The giant pandas are not only a Chinese national treasure but are also beloved by people the world over. They are found only in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. In total there are fewer than 1000, of which 80% are distributed within the territory of Sichuan province. Therefore, when visitors from home and abroad come to Chengdu, Sichuan Province one of their main objectives will be to see the giant pandas for themselves.
Located just 10km (6miles) away from downtown Chengdu, the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Center has been created and imitated the pandas' natural habitat in order that they might have the best possible environment for rearing and breeding. The Center cares also for other rare and endangered wild animals. The Research Center covers an area of 560 mus (92 acres), 96% of which is verdure. Giant pandas, lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white storks as well as over 20 species of rare animals are fed and bred there throughout the year. Verdant bamboo, bright flowers, fresh air, a natural hill scene and a beautiful artificial view are merged ingeniously at the base.
The necessary facilities for giant pandas have been completed and include a fodder room, sleeping quarters and a medical station. Additionally there is a Giant Panda Museum together with research laboratories and a training center. A great number of plants and as many as ten thousand clumps of bamboos and bushes have been cultivated to provide for the giant pandas' diet and habitat. The center is planning to expand by another 3000 mus (500 acres) of land on which to simulate a natural environment order to prepare the giant pandas bred at the center for release into the wild.
The Giant Panda Museum was opened in 1993 to further scientific education and to improve public awareness of the protection of both wild creatures and their environment. This is the world's only thematic museum for rare and endangered animal species. The three main exhibitions are in the Giant Panda Hall, the Butterfly Hall and the Vertebrate Hall. The exhibits include all kinds of precious pictures, more than 800 materials and show more than 2140 different samples gathered in Sichuan. These include examples of animals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects as well as fossils and models. The resources held in store at the museum include up to ten thousand samples as well as a library of thousands of books and documents. This excellent and comprehensive museum provides a wonderful venue for all who are interested in seeing something of the propagation and protection of the region's natural bio-diversity.
| Admission Fee: | CNY 30 |
| Opening Hours: | 07:30 to 18:00 |
| Recommended Time for a Visit: | About two hours |
Panda Breeding and Research Center Pictures Chinese Panda Pictures
Copyright© 1998-2009 TravelChinaGuide.com, All rights reserved.
Travelers' Voices on Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center
1.
Nov. 18,2009 11:34 Reply
Mrs.Anda Ravnikar(Slovenia, Europe) said:
Dear all!
I am Anda Ravnikar from Slovenia, Europe and I am a student of zoology. This moment I am writing a diploma about Giant pandas in zoo and I need help. If you are ready to help me with informations about giant pandas, please send me your answer to my email.
Thank you
Best regards
Anda Ravnikar
2.
Nov. 13,2009 11:05 Reply
Ms.Raye(Australia) said:
will be going to visit the pandas in 2 days. the price should be 1000yuan, converted into AUD (1000/6) about $167AUD, definitely worth it. people who think it is expensive, i believe the tiger park in dreamworld charges around $700AUD for a morning stroll with a tiger so in comparison, it is quite reasonable especially considering how rare pandas are.
as far as i know, the price is set in stone, not made up by the keepers as some people are accusing. these are tickets bought at a ticket station with the price shown on the board. this money will obviously be used to pay the keepers but the park needs to make money to protect the pandas also - as far as i know, with a "panda card" you can get in for 30 yuan - which is very very cheap so the only way they make money is from the photos. will let you all know of my experience
3.
Oct. 28,2009 02:14 Reply
Ms.rowan(US) said:
I'm looking for the best way to get from the train station in Chengdu to the panda reserve. Anyone have any ideas? Also does anyone have an opinion on the hotel at the reserver?
Oct. 28,2009 03:17
Mrs.Green replied:
Hello,Ms.rowan
Walk about 250m from the railway station to Huanlubeisanduan, take bus no.32 from Huanlubeisanduan to Zhaojuesihenglu and then transfer to Bus.198 from Zhaojuesihenglu. Get off at the stop of Xiongmaojidi (panda base) and walk about 100m, you will get there.
Nov. 2,2009 09:25
Mr.anthem(poland) replied:
Take a taxi from railway, its cost about 20Y - its nothing!
4.
Oct. 30,2009 11:10 Reply
Mrs.becky(usa) said:
My husband and I want to come to china and would love to hold a panda. My question is-Is chengdu panda breeding and research center the only place you can hold a panda? Can you hold one at the chongqing zoo? We are trying to decide if we should take a tour that takes you on the yangtze river and goes to chongqing zoo where I thought you could hold pandas or should we not take this type of tour and try and find a tour that takes you to the chengdu panda breeding and research center? This will be our first time to china and we only speak english. Thank you in advance for your help.
Oct. 30,2009 20:46
Ms.Betty replied:
As far as i know it is the only place that you can hold a panda. If you really want to see pandas and hold one, i suggest you go to chengdu panda breeding and research center.
Oct. 31,2009 21:20
Mrs.becky(usa) replied:
Ms. Betty, thank you for your information. We will try and find a tour that includes chengdu panda breeding and research center.
5.
Oct. 14,2009 22:43 Reply
Mr.John Maier(USA) said:
I am retired in Honolulu. I have visited the Panda Reserve in Chengdu. I have a dream, that China, as a diplomatic guesture, give two pandas to the Honolulu zoo for mthe people and children of Hawaii to enjoy. Hawaii, the birthplace of President Obama, home once of Sun Yatsen, has a long history of good relations with China.
John H. Maier
Honolulu
Oct. 15,2009 04:58
Mr.Shi(China) replied:
Hello,John Maier
I think you should try to contact related orgnization and authorities. That may work better if you really want to see that diplomatic gesture. Welcome to China to see thoes pandas.
6.
Sep. 24,2009 05:49 Reply
Mr.Ivan said:
Is it possible to go on a tour to see a wild panda?
7.
Sep. 7,2009 03:50 Reply
Ms.Kiwii(Singapore) said:
Hi all, is it advisable to go to the Research Centre during winter (Dec)? Will the pandas be as active as in summer?
Sep. 7,2009 22:43
Mr.Anna replied:
hi,the pandas is not so active in winter than in summer.
8.
Mar. 30,2009 22:52 Reply
Ms.Panda Lover(Hong Kong) said:
I'm a complete panda lover and we're planning a long awaited visit to see the Center in a week's time during Easter. I've been reading different sites and somehow getting different information.
Firstly, I read about all the experiences holding a panda and taking a photo which sounds a must do, but I've also read the different amounts people had to pay to hold a panda (from 100s to 1000s).
One of the latest I've heard is you get 7 minutes per person for the experience, RMB500 to hold an adult panda and RMB1000 to hold a baby panda. But that 7 minutes includes getting dressed in protective clothing and you will only actually get 1 minute to take photo's or videos with the panda in your lap. Is this info. correct?
Can anyone who has been and held a panda tell me how much they actually paid and how long they got to hold the panda?
Secondly, I read on the main site that it will cost approx. RMB30 to get there by taxi from Chengdu centre. Is this correct? Has anyone taken a taxi there? If so, how much did it cost and how long did it take? I want to make sure I plan well enough so that I can wake up early enough and arrive at the center as soon as it opens at 8am (according to main site). Although it says the centre opens as early as 7.30am on this site.
And finally, on this site, it says that the entrance fee is 30RMB, but on the main official site, the cost is 58RMB. Not sure if the information on this site is a bit outdated!
Would really appreciate your info. and advice.
Thanks
Apr. 21,2009 02:07
Ms.Panda Lover(Hong Kong) replied:
I finally managed to get to Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base at Easter. Only took about 35mins by taxi for less than 80 yuan from city centre.
Yaan is about 2-3hrs from Chengdu. We only had 3 days so didn't go to that place.
We saw about 40-50 pandas altogether.
Arrived 7.45am on Saturday morning and allowed in a few minutes before the 8am opening time. There were a few other locals, but luckily no tour groups at that time, so it was nice and quiet to take good pics.
We saw the panda cubs first and they were definitely most active around 8am. About half an hour later, the first tour group arrived. The pandas became a lot less active from as early as about 9.30am. So we were really glad we got there as soon as it opened.
I paid 1000 yuan to have a panda cub in my lap for less than a minute (500yuan to hug adult panda). It was a one off opportunity so paid the high price. We didn't organise it before and couldn't find anyone who could for half an hour, until I saw one of the nearby tour guides (who spoke cantonese too). He kindly helped me arrange it by joining his tour group in the line. It's a good idea to call the base to arrange it before you go.
If you decide to do it, make sure your batteries have enough power and memory cards have space to ensure you don't miss any photo or video opportunity in the few seconds you get to hold the panda.
The guide told me the money goes to development of base after the earthquake. Later heard they charged same high price before earthquake anyway. Just hope money does go to pandas and not to the keepers' greed.
Spent a good 4hrs at the base. There's a swan lake (although not many swans)which had many big goldfish in it which you can pay 5 yuan for food to feed the fish.
You can buy postcards stamps and there's a postbox to send them overseas too at the museum.
I had a great time and my boyfriend proposed to me there too, which made it even more special.
It's a panda lover's paradise!
Enjoy!
Apr. 21,2009 02:41
Ms.Panda Lover(Hong Kong) replied:
Just read some of the other comments and queries.
This is for anyone who is planning to pay for holding a panda at the Chengdu Breeding Base.
Do you have to arrange it beforehand?
If I went again I would definitley call up the base to arrange it before I go. This is esp. if you don't have a guide already who can do it for you. There's a visitor information number you can call to ask about and arrange the visit. I would imagine calling the day before is sufficient unless it's high tourist season in Chengdu.
I also recommend arranging to hold the cub before 10am if they allow it because it may get quite busy after that, especially on weekends. In this way, you may get to hold the cub for the full minute or two without being rushed through the expeerience.
2. Do the pandas look sccared or unhappy?
The panda cub I held seemed quite content as the keepers made sure it had cane to chew. There was one moment when the cub dropped the cane and turned to stare right into my eyes. Then its paw suddenly went for my face. The keepers had to run over and quickly put another cane in the cub's paws before it scratched my face. Then it continued to chew happily! We made sure we didn't use flash when taking pictures.
Was it worthit?
If you're a panda lover, then yes, definitely worthit!
As i say, try and arrange it before and get as much time with the panda when it's not busy and the experience may not feel too rushed.
Some people say the money goes towards the panda base as a donation for research and development which can be very costly. One guide told us they only introduced this (pay and hold a panda) after the earthquake. We later heard it existed long before the earthquake. I spose you will never know for sure, but they do give you a receipt for the 'donation'.
What's the best time to visit?
We're so glad we researched advice online before and arrived at the base at 8am. You'll get better pictures, it's quiet and the pandas are most active then.
May. 24,2009 14:19
Ms.khia(usa) replied:
I have been to the center and it does cost 100 yuan to hold a panda not a thosand dollars a thosand yuan. It is however worth it and all of the money goes to the pandas. I heard one person say it is greed they charge so much but thats how much it costs to feed all the pandas. If the line is short you can hold the panda much longer. I got to hold the panda for about five minutes and feed him some sugtar cane while holding him. It was an amazing experience.
Jun. 6,2009 08:52
Ms.Panda lover replied:
Am definitely angry to read that they are charging significantly different prices then. That is real greed and am very disappointed with this. My boyfriend told me it wasn't even a minute I got to hold the panda and I didn't get to feed it either.
Although I'm sure some of the money goes to the pandas' feed, the keepers must be pocketing 1000s a month for themselves.
Jun. 19,2009 07:26
Ms.FRESHONION(Russian Federation) replied:
Ms Khia, you paid only 100Y (while most of others were charged 1000). Was this price told or bargained?
Aug. 16,2009 04:04
Mrs.Panpan's mom(USA) replied:
My daughter (12 years old) held a baby panda in January, 2009. The panda was about one year old and weighed about 100 pounds. We paid $100 USA, she held the panda maybe 2 minutes. I was allowed to go in and take pictures. They fed the panda honey while she was holding it. It was an amazing experience- It is a must do!
9.
Aug. 6,2009 14:55 Reply
Mrs.danielle(In) said:
panda bears are so cute and adurrable.
10.
Jul. 12,2009 06:31 Reply
Mr.Matteo(Italy) said:
Hello !
We will be in Chengdu for 2 days in August (Sunday and Monday). Do you know if the panda center is open on those days ?
I'm not sure I want to pay 1.000 Yuan to hold a panda cub: what's the price to have a picture next to an adult panda ?
Thanks.
Matteo from Italy
Jul. 13,2009 01:57
Ms.Wong replied:
Yes, it will be open that day. You can may less than half of that price if take picture with adult panda, about 400rmb. However, to take picture with pandas is not available everyday. It depends on the health and spiritual considition of the panda. Suggest you make a enquiry to the center in advance.