holy!1000yuan. thats still heaps expensive even if you convert into aussie dollars. about how long do you carry it and is the line usually really long. how big are the pandas you carry anyway? wait i'm not sure if its 100 yuan or 1000 yuan
Jul. 4,2009 20:20 Mr.John replied:
It is 1000 yuan for only a few minutes: 3-5 minutes or so. The pandas are cubs. The youngest at the center should be one year old.
12.
Jun. 29,2009 16:40
Reply
Mr.pandapand(united states) said:
are there still panda cubs at the panda base? it is fine if there are not because i still love those guys, but the website says the youngest panda is two years old.
Jun. 30,2009 21:50 Mr.Colin replied:
Hello. Yes, the are still panda babies here. It is cute and visitors have chances to hug panda cubs. :-)
13.
Jun. 22,2009 04:10
Reply
Mrs.Marcia(China) said:
Does somebody know if kids ( 4 and 6 years old) are allowed to take pictures with the pandas? thank you.
Jun. 23,2009 05:00 Ms.Evelyn(China) replied:
I have never heard of the age limitation. But you will pay if you want to take pictures with a panda. What's more, tourists are only allowed to take pictures with kid panda. You know, adult pandas are very strong. They may hurt you.
14.
Jun. 21,2009 23:04
Reply
Mr.Joe Wheeler(USA) said:
For all who want the greatest thrill in the world, if you love pandas please spend the hundred or so dollars you will have an experience unlike any other,don't be a poppyjay,you are dressed in hospital garb and told to sit down and they bring this most wonderful animals God made. it will be on your lap and the handlers will be feeding it bamboo and the panda unless you do something quickly or try to take its food could not care at all about you holding them,that bamboo is all they care about,and the handlers will use your camera and take pics for you,my best one was enlarged and given to me at Christmas and hangs on my wall.The center can use the funds we give them so please hold one.
15.
Jun. 3,2009 14:21
Reply
Ms.PandaExperience(United Kingdom) said:
Hi I am heading to this exciting place in July this year. I'm going to be going around the Panda reserve on my own and would love the opportunity to hold a panda. Just wondering, someone above said that the staff take photos on your camera - is this accurate? This would be the ideal situation for a solo traveller like me!
Thank you in advance
Jun. 5,2009 22:35 Ms.Ruth(China) replied:
Yes, it's accurate. But you should pay for that. It's expensive to hold a panda in your arms.
Jun. 6,2009 09:08 Ms.Panda lover replied:
You might want to call and arrange it all with the tourist info. centre there before you go unless you can speak Mandarin, otherwise it can be difficult to communicate with the other staff. Or you might be lucky and join a queue if there is one at the time, but there wasn't one for about half an hour when I was there and I couldn't find anyone in that time who could tell me what to do to arrange it in English.
Jun. 21,2009 22:20 Mr.Anastasia(USA ) replied:
I'll be there in July as well--can you just show up? Or, do you need to make a reservation...?
16.
Jun. 14,2009 20:27
Reply
Ms.Diane(South Africa) said:
I will be in Chengdu soon and would like to visit either the Chengdu panda breeding base or Bifenxia. I have very limited time. I am not sure which one to visit and would value any comments. Is it easy at both places to take reasonably close up photos of pandas without fences and bars in the way? Where is it easier to hold a baby panda and also have photos taken with an adult panda? Can a friend take these photos? What are the prices at Bifengxia and Chengdu for a) holding a baby panda and b) photos taken with an adult panda? I am so looking forward to this wonderful experience!
Jun. 15,2009 20:39 Mr.Jackson(UK) replied:
I went to Chengdu Panda Breeding Base which is not far from the City Centre in a 35 mins taxi ride. If you read the previous posts you will see that visitors were charged very different prices to hold a baby panda, with one woman saying she paid 100 yuan, while another having to pay 1000 yuan, so there's a bit of greed and corruption going on, which was what a lot of the locals were telling me when we visited Chengdu earlier this year anyway. Hugging an adult panda is also possible at the same place for about half the price - I was quoted 500 yuan but wouldn't be surprised if they charged you a different price for it. It's assumed that the money all goes towards feeding the pandas, but many locals told me it's pocketed by the keepers. If you love pandas that much, then you may think it's worthit and enjoy the experience.
17.
Jun. 5,2009 14:05
Reply
Ms.Sara said:
Is the Panda Reserve still in Chengdu after the earthquake? I've read they've been completely relocated to Ya'an? Anyone clear this up?
Thanks
Jun. 5,2009 22:41 Ms.Evelyn(China) replied:
You may misunderstand that. Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center was not moved, but the Wolong National Natural Reserve has been moved to Bifeng Gorge in Ya'an. Just see the related page: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/sichuan/chengdu/bifengxia-panda-base.htm
Jun. 7,2009 05:29 Ms.Sara replied:
thankyou for your help
18.
May. 7,2009 06:08
Reply
Mr.Kevin(USA) said:
Just went there a few hours ago (on May 7th). We got there at 7:30 am and had to wait about 20-30 minutes until they opened. We got there early to hold the 7 month old pandas before a line formed (since we heard that the longer the line, the less time you get to hold them). At 8:30 am we were told that we could not hold them until 10:00 am, which was when more people showed up.
We wandered around until about 9:45 and when we returned people had already taken pics with the panda. Luckily, there was no line when we got there. It cost 1000 Yuan (RMB) to hold a 7 month old panda for about 2-4 minutes. Unlike other posts, only one person was allowed in and we had to give our camera to a staff member who took the photos (they closed a gate so you can't watch the photos being taken). Although the staff member said that she would take 2-3 photos, the ticket booth woman said that they were supposed to take 20-30 photos. When we told the staff member this, she said ok and ended up taking 20-30 photos.
Each person had to wear a poncho and plastic gloves, not sure if this is standard procedure or because of the light rain falling.
May. 9,2009 02:44 Mrs.Sarah(USA) replied:
Hi Kevin. Thanks for the info. How far from the city of Chengdu is this new center? I know when it was in Wolong it was just a few kilometers. How far is Bifengxia? Minutes or hours from Chengdu?
May. 9,2009 04:14 Mr.Panda-lover replied:
To Mrs Sarah Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center is only 6 miles to the downtown Chengdu. And Bifengxia is another panda research center to keep after the pandas in Wolong after May 12 earthquake. Bifengxia is located in Ya'an City, about one hour by bus from Chengdu.
Jun. 6,2009 09:02 Ms.Panda Lover replied:
Yes, we all had to wear thin ponchos and gloves and it wasn't raining at the time. I think it's a form of protection for the pandas.
There were 3 couples allowed in at the time I went taking turns to hold the panda. 3 took turns to hold the panda and the partners took photo's.
Hope your photo's came out okay as we didn't use flash to not scare the panda, all our photo's were blurred, but luckily we also recorded some on video which was even better.
Am so jealous you got to hold the panda for 2-4 minutes. I got less than a minute only even when there were only 3 of us in the queue to hold the panda that time.
19.
May. 5,2009 00:56
Reply
Mrs.Sarah said:
I heard that they closed the center in Wolong and have moved all the pandas to another site. Does anyone know if the new site is open to the public?? Where is the new center? Do they have a website?
May. 5,2009 04:16 Ms.Sandy replied:
The pandas in Wolong have all carried to Yaan, Bifengxia Panda breeding and reserch center. It is open to the public now. No website did I found.
20.
Apr. 25,2009 04:56
Reply
Ms.Amanda(Australia) said:
Hi,
My friend and I are going to chengdu in July and she was wanting to Bath the Panda's can this be done as we have read some website and they say you can bath them, if anyone knows please let me know. Also How far are the Panda's from Chengdu again so many different websites say different things. Any info please let me know.
Thank you
May. 1,2009 03:25 Mr.rus(Thailand) replied:
I went there just a week ago but I have never heard that we can bath the panda. anyway, the panda breeding center is just 20 minutes by city bus
21.
Feb. 5,2009 18:21
Reply
Mr.Chan(USA) said:
Can we take a taxi to the panda center ? How far is it out of town. I heard they have a place where they move the Panda since the earthquake and it is 2 hour away? Any info?
Apr. 2,2009 06:44 Ms.li(China) replied:
hello,
the place you said is Yaan,about 2hours by bus from Chengdu,it is a beautiful city too.if you want to see panda then go there!if you have any questions contact with me bluesky_yun@hotmail.com!
welcome to Chengdu!
Apr. 20,2009 11:59 Mr.Hayden(Daniel) replied:
The center in Chengdu is on the outside of the city. From the center city it is about 45min. You can take a cab there.
22.
Dec. 14,2008 10:04
Reply
Mrs.sellers(USA) said:
my husband and i have been to china many times but never to chengdu araa. we would love to visit in 2009. i understand we can have personalized tours where we can hold the baby pandas [for a fee,] this would be a life dream! how does one make a reservation for this? thank you in advance for the information.
Dec. 19,2008 08:49 Ms.Anderson(USA) replied:
Mrs. Sellers, Your inquiry about personalized tours was something I was not aware of but if you find any information on that, my email address is Rande48423@comcast.net. Thank you in advance.
Jan. 24,2009 04:33 Mr.van belle(Belgium) replied:
Hi i'm just back from chengdu and have spend some time in the panda centre. You can hold a baby panda for about 2 min for 100 dollars or a red panda for 50 yuan this money goes to the panda centre. you dont need a reservation just come early otherwise when its busy there's a long wait.
Apr. 2,2009 06:56 Ms.li(China) replied:
hello,
i live in Chengdu,if you want to see panda you can come Chengdu,but another place Yaan have more pandas it is about 2hours by bus from Chengdu,and the ticket is 50 RMB,you can go there anytime and you can take photos with panda!
Apr. 20,2009 11:58 Mr.Hayden(USA) replied:
I was in Chengdu about two weeks ago and visited the park. For a fee of about $125 we were able to hold one of the young pandas. It was an amazing experience.
23.
Apr. 1,2009 14:35
Reply
Ms.Fundraiser(17036) said:
hi... Me and my friends want to raise money for pandas. Is this a good place. We need an adress so if you are out of the state (or country)we could send you the $, also your phone number we be acceptable. PLEASE no fake ones. Our email is raiseanimaldreams@yahoo.com we really want to raise
24.
Mar. 19,2009 12:52
Reply
Ms.Terri Plimmer(united states) said:
Thank you all for sharing the information. It is very helpful to hear from those of you that have actually had the pleasure of visiting these amazing creatures. I can hardly wait to hold one in my arms. Visited you tube and found several videos of some folks holding one as well as a sneak peek of the enivornment they are kept in. So very nice to see.
25.
Mar. 12,2009 19:54
Reply
Mr.Terri Plimmer(United States) said:
Like to hear from people that have actually visited. When is the best time to see them? I want to take photos, but not sure when would be the best time to see them runnung about. If anyone has information that can help, hope you will express your thoughts and hints. Trying to balance are time to make the most of our trip. Thank you kindly.
Mar. 18,2009 09:48 Ms.Joan Carroll(USA) replied:
we were there last August and had a guide who made sure we were there early in the day. I forget the exact time but it was probably around 9 in the morning. When we arrived, the pandas had just been fed and were amazingly active. It was the experience of a lifetime, you will take a thousand photos easily in a couple of hours! You can hold a 'baby' panda (actually quite large). The price seems steep, but it is worth EVERY PENNY. I burst into tears from the experience. If you are a panda lover, you must plan on spending at least a half day here. Even so, it will be hard to tear yourself away at the end of the visit.
Mar. 18,2009 19:56 Mr.Nick(Australai) replied:
best time is feeding time in the morning around 8:00 AM
26.
Mar. 17,2009 15:03
Reply
Ms.C.Drakes((uk)) said:
my dream is to see a panda in there most natural habitat, i would love to see them and get a few good piccies the only thing i am up against is that my mobilty is not to good and have trouble walking so for the poeple who have been what is the place like for walking around, i also have severe asthma and wounder if the climate is bad for those who suffer with breathing difficulties, i do hope these are just minor worrys as i would love to go to and see them or even get close to one so i can be in a picture with one,
Mar. 18,2009 09:52 Ms.Joan Carroll(USA) replied:
I hope I am not being too optimistic, but...I don't recall any great barriers that would limit, say, wheelchair access. There are some inclines that I recall, and some areas with steps. I think there was one flight of steps near the gift shop at the entrance, but there was alternate access from another area. There is fair bit of walking involved and I don't remember any motorized access. We were there last August, tourism was pretty slow so soon after the earthquake.
Mar. 18,2009 19:55 Mr.Nick(Australia) replied:
walking around the sanctuary is very easy as there are no hills and good pathways but it is a bit of a walk once you get around to all the enlcosures. They do have electric cars that can take you around for ease. You can also pay extra for a photo holding a juvenile panda. Definitely go.
27.
Mar. 4,2009 17:22
Reply
Mrs.Kung(USA) said:
I'm interested in hearing more from people who have held the pandas. Did you just show up at the Center or did you make arrangements ahead of time? If you just showed up, is there a danger that you would get all the way there and then not be able to do it? If you made arrangements ahead of time, how did you do that? How much did it cost, and did you think it was worth it? What exactly did you get to do? Did you feel like it was bad for the pandas (were they scared or unhappy)? Anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. We're trying to decide whether to go do this (we would be going to Chengdu just for this). The trip (from Beijing or Shanghai) would be very expensive (to get there and then to hold the pandas) but it seems like a once in a lifetime chance. Also, we have an almost 2 year old girl -- would they let her touch the pandas, and would they charge the same amount for her?
Also, several people have mentioned arriving at feeding time (and others say all the time is feeding time). I'd appreciate any advice in terms of the best time to be there so that we could make the most of the experience (best time if we want to hold the pandas and best time if we're not going to do that).
Thanks in advance for any and all info -- we're trying to to make the tough decision of whether to go or not! (It would be my husband, me, our daughter, and my father-on-law, who grew up in Shanghai)
Mar. 5,2009 03:28 Mr.Panda(China) replied:
Well, Mrs. Kung, I think you love pandas so much, you can visit this website: http://www.panda.org.cn/english/index.htm this is the official website of Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research, may be you will get some satisfactory answers.
Mar. 18,2009 10:01 Ms.Joan Carroll(USA) replied:
We were there in August, and tourism was pretty slow post-earthquake. I don't know what it would be like if tourism was going full tilt! However, we just showed up. They told us it would be a 1 y.o. baby panda and in my mind I was thinking the size of a human 1 y.o. I was not thinking! A 1 y.o. panda is HUGE! maybe 50 or more lbs! I just burst into tears at the sight. Anyway, they dress you in a paper hospital gown over your clothes and have you wear gloves. They sit you on a bench, and bring the panda over and sit it in your lap. Your photo-buddy can snap as many pictures as they can, or do a video, in the allotted time. It was a couple of minutes for each person. The handlers keep the panda busy with some honey-dipped bamboo pieces so the panda is quite peaceful and content. I don't know what they do with children, there weren't any in our group. It is DEFINITELY WORTH THE MONEY IF YOU LOVE PANDAS. I would do it again. We have some awesome photos of the pandas at the center, and a video of me bawling my eyes out holding the panda! We arrived there around 9 in the morning, and the pandas had just been fed, and were quite active. There is a panda area just near where you hold the pandas, where they were playing on swings, climbing trees, playing on some platforms, sliding down hillsides, etc. We could hardly tear ourselves away. It was the MOST AWESOME EXPERIENCE! If you are an animal lover, I definitely recommend it.
28.
Feb. 27,2009 01:24
Reply
Mr.Jan(Beijing) said:
Holding pandas makes them so nervous they often wet themselves. Pandas should be admired from afar, they're not cuddly toys!
29.
Jan. 31,2009 08:20
Reply
Ms.stefania santoro(italy) said:
I was in chengdu' for 10 days in april 2007 waiting for my visa renewal and I spent 2 entire days in the panda breeding centre, it's really worth going,they are so beautiful,but i suggest you to go when is not too hot otherwise the pandas won't come out.
30.
Jan. 15,2009 14:04
Reply
Mr.Patrick(USA) said:
I spent a day here this past December (2008). It was very nice...several primary school classes were there, so many of the kids tried-out their English on me. Most could only blurt out hello before running away giggling. They were as entertaining as the pandas. This place is time well spent...and all day long is feeding time for them. That's all they do (is eat).
Jan. 28,2009 20:52 Mrs.J. Suan(USA) replied:
Is the panda base like a zoo with all animals behimd fences or is it more like the San Diego Animal Park where you feel like you are in the wild? Thanks.
Copyright© 1998-2009 TravelChinaGuide.com, All rights reserved.
Travelers' Voices on Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center (33)
11.
Jul. 3,2009 04:01 Reply
Mr.anonymous(Australia) said:
holy!1000yuan. thats still heaps expensive even if you convert into aussie dollars. about how long do you carry it and is the line usually really long. how big are the pandas you carry anyway? wait i'm not sure if its 100 yuan or 1000 yuan
Jul. 4,2009 20:20
Mr.John replied:
It is 1000 yuan for only a few minutes: 3-5 minutes or so. The pandas are cubs. The youngest at the center should be one year old.
12.
Jun. 29,2009 16:40 Reply
Mr.pandapand(united states) said:
are there still panda cubs at the panda base? it is fine if there are not because i still love those guys, but the website says the youngest panda is two years old.
Jun. 30,2009 21:50
Mr.Colin replied:
Hello. Yes, the are still panda babies here. It is cute and visitors have chances to hug panda cubs. :-)
13.
Jun. 22,2009 04:10 Reply
Mrs.Marcia(China) said:
Does somebody know if kids ( 4 and 6 years old) are allowed to take pictures with the pandas? thank you.
Jun. 23,2009 05:00
Ms.Evelyn(China) replied:
I have never heard of the age limitation. But you will pay if you want to take pictures with a panda. What's more, tourists are only allowed to take pictures with kid panda. You know, adult pandas are very strong. They may hurt you.
14.
Jun. 21,2009 23:04 Reply
Mr.Joe Wheeler(USA) said:
For all who want the greatest thrill in the world, if you love pandas please spend the hundred or so dollars you will have an experience unlike any other,don't be a poppyjay,you are dressed in hospital garb and told to sit down and they bring this most wonderful animals God made. it will be on your lap and the handlers will be feeding it bamboo and the panda unless you do something quickly or try to take its food could not care at all about you holding them,that bamboo is all they care about,and the handlers will use your camera and take pics for you,my best one was enlarged and given to me at Christmas and hangs on my wall.The center can use the funds we give them so please hold one.
15.
Jun. 3,2009 14:21 Reply
Ms.PandaExperience(United Kingdom) said:
Hi I am heading to this exciting place in July this year. I'm going to be going around the Panda reserve on my own and would love the opportunity to hold a panda. Just wondering, someone above said that the staff take photos on your camera - is this accurate? This would be the ideal situation for a solo traveller like me!
Thank you in advance
Jun. 5,2009 22:35
Ms.Ruth(China) replied:
Yes, it's accurate. But you should pay for that. It's expensive to hold a panda in your arms.
Jun. 6,2009 09:08
Ms.Panda lover replied:
You might want to call and arrange it all with the tourist info. centre there before you go unless you can speak Mandarin, otherwise it can be difficult to communicate with the other staff. Or you might be lucky and join a queue if there is one at the time, but there wasn't one for about half an hour when I was there and I couldn't find anyone in that time who could tell me what to do to arrange it in English.
Jun. 21,2009 22:20
Mr.Anastasia(USA ) replied:
I'll be there in July as well--can you just show up? Or, do you need to make a reservation...?
16.
Jun. 14,2009 20:27 Reply
Ms.Diane(South Africa) said:
I will be in Chengdu soon and would like to visit either the Chengdu panda breeding base or Bifenxia. I have very limited time.
I am not sure which one to visit and would value any comments.
Is it easy at both places to take reasonably close up photos of pandas without fences and bars in the way?
Where is it easier to hold a baby panda and also have photos taken with an adult panda? Can a friend take these photos?
What are the prices at Bifengxia and Chengdu for a) holding a baby panda and b) photos taken with an adult panda?
I am so looking forward to this wonderful experience!
Jun. 15,2009 20:39
Mr.Jackson(UK) replied:
I went to Chengdu Panda Breeding Base which is not far from the City Centre in a 35 mins taxi ride.
If you read the previous posts you will see that visitors were charged very different prices to hold a baby panda, with one woman saying she paid 100 yuan, while another having to pay 1000 yuan, so there's a bit of greed and corruption going on, which was what a lot of the locals were telling me when we visited Chengdu earlier this year anyway.
Hugging an adult panda is also possible at the same place for about half the price - I was quoted 500 yuan but wouldn't be surprised if they charged you a different price for it.
It's assumed that the money all goes towards feeding the pandas, but many locals told me it's pocketed by the keepers.
If you love pandas that much, then you may think it's worthit and enjoy the experience.
17.
Jun. 5,2009 14:05 Reply
Ms.Sara said:
Is the Panda Reserve still in Chengdu after the earthquake? I've read they've been completely relocated to Ya'an? Anyone clear this up?
Thanks
Jun. 5,2009 22:41
Ms.Evelyn(China) replied:
You may misunderstand that. Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center was not moved, but the Wolong National Natural Reserve has been moved to Bifeng Gorge in Ya'an. Just see the related page:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/sichuan/chengdu/bifengxia-panda-base.htm
Jun. 7,2009 05:29
Ms.Sara replied:
thankyou for your help
18.
May. 7,2009 06:08 Reply
Mr.Kevin(USA) said:
Just went there a few hours ago (on May 7th). We got there at 7:30 am and had to wait about 20-30 minutes until they opened. We got there early to hold the 7 month old pandas before a line formed (since we heard that the longer the line, the less time you get to hold them). At 8:30 am we were told that we could not hold them until 10:00 am, which was when more people showed up.
We wandered around until about 9:45 and when we returned people had already taken pics with the panda. Luckily, there was no line when we got there. It cost 1000 Yuan (RMB) to hold a 7 month old panda for about 2-4 minutes. Unlike other posts, only one person was allowed in and we had to give our camera to a staff member who took the photos (they closed a gate so you can't watch the photos being taken). Although the staff member said that she would take 2-3 photos, the ticket booth woman said that they were supposed to take 20-30 photos. When we told the staff member this, she said ok and ended up taking 20-30 photos.
Each person had to wear a poncho and plastic gloves, not sure if this is standard procedure or because of the light rain falling.
May. 9,2009 02:44
Mrs.Sarah(USA) replied:
Hi Kevin. Thanks for the info. How far from the city of Chengdu is this new center? I know when it was in Wolong it was just a few kilometers. How far is Bifengxia? Minutes or hours from Chengdu?
May. 9,2009 04:14
Mr.Panda-lover replied:
To Mrs Sarah
Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center is only 6 miles to the downtown Chengdu. And Bifengxia is another panda research center to keep after the pandas in Wolong after May 12 earthquake. Bifengxia is located in Ya'an City, about one hour by bus from Chengdu.
Jun. 6,2009 09:02
Ms.Panda Lover replied:
Yes, we all had to wear thin ponchos and gloves and it wasn't raining at the time. I think it's a form of protection for the pandas.
There were 3 couples allowed in at the time I went taking turns to hold the panda. 3 took turns to hold the panda and the partners took photo's.
Hope your photo's came out okay as we didn't use flash to not scare the panda, all our photo's were blurred, but luckily we also recorded some on video which was even better.
Am so jealous you got to hold the panda for 2-4 minutes. I got less than a minute only even when there were only 3 of us in the queue to hold the panda that time.
19.
May. 5,2009 00:56 Reply
Mrs.Sarah said:
I heard that they closed the center in Wolong and have moved all the pandas to another site. Does anyone know if the new site is open to the public?? Where is the new center? Do they have a website?
May. 5,2009 04:16
Ms.Sandy replied:
The pandas in Wolong have all carried to Yaan, Bifengxia Panda breeding and reserch center. It is open to the public now. No website did I found.
20.
Apr. 25,2009 04:56 Reply
Ms.Amanda(Australia) said:
Hi,
My friend and I are going to chengdu in July and she was wanting to Bath the Panda's can this be done as we have read some website and they say you can bath them, if anyone knows please let me know. Also How far are the Panda's from Chengdu again so many different websites say different things. Any info please let me know.
Thank you
May. 1,2009 03:25
Mr.rus(Thailand) replied:
I went there just a week ago but I have never heard that we can bath the panda. anyway, the panda breeding center is just 20 minutes by city bus
21.
Feb. 5,2009 18:21 Reply
Mr.Chan(USA) said:
Can we take a taxi to the panda center ? How far is it out of town. I heard they have a place where they move the Panda since the earthquake and it is 2 hour away? Any info?
Apr. 2,2009 06:44
Ms.li(China) replied:
hello,
the place you said is Yaan,about 2hours by bus from Chengdu,it is a beautiful city too.if you want to see panda then go there!if you have any questions contact with me bluesky_yun@hotmail.com!
welcome to Chengdu!
Apr. 20,2009 11:59
Mr.Hayden(Daniel) replied:
The center in Chengdu is on the outside of the city. From the center city it is about 45min. You can take a cab there.
22.
Dec. 14,2008 10:04 Reply
Mrs.sellers(USA) said:
my husband and i have been to china many times but never to chengdu araa. we would love to visit in 2009. i understand we can have personalized tours where we can hold the baby pandas [for a fee,] this would be a life dream! how does one make a reservation for this? thank you in advance for the information.
Dec. 19,2008 08:49
Ms.Anderson(USA) replied:
Mrs. Sellers, Your inquiry about personalized tours was something I was not aware of but if you find any information on that, my email address is Rande48423@comcast.net. Thank you in advance.
Jan. 24,2009 04:33
Mr.van belle(Belgium) replied:
Hi i'm just back from chengdu and have spend some time in the panda centre.
You can hold a baby panda for about 2 min for 100 dollars or a red panda for 50 yuan this money goes to the panda centre. you dont need a reservation just come early otherwise when its busy there's a long wait.
Apr. 2,2009 06:56
Ms.li(China) replied:
hello,
i live in Chengdu,if you want to see panda you can come Chengdu,but another place Yaan have more pandas it is about 2hours by bus from Chengdu,and the ticket is 50 RMB,you can go there anytime and you can take photos with panda!
Apr. 20,2009 11:58
Mr.Hayden(USA) replied:
I was in Chengdu about two weeks ago and visited the park. For a fee of about $125 we were able to hold one of the young pandas. It was an amazing experience.
23.
Apr. 1,2009 14:35 Reply
Ms.Fundraiser(17036) said:
hi... Me and my friends want to raise money for pandas. Is this a good place. We need an adress so if you are out of the state (or country)we could send you the $, also your phone number we be acceptable. PLEASE no fake ones. Our email is raiseanimaldreams@yahoo.com we really want to raise
24.
Mar. 19,2009 12:52 Reply
Ms.Terri Plimmer(united states) said:
Thank you all for sharing the information. It is very helpful to hear from those of you that have actually had the pleasure of visiting these amazing creatures. I can hardly wait to hold one in my arms. Visited you tube and found several videos of some folks holding one as well as a sneak peek of the enivornment they are kept in. So very nice to see.
25.
Mar. 12,2009 19:54 Reply
Mr.Terri Plimmer(United States) said:
Like to hear from people that have actually visited. When is the best time to see them? I want to take photos, but not sure when would be the best time to see them runnung about. If anyone has information that can help, hope you will express your thoughts and hints. Trying to balance are time to make the most of our trip.
Thank you kindly.
Mar. 18,2009 09:48
Ms.Joan Carroll(USA) replied:
we were there last August and had a guide who made sure we were there early in the day. I forget the exact time but it was probably around 9 in the morning. When we arrived, the pandas had just been fed and were amazingly active. It was the experience of a lifetime, you will take a thousand photos easily in a couple of hours! You can hold a 'baby' panda (actually quite large). The price seems steep, but it is worth EVERY PENNY. I burst into tears from the experience. If you are a panda lover, you must plan on spending at least a half day here. Even so, it will be hard to tear yourself away at the end of the visit.
Mar. 18,2009 19:56
Mr.Nick(Australai) replied:
best time is feeding time in the morning around 8:00 AM
26.
Mar. 17,2009 15:03 Reply
Ms.C.Drakes((uk)) said:
my dream is to see a panda in there most natural habitat, i would love to see them and get a few good piccies the only thing i am up against is that my mobilty is not to good and have trouble walking so for the poeple who have been what is the place like for walking around, i also have severe asthma and wounder if the climate is bad for those who suffer with breathing difficulties, i do hope these are just minor worrys as i would love to go to and see them or even get close to one so i can be in a picture with one,
Mar. 18,2009 09:52
Ms.Joan Carroll(USA) replied:
I hope I am not being too optimistic, but...I don't recall any great barriers that would limit, say, wheelchair access. There are some inclines that I recall, and some areas with steps. I think there was one flight of steps near the gift shop at the entrance, but there was alternate access from another area. There is fair bit of walking involved and I don't remember any motorized access. We were there last August, tourism was pretty slow so soon after the earthquake.
Mar. 18,2009 19:55
Mr.Nick(Australia) replied:
walking around the sanctuary is very easy as there are no hills and good pathways but it is a bit of a walk once you get around to all the enlcosures. They do have electric cars that can take you around for ease. You can also pay extra for a photo holding a juvenile panda. Definitely go.
27.
Mar. 4,2009 17:22 Reply
Mrs.Kung(USA) said:
I'm interested in hearing more from people who have held the pandas. Did you just show up at the Center or did you make arrangements ahead of time? If you just showed up, is there a danger that you would get all the way there and then not be able to do it? If you made arrangements ahead of time, how did you do that? How much did it cost, and did you think it was worth it? What exactly did you get to do? Did you feel like it was bad for the pandas (were they scared or unhappy)? Anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. We're trying to decide whether to go do this (we would be going to Chengdu just for this). The trip (from Beijing or Shanghai) would be very expensive (to get there and then to hold the pandas) but it seems like a once in a lifetime chance. Also, we have an almost 2 year old girl -- would they let her touch the pandas, and would they charge the same amount for her?
Also, several people have mentioned arriving at feeding time (and others say all the time is feeding time). I'd appreciate any advice in terms of the best time to be there so that we could make the most of the experience (best time if we want to hold the pandas and best time if we're not going to do that).
Thanks in advance for any and all info -- we're trying to to make the tough decision of whether to go or not! (It would be my husband, me, our daughter, and my father-on-law, who grew up in Shanghai)
Mar. 5,2009 03:28
Mr.Panda(China) replied:
Well, Mrs. Kung, I think you love pandas so much, you can visit this website:
http://www.panda.org.cn/english/index.htm
this is the official website of Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research, may be you will get some satisfactory answers.
Mar. 18,2009 10:01
Ms.Joan Carroll(USA) replied:
We were there in August, and tourism was pretty slow post-earthquake. I don't know what it would be like if tourism was going full tilt! However, we just showed up. They told us it would be a 1 y.o. baby panda and in my mind I was thinking the size of a human 1 y.o. I was not thinking! A 1 y.o. panda is HUGE! maybe 50 or more lbs! I just burst into tears at the sight. Anyway, they dress you in a paper hospital gown over your clothes and have you wear gloves. They sit you on a bench, and bring the panda over and sit it in your lap. Your photo-buddy can snap as many pictures as they can, or do a video, in the allotted time. It was a couple of minutes for each person. The handlers keep the panda busy with some honey-dipped bamboo pieces so the panda is quite peaceful and content. I don't know what they do with children, there weren't any in our group. It is DEFINITELY WORTH THE MONEY IF YOU LOVE PANDAS. I would do it again. We have some awesome photos of the pandas at the center, and a video of me bawling my eyes out holding the panda! We arrived there around 9 in the morning, and the pandas had just been fed, and were quite active. There is a panda area just near where you hold the pandas, where they were playing on swings, climbing trees, playing on some platforms, sliding down hillsides, etc. We could hardly tear ourselves away. It was the MOST AWESOME EXPERIENCE! If you are an animal lover, I definitely recommend it.
28.
Feb. 27,2009 01:24 Reply
Mr.Jan(Beijing) said:
Holding pandas makes them so nervous they often wet themselves. Pandas should be admired from afar, they're not cuddly toys!
29.
Jan. 31,2009 08:20 Reply
Ms.stefania santoro(italy) said:
I was in chengdu' for 10 days in april 2007 waiting for my visa renewal and I spent 2 entire days in the panda breeding centre, it's really worth going,they are so beautiful,but i suggest you to go when is not too hot otherwise the pandas won't come out.
30.
Jan. 15,2009 14:04 Reply
Mr.Patrick(USA) said:
I spent a day here this past December (2008). It was very nice...several primary school classes were there, so many of the kids tried-out their English on me. Most could only blurt out hello before running away giggling. They were as entertaining as the pandas. This place is time well spent...and all day long is feeding time for them. That's all they do (is eat).
Jan. 28,2009 20:52
Mrs.J. Suan(USA) replied:
Is the panda base like a zoo with all animals behimd fences or is it more like the San Diego Animal Park where you feel like you are in the wild? Thanks.