Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

As one of the world’s most successful giant panda breeding centers—credited with more than 100 panda births—Chengdu Research Base provides visitors the opportunity to observe and learn about this threatened species. Inside, you can walk through the forested landscape; watch as giant pandas play, nap, and munch native bamboo; visit the panda nursery, subadult enclosure, and adult compound; and watch informational videos on panda behavior and the challenges of working with and breeding captive pandas.

Many full-day sightseeing tours of Chengdu include a visit to the breeding center, while some combo tours also visit popular Sichuan Province attractions such as the Leshan Grand Buddha or Jinsha Site Museum. For a personalized experience, opt for a private tour.

• The breeding center is a must-see for families with kids and animal lovers.

• Photography is allowed within the compound, but flash is prohibited.

• It takes about three hours to walk the entire campus, so remember to wear comfortable shoes.

• Steep inclines and other obstacles may be difficult to navigate for wheelchair users.

The research base is located roughly 17 miles (27 kilometers) outside Chengdu’s city center. As such, the easiest way to visit is by taxi or through an organized tour. It’s also possible to take buses 87 or 198 from downtown Chengdu to the Panda Base bus stop.

The base is open year-round and is most crowded on weekends and Chinese national holidays. Opt for an early morning visit to avoid crowds. Most pandas are born in summer; for a chance to see baby pandas, visit in July or August.

Giant pandas aren’t the only wild animal residents of the panda base. You can also observe red pandas, lesser pandas, golden monkeys, black-necked cranes, black swans, and other rare animals in enclosures that mimic their natural habitats.

Founded in 1987, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding helps to breed and care for giant pandas, red pandas, and other rare animals. It’s a popular tourist destination for both Chinese and foreign visitors. You can view the animals in their habitats while they play, eat, and sleep.

You can spend around a half day at the breeding center facility, observing pandas in their areas. The pandas aren’t always active and are often napping, so it’s a good idea to plan your visit during feeding time, when the pandas are more likely to be moving about.

Yes, for an additional fee you can hold giant pandas and red pandas at the breeding center during the morning hours—but only if the pandas are in the mood. To get ready for a cuddle, you’ll be asked to put on a gown and learn the correct panda-holding technique.

Group, private, full-day, half-day, and many other tours are available to get out to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Some tours include lunch, optional guides, or stops at other places in the general area, like the Leshan Giant Buddha or city of Chengdu.

The breeding center is open all year, but spring and fall are the best seasons to visit, since the temperatures are mild—temperatures the pandas prefer. Aim to visit in the morning during feeding time when the pandas have more energy. They get lethargic after meals and later in the day.

Yes, it is worth it to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. You can see the giant and red pandas playing, eating, and lazing around. Plus, you might see some babies and learn how they are raised. There’s some fun panda merchandise in the gift shops, too.