Ever thought of exploring the exotic wildlife species of Giant Panda bears? The city of Chengdu in China is the best place on this earth for finding them. Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province in China is branded as the Panda Capital of the World the city and prides itself for having 4 Panda bases for exploring these rare diamonds of nature’s wildlife creatures. Here’s all the relevant information about the best places to see Giant Pandas in China.
Can I see Giant Pandas in Beijing?
The Giant Panda bears are bears native to China and can be found mainly in the Sichuan mountain range of China. Most Panda tours in Chengdu usually are either half-day tours or one-day tours. If you have limited time for holidaying in China, you don’t have to visit Chengdu for seeing the Pandas, you could also spot the Giant Pandas at the Beijing Zoo Panda House in Beijing but you cannot feed them or interact with them like in the 4 Panda bases of Chengdu.
4 Best Places to See Giant Pandas in China:
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
This is our top pick in Chengdu for watching Pandas. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding boasts of having the maximum number of Panda population than any other Panda base in Chengdu, about 50 of them. This place is ideal for tourists who have limited time for touring. The best time to visit the Pandas at Chengdu Research Base is during September to November. To avoid lining up in queues at the ticket counters and spot some active Pandas, visit the Panda base a little early before 8:00 am in the morning.
Address: 1375 Panda Avenue, Chenghua District
Number of Pandas: 50
Entrance Fee: CN¥ 58
Opening Timings: 7:30 hours to 18:00 hours
Duration: Half-a-day
How to Reach: Use bus no 87, 198, 198A or 867 from downtown Chengdu to reach Chengdu Research Base in 40 minutes
Dujiangyan Panda Base
The Dujiangyan Panda Base is undoubtedly one of the best places to see Giant Pandas in China; the Panda base not only lets you watch the exotic Panda bears but will also let you participate in the 1-day Panda keeper Program, a volunteer program that will allow visitors to cook food and feed the Pandas. The Dujiangyan Panda Base houses 20 Giant Pandas at the base. The program allows only 60 visitors per day so you need to book your tickets in advance for avoiding any last minute inconvenience.
Address: Shiqiao Village, Qincheng Town, Dujiangyan
Number of Pandas: 20
Entrance Fee: CN¥ 60
Opening Timings: 7:30 hours to 16:30 hours in summer; 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours in winter
Duration: One single day
How to Reach: Take a fast bullet train from Chengdu to Qingchengshan Railway Station and then get on bus no 102 to reach Dujiangyan Panda base.
Wolong Panda Center
The Wolong Panda Center is an ideal location for spotting Giant Pandas, baby Pandas, and red Pandas. Like the Dujiangyan Panda Base, the Wolong Panda Center allows visitors to participate in Panda keeper Programs for interactive tours with the Pandas that allow touching, feeding and even photographing of the rare exotic creatures. The side attraction of the Panda base is hiking in the lush green habitat of the Panda reserve.
Address: Wolong Town
Number of Pandas: 30
Entrance Fee: CN¥ 15
Opening Timings: All through the day
Duration: 2 days
How to Reach: Use the bus service from Chadianzi Bus Station in Chengdu to reach Wolong and from there hire a taxi to reach Wolong Panda Center.
Bifengxia Panda Base
The Bifengxia Panda Base is one of the best places to see Giant Pandas in China and you need to dedicate at least 3 days for exploring this less crowded Panda base. Travel to Bifengxia Panda Base in Chengdu if you want to get involved in the best volunteer programs in China for feeding and taking care of the Pandas that last for at least 2 days. Besides Panda Watching, the base is a paradise for sightseeing the scenic waterfalls and lush green landscapes.
Address: Bifengxia Scenic Area, Yucheng District
Number of Pandas: 20
Entrance Fee: CN¥ 150
Opening Hours: 8:30 hours to 11: 30 hours and 13:30 hours to 16:30 hours
Duration: 2 days
How to Reach: Catch the bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station to Bifengxia
Now that you got a bigger picture about the best places to see Giant Pandas in China, we are sure you would want to take a travel plunge to Chengdu without any further delay. Have your cheap flights to Chengdu the Panda capital of the world booked right away on IEagle.com for saving huge on airfares.
