Giant Panda Pavilion (08) – River Moon Giant Panda Pavilion (09) – Embracing Moon Giant Panda Pavilion (10) – Bamboo Tower (36) – No.1 House for Giant Pandas (61) – Red Panda Delivery House (59) – No.2 Red Panda Enclosure (58) – Sunshine Delivery House of Giant Panda (55) – Giant Panda Cub Enclosure (52) – Adult Giant Panda Ebclosure (53) – No.14 Giant Panda Ebclosure (51) – Giant Panda Museum (46) – Consulting Service (44)
This premier photography route takes you through the most scenic sections of the Panda Base, from the breathtaking Moon Valley Area with its charming panda pavilions to the panoramic Bamboo Tower viewpoint. Along the way, you’ll capture unforgettable moments of giant pandas in natural habitats and adorable red pandas at play – perfect for creating a stunning visual story of your visit.
Tips for Visit Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base
- The base is large and often crowded. A private tour can help you move around more easily and see more pandas while avoiding long waits.
- Try to visit during cooler weather. Pandas like cool and shady places, so they are more active and often stay outdoors in spring and autumn.
- If you hear a sudden loud noise, go and check it out. It might be a panda falling from a tree or the keeper feeding them — both are fun to watch.
- Visit early in the morning for the best chance to see pandas active. They usually eat, play, and climb between 7:30 am and 9:30 am.
- During busy times like summer holidays, May Day, and National Day, book your tickets early and arrive as soon as the base opens to avoid crowds.
- Please keep quiet while visiting. Loud noises can stress the pandas and disturb their daily life.
- Avoid using flash when taking photos. Flashlight can hurt pandas’ eyes, especially young ones. Please follow the rules to protect them.
- Do not feed the pandas or pick bamboo for them. Their diet is carefully managed by trained staff to keep them healthy.
Panda Volunteer Experience at Panda Bases Around Chengdu
Want to get closer to pandas? You can join the volunteer keeper program at Dujiangyan Panda Base or Wolong Panda Center! You’ll help prepare food, clean enclosures, and learn from real caretakers while supporting conservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Golf carts are recommended for seniors and visitors with mobility needs, especially in the South Zone during off-peak seasons when wait times are shorter. However, be aware that in the West Zone, carts save minimal time as substantial walking between exhibits is still required. During peak seasons, long waits (30-40 minutes) make walking more efficient for most visitors.
The base offers three dining options:
- Zhuyun Restaurant – A unique bamboo-themed Chinese restaurant serving “Whole Bamboo Banquet” dishes.
- Rose Garden Western Restaurant – Offers coffee, pastries and light meals with lakeside seating.
- Panda Café – Cozy spot for Italian coffee and snacks.
For more variety, consider eating downtown. Visitors with children may bring snacks (please dispose of trash properly). Note all venues get crowded during peak hours.
Yes, the Panda Base features four charming gift shops located at the main entrance, museum lobby, Panda Bookstore, and Sunshine Nursery area. These nature-themed wooden shops offer a wonderful selection of panda plush toys, art books, DVDs, and unique handicrafts for visitors to bring home special memories.
Besides, the Panda Post Office in the base sells postcards with commemorative stamps and cute panda postmarks on them. They can send your postcards to all over the world. You can send a cute panda postcard to your friends and family, or to yourself.
The West Gate (new entry) was constructed in 2019 as part of the base expansion, near Military General Hospital Metro Station.
While the website states on-site assistance is available, online pre-booking is strongly recommended as tickets often sell out. Foreign visitors can book via the official WeChat account using a passport or book a discount ticket at trip.com. Note: The same day ticket on site is not available.
Yes, strollers are available for rent at ¥5/hour (max ¥50/day). Note some areas have stairs which may be challenging. The shuttle bus is stroller-friendly.
Free luggage storage is available at both South & West Gate visitor centers (all sizes accepted). Items must be collected by 5:30pm daily.