One of the largest draws to this city in China, perhaps even the biggest attraction, are the pandas. There is only a very small portion of the world where these fascinating animals reside and its right here. The amazing Giant Panda Research Base in Chengdu is the closest facility to the city in which to enjoy these incredible creatures.
The Base (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地)
Officially called the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, it is a government funded facility founded in 1987. The primary purpose is to provide a safe and nurturing environment to research and breed giant pandas, red pandas and other local animals. Initially the base had six giant pandas that had been rescued from the wild. That number has now grown to over 200 through breeding and other rescues. Visitors will not see nearly that number though, as most are located indoors and away from the viewing public.
Tickets
Visitors cannot purchase their tickets on location they must be purchased online ahead of time. My hotel staff asked if I wanted to buy one the day before at their desk. There is no mark-up, this is an initiative by the government to assist tourists. The cost for one adult is currently ¥55 or $11.50 CAD. Tickets can also be purchased using the WeChat App or through a third-party site such as Viator or Trip.com. You will need to enter your passport information when booking the ticket and show it when you pass through the turnstile to enter the facility.
Entrances
There are two, the main entrance is the original one and the busiest. It is closest to the famous giant pandas and the original breeding centres. The West Entrance is the new entry point and is much much calmer and quieter. Panda enclosures here are large and it can be more difficult to spot the panda’s simply because they have more space.
There is a train that you can pay an extra ¥30 for, that you can hop on and off at designated stops, when ever you like. It’s a good way to get from that western entrance if you have mobility issues or simply don’t want to walk the 7km distance. Yes, that’s how large this park/facility is!
My Didi driver took me to the main entrance, the west entrance was closed the day I decided to visit. I arrived at 7:05am, the park opens at 7:30. There are many guards directing the hoards of people where to go and stand before the park opens. It’s a very organized situation and visitors are kept in groups away from each other while waiting. Once those doors open it’s not a mad rush, instead, your guard will take the group up to the ticket checkers, and it is then the running and mad dashing begins.
Giant Pandas
I was so dismayed when I first entered. Not going to lie. There are so many people vying to get to the pandas it’s a little insane. First, I should mention there is a famous panda. Almost every national visitor will want to see this lady. I didn’t even try; there was no way I was going to get close to her and even if I did the experience would have been awful.
Instead, I hightailed it through the park, at random. I could not for the life of me figure out where I was, using the maps that are frequently placed on the trails. After about an hour, and seeing only two pandas at a distance, I was feeling a little defeated, shoulder slumped and ready to call it quits.
I had walked and walked with virtually no results. Time to find a beverage and have a sit down to collect my thoughts. Once I had renewed my stamina and mind, I set out again in search. The morning is the best time to come to see the pandas. It’s when they are most active, feeding and actually out in the vegetation that is in front of their little houses.
Cloud Sun Giant Panda Pavilion
Persevering I headed up to the almost deserted Cloud Sun Giant Panda Pavilion. On the walk up there are a few pens, each with a sign of who was the occupier and their details. Even though each was empty, I kept going. Once into the pavilion I walked to the far side, and there…..I saw them.
Big, chubby, cute as can be, giant pandas!!!! There were four in total and they were munching on their bamboo breakfast. 🐼 Did you know that these fuzzballs will eat between 26-84 pounds of bamboo every day? It takes them 16 hours of non-stop eating to do that. As a result, they poop about 40 times a day. Their doodoo has so much fibre that paper can be made from it.
Inside this pavilion is a huge shade area with lots of seating and loads of educational signs. The break from the crowds and chance to see these funny creatures up close is magical.
Another place I was able to see the pandas relatively close up, was the Maternity Centre. Here there are smaller pens with young-uns, cute and active and some with their mommas.
Red Pandas
These cute guys have their own habitat and enclosure. Double gated, that tells me they are a cheeky lot and prone to escape. This was actually the first ‘panda’ discovered in 1825. He was named ‘panda’ because that word means ‘bamboo eater’, in Nepali. It wasn’t until 1869 that the giants were first spotted and called panda as well.
Looking more like raccoons, they are sometimes referred to as ‘lesser pandas’. While the big fellas are part of the bear family, these guys have their own family and are more closely related to raccoons and rodents.
Food & Toilets
Ok let’s cover some logistics. Food is scattered everywhere with the bulk being in the original section of the park. It is mostly pre-made hot dogs and chicken burgers. Neither of those looked at all appealing so when it was time for me eat, I opted for Panda potato’s. Simple boiled potatoes with a little seasoning, very bland and not worth the ¥25 or $5 CAD.
Closer to the South Entrance the food has the largest selection and more variety can be found. Lots of novelty ice creams, candies and drinks and space to relax and enjoy them. Costs are more expensive as one would expect from a tourist attraction. Toilets are situated at regular intervals and are clean and large. There is both western style and squatty potty.
Swan Lake
If you are in the original portion of the park and needing a quick escape from the crowds to recover your sanity, head to Swan Lake. It’s a beautiful space with a shaded trail that runs around the edge. Black swans fill a space that is closer to the dock and public seating and a delight to watch. Special pellets are available for purchase if you wish to feed them.
The Breeding/Birthing Centres
I didn’t know what to expect from these huge buildings but they are disappointing. Each one I entered was completely empty with all rooms darkened. There is nothing to see inside any of them.
The New Side
A massive expansion was completed in 2022 and this is what people refer to as ‘the new side.’ Located here is a ‘main street’ filled with shopping, an IMAX theatre, restaurants and more. Not my vibe. There is also a climbing tower which offers a view of the forest canopy.
New panda enclosures are located in this area that are larger and more modern. The majority of the 200 pandas is now in this section, leaving only the most famous ones near the original south entrance. The only problem is, these enclosures are massive and it is difficult to even spot a panda. Or so I have read from reviews.
I spent four hours in the Panda Base and only ventured into the new part for possibly an hour and didn’t see anything. Like I mentioned above, it is 7km from one gate to the other so if you are a good walker and have a full day, it would be a lovely outing. For those who don’t have that stamina, mentally or physically, the best bang for buck is towards the middle.
Leaving
I had a heck of a time trying to find the exit, it’s a long walk after already walking for hours. Note that if you plan to take a Didi back into the city, they will only pick you up from the South (original) Entrance. You need to walk out the exit and around the far side of that huge circular building. Then keep left and go towards the road. From there walk down the road past all of the parked cars, until you see a guard and a pile of people. They are also all waiting for their Didi ride. For regular taxi’s, pick them up at the top of this road, before the Didi pick-up spot.
Definitely come visit the giant and red pandas at the Base in Chengdu. The drive from the city takes roughly 25 minutes with Didi at 7am. It can take up to 45 minutes depending on traffic and time of day. It’s the most amazing experience to see these huge faced, comical creatures in the closest thing possible to their natural habitat. Pure joy.
