The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is located at No. 1375, Panda Avenue, Chenghua District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, a world-renowned ex-situ conservation base, scientific research and breeding base, public education base, and educational tourism base for giant pandas, as well as the "Ecological Demonstration Project for Ex-situ Conservation of Giant Pandas". It is famous for its commitment to protecting and breeding giant pandas, red pandas, and other endemic endangered wild animals in China. The base covers a total area of 3,570 mu, of which the expanded area is 2,535 mu. Its giant panda delivery rooms, breeding areas, scientific research centers, and panda hospitals are reasonably arranged, with multiple panda "villas" scattered among the mountains and forests. The entire base follows and uses the original topography and landform, forming a multi-layered landscape belt of mountain valleys by using mountain gullies and streams. According to the theme characteristics of pandas, it is generally divided into Adventure Valley Area, Infinite Hills Area, Treasure Lake Area (old panda base area), Exploration Forest Area, Hero Farm Area, Scientific Research Office Area and other regions.
History and Culture
In the 1980s, the Fargesia in the Qionglai Mountains bloomed and withered, and some giant pandas were rescued due to food shortage and hunger and concentrated in the Chengdu Zoo. In 1987, the Chengdu Municipal People's Government decided to establish the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, implementing a management model of one team with two brands together with the Chengdu Zoo. The base broke ground in March of the same year and was completed in 1988. After three phases of construction, it successively built giant panda houses, sports fields, feed rooms, laboratories, veterinary hospitals, as well as water supply, power supply, communication and other facilities, becoming a demonstration base for ex-situ conservation of giant pandas specializing in captive giant panda breeding, scientific research on diseases and related scientific research and popular science education. After 1990, the Chengdu Base and Chengdu Zoo became two independent entities.
In October 1991, the second phase of expansion of the Panda Base started and was completed in 1995, building a giant panda habitat simulating the wild ecological environment. In 1992, the Chengdu Giant Panda Museum in the base began to be built. In 2000, the base took the lead in carrying out public protection education work in the national wildlife protection system and established a science popularization education department. On October 1, 2014, the Dujiangyan Wild Release Breeding Research Center "Panda Valley" of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding was trial opened to the public, and was officially opened on April 20, 2015.
In 2019, the Chengdu First Planning Committee reviewed and approved the "Panda Capital" overall planning and conceptual planning scheme. In August of the same year, the new hall of the Chengdu Giant Panda Museum in the base began exhibition construction, and was officially opened to the public on March 3, 2021. In September 2019, the expansion project of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding started. After the completion of the expansion project in 2021, the total area of the base was further expanded. In March 2021, the LOGO of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding was officially released. On January 1, 2022, the expanded area of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding was pre-opened for trial operation.
Main Attractions
Adventure Valley
As the area with the most concentrated giant panda enclosures in the new area, the valley area is distributed with 7 giant panda enclosures, including 4 circular animal houses and 3 pebble animal houses. The names of the enclosures are "Shanyue Pavilion", "Yunyue Pavilion", "Qiuyue Pavilion", "Wangyue Pavilion", "Mingyue Pavilion", "Jiangyue Pavilion", and "Xianyue Pavilion". Among them, the 4 circular animal houses are relatively concentrated, and many giant pandas often gather here. The enclosures are connected by sightseeing trestle bridges. The interior of the animal house is approximately circular, with the outer ring being the tourist viewing area and the center being an open-air activity field.
Hero Farm
The Panda Tower in this area is a new landmark building in Chengdu and a new commanding height in Chengdu. The Panda Tower is 69.8 meters high, with 9 floors. The tower is shaped like a bamboo shoot after rain, and the floor space is guided by hibiscus flowers. Climbing the Panda Tower allows you to overlook the entire Panda Base.
Treasure Lake
There are many attractions here. The bronze statue of a giant panda mother and child, as the landmark building of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, also stands an identical statue in Phoenix, the sister city of Chengdu in the United States.
The Giant Panda Museum systematically exhibits the evolutionary history of giant pandas, the general situation of ancient and modern distributions, wild ecological habits, anatomical and biological characteristics, as well as the achievements of wild protection and artificial breeding of giant pandas, helping people to fully understand giant pandas and their living environment. The museum has a construction area of 7,179 square meters and an exhibition area of 4,342 square meters, divided into seven main exhibition areas: Panda Prequel, Bamboo Forest Hermit, Panda Discovery, Endangered Era, Protection Road, Ecological Home, and Create Future. It also has a 3D cinema and a dome cinema. Through interactive experience, scene restoration, immersive tour and other ways, the public can understand the living status of giant pandas and other rare animals and inspire environmental protection and animal protection awareness while visiting and entertaining.
Swan Lake is a characteristic artificial lake in the base, where wild animals such as whooper swans, black swans, mandarin ducks and ruddy shelducks live. The lake enjoys the reputation of the best bird watching base in Chengdu with the concept of respecting nature and protecting the environment in design and planning.
The Giant Panda Science Exploration Hall covers an area of about 1,000 square meters, with the theme of "Overview of the Panda Research Base", "Mysterious Giant Panda", "Panda's Love and Marriage", "Panda's Genetic Exploration", "Cradle of Life", and "Panda and Its Partners". From a scientific and professional perspective, it introduces scientific knowledge about the reproduction, genetics, nutrition, endocrinology, etc., of giant pandas, as well as the little secrets of giant pandas' lives and the stories behind researchers. The hall also has a multimedia interactive area where you can experience the growth process of giant pandas.
The Panda Hospital specially provides medical care, disease treatment and field rescue services for giant pandas, red pandas and other rare wild animals, mainly carrying out diagnosis, treatment and disease prevention research related to internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, parasitology and infectious diseases of these rare wild animals.
The Giant Panda No.1 Villa and No.2 Villa are the places where giant pandas live, with eco-friendly activity fields where giant pandas can play freely in the garden.
The Sub-adult Giant Panda Villa is inhabited by 3-4-year-old "sub-adult" giant pandas. Giant pandas at this stage are equivalent to human teenagers, with gradually mature minds and stronger bodies.
The Red Panda Activity Field is an open visiting area. The red panda is a second-class protected animal in China. It looks like a raccoon and belongs to the separate family Ailuridae. It has a brownish-red coat and a bright nine golden rings on its tail. It was once praised as "the most beautiful animal known to mankind" by the western zoological community.
Food
Hot Pot
How can you miss hot pot when in Chengdu? Chengdu hot pot is famous for its spiciness, aroma and freshness. The pot bottom is carefully cooked with beef tallow, chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns and other spices. There are many hot pot restaurants around the base for choice, such as Yushaoxiaopanda Hot Pot (Kuanzhai Alley Store), which is decorated with panda elements, has a mellow pot bottom, and tastes excellent when cooked with fresh tripe, duck intestines, beef and other ingredients.
Chuanchuan (String Hot Pot)
Chuanchuan is also one of the characteristic foods in Chengdu. Various ingredients are skewered on bamboo sticks and cooked in a boiling pot. Many Chuanchuan shops can be found in the snack streets near the Panda Base. Visitors can choose dishes according to their preferences, with affordable prices and various flavors.
Dandan Noodles
As a traditional Sichuan noodle dish, Dandan Noodles feature thin and chewy noodles, aromatic braised sauce, a savory-spicy flavor, and an appetizing aroma. In restaurants around the base, Dandan Noodles are a common staple. The noodles are drizzled with a special meat sauce and sprinkled with seasonings like scallions and pickled mustard greens, making them extremely delicious.
Zhong Shui Jiao (Zhong's Dumplings)
Zhong's Dumplings have thin wrappers and plump fillings. When served, they are drizzled with special red chili oil, mixed with garlic juice, sesame oil and other seasonings, featuring a spicy and slightly sweet-salty flavor. This signature dish can be tasted at snack shops around the Base.
Tickets
The full-price ticket: 55 yuan per person.
You can also search for the official WeChat public account "成都大熊猫繁育研究基地" on WeChat to get the latest ticket information and booking channels.
Opening Hours
Open throughout the year. The morning ticket entry time is 8:00-12:00; the afternoon ticket entry time is 12:00-16:30. The specific business status is subject to the actual opening situation of the scenic area on the day.
Tour Route
Entering from the South Gate, the recommended route is: Panda Bronze Statue - Giant Panda No.7 Villa - Giant Panda No.5 Villa - Giant Panda No.6 Villa (closed on Mondays) - Giant Panda Sun Delivery Room - Red Panda No.2 Activity Field - Giant Panda Museum (closed on Mondays).
Entering from the West Gate, the route can be: Lanyue Pavilion - Jiangyue Pavilion - Mingyue Pavilion - Wangyue Pavilion - Yunyue Pavilion - Qiuyue Pavilion - Shanyue Pavilion.
As the base is large and has many attractions, visitors are recommended to arrange a whole day to play, so that they can more calmly watch the lovely giant pandas and other animals and fully appreciate the charm of the base.
Transportation
- Subway: Take Line 3, get off at Military Region General Hospital Exit B or Panda Avenue Exit A, and there are shuttle buses to the gate of the Panda Base (shuttle buses in the direction of Military Region General Hospital go to the West Gate, and shuttle buses in the direction of Panda Avenue go to the South Gate).
- Bus: After arriving at Yulei Road Cuiwei Road Intersection Station, you can enter the scenic area from the West Gate.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Giant Panda Sun Delivery Room: This is where new life is born. You can see newly born panda cubs, which are small in size and very cute, loved by tourists. Whenever a new panda cub is born, it attracts many tourists to watch.
- Juvenile Giant Panda Villa: Juvenile giant pandas are lively and cute. Here you can see them playing, eating, sleeping and other interesting behaviors, which is one of the favorite punching points for tourists.
- Panda Science Exploration Hall: From a scientific and professional perspective, it introduces the breeding knowledge, living habits, genetic mysteries, etc., of giant pandas. The hall allows visitors to have an in-depth understanding of giant pandas through multimedia interaction and other ways, and gain knowledge during the visit.
Tour Tips
- Try to visit on weekdays or non-holidays to avoid peak crowds, so that you can better watch giant pandas and reduce queuing time.
- Carry sunscreen and rain gear. The weather in Chengdu is changeable. Pay attention to sun protection when the sun is strong, and deal with rain in time.
- Wear comfortable sports shoes, because you need to walk a long distance in the base, and comfortable shoes can make the tour easier.
- You can understand the living habits and feeding time of giant pandas in advance, and go to watch at the right time to see the more active state of giant pandas.
- When watching giant pandas, keep quiet, do not make loud noises, and avoid disturbing them.
Notes
- Feeding giant pandas and other animals is strictly prohibited. There are professional breeders in the base for feeding. Tourist feeding may affect the health of animals.
- Using flash for photography is prohibited. The eyes of giant pandas are sensitive to light, and the flash may cause damage to them.
- Follow the tour route instructions of the scenic area, and do not leave the designated route at will to avoid damaging the ecological environment of the scenic area or causing danger.
- Pay attention to the safety of personal belongings. Keep mobile phones, cameras and other valuables well in crowded places.
- Take care of the environment of the scenic area, do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean and tidy.