Best Panda Viewing Spots in Chengdu: Top 5 Pandas Bases You Can’t Miss

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is world-renowned for being the home of the giant panda. If you’re planning to visit this panda paradise, you might be wondering where the best place is to see these adorable creatures. Whether you’re seeking an intimate encounter or a grand panda experience, Chengdu offers several fantastic spots. From the world-famous Chengdu Panda Base to lesser-known sites like the Dujiangyan Panda Valley, each location provides a unique experience. In this guide, we’ll compare five of the most popular panda bases in Chengdu, helping you choose the ideal spot for your visit.

1. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Advantages: The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地) is one of the world’s most famous panda conservation and breeding facilities. Covering an area of 3.07 square kilometers, it consists of a new and old zone, with over 160 pandas. It’s the perfect place to witness pandas at all life stages, from cubs to adults. The star pandas, like Hua Hua and Ye Zi, often attract visitors, making it a major highlight of the visit.

Disadvantages: The biggest downside is the crowds. With so many visitors, you might wait in long lines for a quick glimpse of famous pandas like Hua Hua, who can be seen only for a few minutes, despite waiting up to three hours.

Transportation: The base is conveniently located close to the city center, with direct access via Metro Line 3. There are also shuttle buses from Chunxi Road that go directly to the base.

Details:

• Ticket Prices: 55 RMB for adults, 29 RMB for children.
• Best Entry Points: If you’re eager to see Hua Hua, enter through the South Gate; if not, the West Gate offers a less crowded entrance.
• Opening Hours: The base opens at 7:30 AM. To see Hua Hua early, it’s recommended to arrive before 6 AM and queue up at the entrance.
• Transportation Tips: The base is quite large, so buying a sightseeing bus ticket is highly recommended. It’s a great way to conserve energy while exploring. The buses run without limit, making it easier to travel across the park.
• Panda Viewing Times: To catch pandas before they start napping, aim to arrive before 10 AM. Pandas tend to sleep around 10 AM, so getting there early is key to maximizing your experience.
• Museum and Panda Tower: The Panda Museum is closed on Mondays, and the Panda Tower is closed on Tuesdays (except on public holidays).
• Food: Food within the park is not the best value for money, so it’s a good idea to bring your own snacks.

2. Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve (Shenshuping Base)

Advantages: Nestled in the mountains, the Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve (卧龙中华大熊猫苑神树坪基地) offers a more serene and natural environment, making it a perfect spot for panda viewing. It’s located within a pristine ecological habitat at a high altitude, where the cool temperatures and lush surroundings mirror the wild environments pandas thrive in. Apart from Fu Bao, the famous panda returned from Korea, the reserve also houses more than 80 other pandas.

Disadvantages: At 110 kilometers from Chengdu, the reserve is a bit of a trek, requiring about 2 hours by car. For those traveling by public transport, the journey is longer, taking approximately 2.5 hours.

Transportation:

• Self-Drive: Approximately 2 hours from Chengdu city center (110 km).
• Public Transport: From Chunxi Road or Xinnanmen Station (新南门), take a bus to the Wolong Panda Base. The ride takes about 2.5 hours.

Details:

• Ticket Prices: 85 RMB if purchased in advance, 90 RMB for same-day tickets.
• Suggested Visit Duration: About 2 hours.
• Accommodation: If you prefer to take your time and avoid rushing, it’s recommended to stay overnight at Wolong the night before your visit.
• Early Bird Advantage: The earlier you arrive, the fewer crowds you’ll encounter. Arriving by 8:30 AM will give you a head start.
• Best Entrance: Enter through the East Gate, which is less crowded and requires fewer stairs to climb. This will also allow you to be among the first to see Fu Bao.
• No On-Site Restaurants: The reserve does not have a full-fledged restaurant. There are only some quick snacks (like instant noodles or sausages) available, which can be expensive. Bring your own food for a more comfortable experience.

3. Ya’an Bifeng Gorge Panda Base

Advantages: Bifeng Gorge (雅安碧峰峡基地), a 5A-level scenic area, offers a very natural setting for panda viewing. The base is located within a lush, forested valley that creates an immersive experience, making you feel closer to nature. It’s also home to Xiang Xiang, the popular panda who returned to China from Japan. Aside from the panda base, Bifeng Gorge is also known for its wild animal feeding experiences, where visitors can feed lions and tigers.

Disadvantages: The Ya’an Bifeng Gorge Panda Base is 155 kilometers from Chengdu, making it a relatively long drive.

Transportation:

• Self-Drive: It takes about 2 hours to drive from Chengdu to Bifeng Gorge.
• Public Transport: Take a train from Chengdu South Station to Ya’an Station (tickets cost about 52 RMB), then transfer to a tourist shuttle bus (about 8 RMB) that takes you to the Bifeng Gorge Visitor Center.

Details:

• Ticket Prices: 100 RMB for the Bifeng Gorge scenic area, which includes the panda base.
• Time Schedule: Start by visiting the panda base in the morning when pandas are most active. The wild animal park can be visited later in the day.
• What to Wear: Wear comfortable flat shoes as there are many stone steps around the area.
• Other Activities: Aside from pandas, the area offers four main sections to explore: the Returnee Panda Garden, Leopard Mountain, Panda Kindergarten, and Polar Bear Plaza. For a more relaxing experience, consider purchasing a sightseeing bus ticket to cover the distance between different areas.
• Weather Tips: Bifeng Gorge is often rainy due to its high humidity, so don’t forget to pack a raincoat or umbrella.

4. Dujiangyan Panda Sanctuary (Formerly Panda Paradise)

Advantages: If you have extra time and a bit of budget, the Dujiangyan Panda Sanctuary (都江堰中华大熊猫苑) offers a unique opportunity to become a volunteer. With an advance reservation (approximately 1000 RMB), you can assist with bamboo cleaning and even make panda “nests” (called “wo wo tou”). This is a fantastic hands-on experience for those looking to engage in panda conservation efforts.

The sanctuary is home to several pandas, and while it may not be as famous as the Chengdu Panda Base, it provides a quieter, more intimate experience.

Disadvantages: One downside of the sanctuary is that the enclosures around the pandas are quite high, making it difficult for young children to see the animals unless they are held by an adult. Additionally, the environment here is not as picturesque as the Panda Valley or other well-known panda reserves. However, the opportunity to get close to the pandas and possibly volunteer makes up for these small drawbacks.

Transportation:

• By Car: From downtown Chengdu, the drive takes about 1.5 hours.
• By Public Transport: Take Metro Line 2 or 6 to Xipu Station, transfer to the high-speed train to Qingchengshan Station (around 30 minutes), then take bus 102 to the Panda Paradise stop.

Details:

• Opening Hours: The park officially opens at 9:30 AM, but you can actually enter from 8:30 AM.
• No Luggage Storage: There is no free luggage storage available, so make sure to travel light.
• Food: There is no restaurant in the park, and only water is available for purchase at the exit store. It’s advisable to bring your own snacks or meals.
• Wall Height: The walls around the panda enclosures are about 1.3 meters high, which might affect the experience for young children.
• Crowds: The park tends to have fewer tourists compared to other panda bases, which makes it a more relaxed experience. However, large tour groups may arrive early in the morning.
• Ticket Price: 55 RMB.

2. Dujiangyan Panda Valley

Advantages: Officially named the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Dujiangyan Wild Release Research Center (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地都江堰繁育野放研究中心， 都江堰熊猫谷), this lesser-known spot offers a more tranquil environment for panda watching. It is home to over 30 pandas, along with a number of semi-wild pandas. The park is compact, so it’s easy to explore without expending too much energy. Additionally, it’s located near the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a UNESCO World Heritage site, allowing you to visit two attractions in one day.

Disadvantages: The number of pandas here is smaller compared to larger bases, and you won’t find many juvenile pandas. However, it still offers a lovely experience for those seeking a quieter atmosphere.

Transportation:

• By Car: Dujiangyan Panda Valley is about 65 km from Chengdu, or about 1 hour by car.
• By Public Transport: Take the subway to Xipu Station, then transfer to a train heading to Lidui Park Station. From there, take a short taxi ride (around 10 RMB) or carpool to the panda valley.

Details:

• Opening Hours: The panda feeding starts at 1:30 PM. If you time your visit right, you can catch the pandas being more active during this time.
• Ticket Price: 55 RMB. The ticket is valid for one visit, and you can choose either the morning or afternoon session based on availability.

Summary of the Key Differences