If you’re looking to experience the Chengdu Research Base of Panda Breeding without the crowds and long queues, entering through the West Gate is your best option! Unlike the busy South Gate, the West Gate offers a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy watching the adorable pandas at your own pace. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the recommended route, must-see spots, and helpful tips for the perfect panda experience.
Why Choose the West Gate?
No Early Mornings: Skip the early queues at the South Gate. Arriving at around 8:40 AM, you’ll enter the park around 9:00 AM, when the panda keepers are still cleaning up and getting ready to feed the pandas. This gives you a chance to grab a great spot and watch the panda babies emerge for their breakfast!
Better Viewing Experience: The West Area is spacious with fewer people, so you can take your time watching and photographing the pandas without feeling rushed. This is a stark contrast to the South Area, where crowds can make it difficult to enjoy the experience fully.
More Panda Sightings: Pandas in the South Area are more spread out and harder to spot due to the large trees and dense crowds. The West Area offers a better chance to see the pandas clearly in a quieter
Panda Activity Hours:
- Morning: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
- Afternoon: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
West Gate Route for a Memorable Visit
- Adventure Valley (冒险溪谷): Start by following the signs pointing you towards the scenic spots like Shanyue, Qiuyue, and Wangyue. These areas offer lovely views and tranquil settings perfect for photos.
- Xinghan Hall (星汉馆): A must-visit! This area is home to a higher concentration of pandas compared to other enclosures. You’ll find many pandas playing together, making it a perfect spot for panda lovers to enjoy close-up views and take great photos.
- Xingxing Maternity Room (星星产房): Don’t miss this spot! While there may not be baby pandas indoors, the outdoor area usually has pandas available for viewing. Around 10:00 AM, the keepers bring the baby pandas out, and they’re incredibly adorable. They’re very active and engaging, making for a delightful and interactive experience.
- Endless Hills (无限山丘): While there are fewer pandas here, the area is close to the pedestrian street and food areas. It’s a great spot to relax, enjoy a meal, and take some photos.
- Moon Maternity Room (月亮产房): Be sure to go directly to the outdoor area here, as there are no baby pandas inside. You’ll find a few adult pandas resting, but this area offers a good opportunity for photos.
- Villa Area 1 (一号别墅区): The pandas here may be more spread out or resting by the time you arrive, but this area is worth visiting. If you’re not in a rush, consider coming back after lunch when the pandas are more active.
- Red Panda Activity Area (小熊猫活动区): There are three red panda areas here where you can see playful, free-roaming red pandas. It’s a nice spot to rest and watch the energetic red pandas, especially around lunchtime.
- Solar Maternity Room (太阳产房): This area is currently under maintenance, so you can skip it.
- Queue for Huahua (花花): Around 12:30 PM, head to Villa 6 to join the line to see Huahua. The wait is smooth, usually taking about 30 minutes. By this time, Huahua is often feeding, giving you a great chance to see her up close.
After visiting the remaining villa areas at your leisure, you can exit through the South Gate. To head back, take bus 408 to the nearest subway station, or grab a taxi for a convenient ride away from the panda base.