One of Chéngdū’s most popular attractions, this reserve, 18km north of the city centre, is the easiest way to glimpse Sìchuān’s famous residents outside of a zoo. The enclosures here are large and well maintained. Home to nearly 120 giant and 76 red pandas, the base focuses on getting these shy creatures to breed.
March to May is the ‘falling in love period’ (wink wink). If you visit in autumn or winter, you may see tiny newborns in the nursery.
Try to visit in the morning, when the pandas are most active. Feeding takes place around 9.30am, although you’ll see them eating in the late afternoon, too. They spend most of their afternoons sleeping, particularly during the height of midsummer, when they sometimes disappear into their (air-conditioned) living quarters.
Catch bus 49 (¥2, 40 minutes) and transfer at Zhāojué Hénglù stop (昭觉横路站) to bus 87 or 198 (¥2, 20 minutes) to the Panda Base stop (熊猫基地站, Xióngmāo Jīdì ). Alternatively, from North Train Station take bus 9 (¥2, 60 minutes) to the Zoo stop (动物园站, Dòngwùyuán ) and switch to 198 (¥2, 20 minutes). Hostels run trips here, too. Metro line 3 will run directly here when it is completed.
