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Pandas#Nature

Giant Panda Base

Chengdu4.93 hr15k saved

The Chengdu Research Base on the city's northern edge keeps dozens of giant pandas in bamboo-forest enclosures, plus red pandas that roam closer. Come right at the 7:30am opening for morning feeding, when the pandas are awake and clambering (and tumbling out of) trees; by midday they nap and hide. The nursery with the cubs draws the biggest crowds, so hit it first.

Good to know

  • Book ahead. 100% advance online booking, real-name timed entry, NO on-site ticket booths (WeChat mini-program or Trip.com, up to 14 days ahead); enter within your
  • Best time — early morning — At 07:30 opening - feeding ~08:00-10:00 when pandas are most active/eating; by midday they nap and crowds peak.
  • Mar-Oct 07:30-18:00 (entry 07:30-17:00); Nov-Feb 08:00-17:30 (entry 08:00-16:30).
  • Arrive at opening — pandas nap by noon
  • See the cub nursery before the queues build
  • Use the shuttle cart for the far enclosures

Insider tip — Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue (cheap, avoids traffic) or Didi for an early start; inside, walk uphill to the far/Sunshine nursery enclosures FIRST - most active at feeding

Photo: Jay Wennington · Unsplash License

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