How to Plan a Panda Tour
Visiting the cute giant pandas in China would be the once in a lifetime experience. BUT, you may wonder which panda base is the best place to see lovely pandas or join in Panda Loving Care program, and when is the best time to visit the cuddly bears…To help you put all the questions and worries down, China Discovery, the local based travel agency in panda’s hometown, is here glad to give you detailed answers with everything about your China panda tour.
Where are the Best Places to Visit Giant Pandas?
In China, travelers can see giant pandas in some zoos and parks, like Beijing Zoo, Shanghai Zoo, Chongqing Zoo, Chengdu Zoo, Guilin Seven Star Zoo, Shanghai Wildlife Park, Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park, Hong Kong Ocean Park, Dalian Forest Zoo, Macau Giant Panda Pavilion, etc. These zoos are well located in the downtown area with limited numbers of pandas. It is very suitable for travelers who have short time and a few destinations in China, and they can pay a brief visit to see the fluffy, adorable black and white bears in person.
Moreover, since Chengdu is known as “Hometown of Giant Pandas”, travelers can see giant pandas in and around Chengdu by visiting the well-organized panda bases - Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (short for Chengdu Panda Base), Dujiangyan Panda Base, Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base, and Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base.
Giant Panda in Dujiangyan Panda Base
Differences between panda bases of Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Wolong and Bifengxia
Panda Bases | Location | Number of Pandas | Activities | Recommended Visiting Time |
Chengdu Panda Base | 15 km from Chengdu, 30~40 minutes’ transfer | Around 80 pandas | See and photography | 3 hours to half day |
Wolong Panda Base | 100 km from Chengdu, 2 hours’ driving from Chengdu | Over 30 pandas | See and photography, join in Panda Loving Care program; trekking in the wild | 1-2 days |
Dujiangyan Panda Base | 18 km from Dujiangyan; 62 kilometers from Chengdu; 1.5 hours’ transfer from Chengdu | Around 40 pandas | See and photography; join in Panda Loving Care program | Half day to 1 day |
Bifengxia Panda Base | In Ya’an city, 150 km from Chengdu with 2.5~3 hours | Around 40 pandas | See and photography, loving care pandas | about 1 day to 3 days |
If you have limited time and want to pay a short visit to see the pandas, then zoos and parks are good choices to satisfy your needs. If Chengdu is on your traveling list, you should never miss the panda bases. To do one-day Panda Loving Care program, we suggest you head to Dujiangyan Panda Base which is easy to access from Chengdu.
And if you have 1-2 days more besides your Chengdu tour, then Wolong Panda Base and Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base are good choices to experience the life-time Panda Loving Care program.
When is the Best Time to See Giant Pandas?
No matter when you come to China, you can pay a visit to see giant pandas all the year round. Every year during March to May, the pandas would seek for other pandas to mate by climbing the trees and fighting. In the late summer and autumn, they give birth to baby pandas and travelers can see the little cute being taken care in the Sunshine Nursery. If you want to see the active scene of giant pandas, come in spring. While to see the newborn pink baby pandas, it is recommended to visit Chengdu during August to September.
Giant Pandas will take 2~4 hours’ sleep in their cage after eating and they will definitely show you how to sleep - in all kinds of lovely posture. Though they are inactive, you can see their cuteness.
See Active Pandas at Chengdu Panda Base
What Kind of Activities Can I Take?
Travelers can see, observe, take pictures and shoot videos in all the zoos, parks and panda bases. Besides these activities, travelers can take Panda Loving Care program in Dujiangyan Panda Base, Wolong Panda Base and Bifengxia Panda Base. What’s more, if you are a big fan of panda, you can do the outdoor trekking research program of panda’s wild training area at Wolong Panda Base, the world only one base so far to do that activity.
Do Giant Panda Loving Care Work for 1~2 Days
At present, there are three facilities offering Panda Loving Care program in Sichuan Province. Dujiangyan Panda Base, Wolong Panda Base, and Bifengxia Panda Base are available to join in the interesting Panda Loving Care program. Here you can not only have a close look at pandas, but also learn some rescue skills and scientific knowledge about pandas.
During the classic one-day Panda Loving Care program, the activities include honorary keepers, science quest, panda nutritionist, panda movie, panda class and panda fun trip. After the Panda Loving Care activities, participants will receive an official certificate from CCRCGP that proves your love for giant pandas, as well as souvenirs, like a panda badge, a panda T-shirt or a panda club magazine.
Check more details about Dujiangyan Panda Loving Care program.
Check more details about Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Loving Care program.
Check more details about Wolong Panda Loving Care program.
Recommended Panda Loving Care Tours:
>> 1 Day Dujiangyan Panda Loving Care Tour
>> 2 Days Inspiring Ya'an Bifengxia Panda Loving Care Experience
>> 2 Days Wolong Panda Loving Care at Shenshuping Base
Join in Red Panda Loving Care program
If you are not only have interests in giant Panda Loving Care program, but also want to do further loving care work with red pandas (lesser pandas), you can head to Hetaoping Panda Base (Wolong, Sichuan) which is close to Shenshuping Panda Base, about 120 kilometers away from Chengdu downtown area with 2.5 hours’ drive.
There are over 60 red pandas in Hetaoping Panda Base. This base has designed 1-day red Panda Loving Care program, starting from 09:30 to 16:30. Like the giant panda loving care work, travelers who attend this program will have the intimate chance to take care of red pandas, clean their enclosures, prepare special food for them, take photos of the red pandas. Watch the meaningful scientific documentary and understand how to protect the endangered species. After the work, you will be rewarded with a certificate and some souvenirs. For red panda lovers, you can plan one day red Panda Loving Care program which means you will drive to the base from Chengdu and after the work, drive back to Chengdu.
Read more about the program, please go and see Red Panda Loving Care program 2025 >>.
Join Hiking Research at Panda Wild Training Area
For panda lovers, now you have the chance to do the outdoor trekking research program at panda’s wild training area at Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base, which is the only one base providing such new try in the world.
Join this one day program, hike in the primitive living environment of giant pandas, enjoy the really natural sightseeing of the protection zone, observe rare plants in panda's habitat, learn how to use the tools and instruments to collect data of panda habitats, and know what actions to protect pandas and their home. You will be one of the proud contributors to the animal species saving and nature health of our planet earth.
Check more details about Wolong Outdoor Trekking Research about Pandas.
See Baby Cub in Chengdu Panda Base
Dujiangyan Panda Loving Care program - Prepare Fresh Bamboo
Baby Panda and her Mom
Panda Likes Eating Bamboo Shoots
Sleeping Panda at Bifengxia Panda Base
Red Panda in Hetaoping Panda Base
Private Tour with China Discovery
With many years’ experience, China Discovery has taken thousands of travelers to see the giant pandas in China. Local based in Chengdu, we have the advantage to arrange Chengdu Panda Tour and Panda Loving Care program for you. No matter which panda base you want to head to and what kinds of activities you are interested, we are here trying our best to tailor make your panda tour, helping you fulfill your panda dream.
Top 4 Panda Bases & Panda Loving Care Programs in China
- Chengdu Panda Base
- Dujiangyan Panda Base
- Bifengxia Panda Base
- Wolong Panada Base
- Panda Loving Care Program 2025
- Dujiangyan Panda Loving Care
- Bifengxia Panda Loving Care
- Wolong Panda Loving Care
Useful Articles of China Giant Pandas
Recommended Panda Tours
Top 3 Panda tours chosen by most customers to explore Panda in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.
10 Days Golden Triangle Tour with Panda Fun
Shanghai / Chengdu / Xian / Beijing
6 Days Leshan, Mount Emei & Panda Loving Care Tour
Chengdu / Leshan / Emei / Chengdu / Dujiangyan / Chengdu
17 Days China Paradise Tour with Tibet Discovery & Yangtze Cruise
Beijing / Xian / Lhasa / Chengdu / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai
Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.
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