Nestled in the lush surroundings of the Chengdu Plain, Panda Valley offers a beautifully designed and peaceful sanctuary for giant pandas and red pandas. With its well-planned layout, visitors can enjoy an immersive experience in a natural environment, where pandas play, eat bamboo, and soak in the water. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about Panda Valley, from ticketing and transportation to the must-see spots within the park.
Ticket Information
- Ticket Price: 55 RMB per person. Tickets must be booked in advance through the “Panda Valley” official WeChat account. It’s recommended to visit in the morning, as the pandas are more active during this time.
- Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Parking: There is a convenient parking lot directly across from the entrance, priced at 10 RMB per car.
How to Get to Panda Valley
- By Car: Panda Valley is easily accessible for those traveling by car. The parking lot is right across from the entrance, making it convenient for self-drivers.
- By High-Speed Rail: Take the Metro Line 2 or Line 6 to Xipu Station, then transfer to a high-speed train. After about 25 minutes, get off at Lidu Park Station, and take a taxi for an 18-minute ride to Panda Valley.
Highlights of Panda Valley
Giant Panda Villas: The park features a return-to-nature birth house and three giant panda villas. The areas are lush with vegetation, providing a perfect environment for the pandas to play, eat bamboo, and even take baths. On hot days, when temperatures exceed 26°C (79°F), pandas will retreat indoors to cool off.
Red Panda Ecological Enclosure: Located halfway up the hillside, this section of the park mimics the red pandas’ natural habitat, offering an open-air space for them to roam freely. Here, you can observe the adorable red pandas engaging in playful behavior, hanging from trees, or casually swaying their tails.
Stacked Water Pools: As you enter the park, you’ll encounter a beautiful water feature with gently flowing streams. Mist rises from the water’s surface, creating a serene atmosphere as a few black swans gracefully glide across the pool. The sight of these swans swimming in the shimmering sunlight adds a touch of elegance to the environment.
Sanctuary of the Three Saints: At the farthest end of the park, you’ll find a peaceful Qing Dynasty-era temple, which is a stunning relic of the area’s history. The temple’s serene Buddha statues and detailed murals on either side of the hall depict various wild animals, representing harmony between all living beings.
Panda Valley Itinerary
Start at the Giant Panda Villas: Upon entering the park, you’ll be greeted by a large stone structure. Turn left to head directly toward the red pandas. Avoid following the crowd to the right, as this will lead you into more crowded areas.
Visit the Red Pandas: After a 10-minute walk, you’ll reach a wooden boardwalk that takes you up to the red panda enclosures. Early in the morning, you might catch red pandas strolling on the boardwalk or nibbling on bamboo leaves. Around 9:00 AM, the zookeepers will feed them, which is a delightful sight, as the pandas happily munch on apple slices.
Next, Head to the Giant Pandas: After visiting the red pandas, follow the signs to see the giant pandas. You can either take the left path to see the giant pandas or the right path to visit the Three Saints Temple. We recommend heading directly to the giant pandas. The peaceful walk through the park will lead you to the panda enclosures where you can watch them eating or playing. We arrived around 9:20 AM, just in time to see the pandas actively feeding.
Relax at the Café: After spending time with the pandas, take a short break at the park’s café. While the café offers light snacks, many visitors return to see the red pandas again, as they are incredibly charming. After a brief rest, we decided to go back for another round of red panda viewing!
Panda Valley Tips for a Great Visit
- Arrive Early to See the Red Pandas: If you’re hoping to catch the red pandas in action, make sure to arrive early! We arrived too late, and by the time we got there, they were already napping.
- Short Visit Duration: Panda Valley is relatively compact, and a complete visit typically takes around two hours. If you have extra time in the afternoon, consider extending your trip with a visit to Dujiangyan, a famous historical irrigation system just a short distance away.
- Perfect Photo Opportunity at Yangtianwo Square: After your visit to Panda Valley, don’t forget to stop by Yangtianwo Square, located nearby. It features a giant panda sculpture that makes for a fantastic photo spot. The attention to detail on the panda’s fur is incredibly realistic, and it’s especially striking in photographs. Plus, the square is conveniently close to the high-speed rail station.