Chengdu Panda Sanctuary: Everything You Need to Know

Last Updated 05/05/2024 | 5th May, 2024

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Let’s be honest: anyone coming to Chengdu has the Panda Sanctuary at the top of their list.

And quite rightly so, as the panda breeding sanctuary was one of my favourite days out during my month in China.

The panda sanctuary was everything I expected and more. Of course, it’s a massively touristy place, and if you don’t get there early, you will inevitably hit the crowds, but even so, it’s still 100% worth the trip.

What is the Chengdu Panda Sanctuary?

The Chengdu Panda Sanctuary, also known as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, is a non-profit research and breeding facility in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Established in 1987, its primary focus is conserving giant pandas, a critically endangered species.

The sanctuary’s mission is to breed and rehabilitate giant pandas, conduct scientific research to understand these animals better and provide public education and awareness about panda conservation.

It’s one of the most well-known panda conservation centres in the world and attracts millions of visitors annually who come to see the pandas and learn about conservation efforts.

The sanctuary features large naturalistic habitats where giant pandas roam and engage in natural behaviours. Visitors can observe the pandas up close, learn about their biology and behaviour, and participate in various educational programs.

The sanctuary also collaborates with other organisations and researchers internationally to further panda conservation efforts.

How to Get to the Panda Sanctuary

The Chengdu Panda Sanctuary is relatively easy to get to from the centre of Chengdu.

First, you need to make your way to the bus station outside Chengdu Zoo. Line three on the metro conveniently drops you right outside. From here, you can take the 198, 198A or 87 bus.

This bus takes around fifteen minutes and drops you right outside the sanctuary. The bus driver will know exactly where you are heading (western tourists without a tour are uncommon in Chengdu!). Ours conveniently shouted ‘PANDA’ to signify we were at the right stop. Very much appreciated!

The park is very affordable, with adult tickets costing just 57¥. Students get in half price, and they were happy to accept my English student card to grant this discount. (As a note, my English student card was accepted all over China and saved me significant money during the one month I travelled the country!)

Chengdu Panda Tours

Navigating China with no knowledge of Mandarin is not the easiest thing in the world. Therefore, taking tours can be extremely useful in enabling you to get the most out of your trip.

Some great options include:

Chengdu Panda Base and Dujiangyan One-Day Private Tour

Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Giant Buddha One-Day Tour

What to Expect from the Pandas in Chengdu

As you enter the park, you will see the museum on your left. As all mature adults should do, I walked straight past this and headed directly for the panda enclosures!

The animals are separated by age (adults, teenagers and cubs are in different enclosures). Additionally, male and female pandas are also kept separate.

Of course, the main attraction is the panda kindergarten! We were lucky enough to witness six baby pandas playing and wrestling with each other. Yes, this does look as cute as you would imagine!

It’s no surprise that this particular attraction was extremely busy. It was very challenging to get a good view, let alone a photograph. However, it was still well worth the effort—a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Conversely, if you head to a quieter enclosure (in our case, the living quarters of the 30-year-old male), you may just get the chance to get up close and personal.

We were literally the only visitors at this pen, which meant we were lucky enough to witness the panda sit within meters of us. He was casually feasting on a mountain of bamboo, and we were gifted with 40 minutes of uninterrupted bliss watching him go about his morning.

Once we were satisfied with our panda viewing experience, we headed to the on-site museum. This was very informative, with plenty of information translated into English.

Here, I learned that pandas spend 16 out of 24 hours eating, and the majority of what’s left over they are asleep.

Now that sounds like the life, doesn’t it?!

Can I Hold A Panda in Chengdu?

In general, visitors are not allowed to hold pandas at reputable panda sanctuaries like the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. This is primarily for the safety and well-being of the pandas, as they are wild animals and can be easily stressed or injured by human contact.

However, some sanctuaries may offer special programs or experiences where visitors can have close interactions with pandas under strict supervision and in a controlled environment. These programs often have specific guidelines and may require advanced booking.

It’s essential to prioritise the pandas’ welfare and follow the sanctuary’s guidelines to ensure their safety and conservation. If you’re interested in interacting with pandas, it’s best to contact the sanctuary directly about any available programs or experiences they offer.