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Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base

The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is located on Futoushan Mountain in the northern suburbs of the city of Chengdu in Sichuan province. It is about 10 km away from downtown Chengdu, and it can be reached in about 35 minutes by taxi. The Giant Panda Museum is located at the base, and it is the world’s only museum that focuses entirely on the critically endangered giant panda. The museum’s collection includes displays of panda habitat and of pictures of pandas, and there are many scientific displays that give visitors a comprehensive education on their characteristics, habitat and distribution in the wild, and China’s conservation and breeding efforts. The museum also exhibits books and scientific literature that authors around the world have written about giant pandas throughout history.

Also Read top places to see giant pandas in China.

The Giant Panda Museum houses giant panda specimens, fossils and dissected pandas. Specimens of panda food is displayed, and the museum also houses many large true-to-life exhibits of giant pandas in their natural environment in ancient times and in their present endangered wild habitats in Qin Ling, Liangshan Mountain, Xiang Ling, Min Shan and Qiulai Mountain. These true-to-life exhibits cover an area of about 300 square meters. The museum educates visitors on their evolutionary history, their ancient and present distribution in the wild, and their current situation as an endangered species, as well as on the present purpose and focus of scientific research. Visitors will see that the Chinese government is making a concerted effort both to protect this endangered animal and its habitat and to promote public awareness and appreciation of this animal that is beloved by people all over the world.

The best time to visit is in the morning, during feeding time between 8:30 and 10:00. After then, it's likely that the bears will be indulging in their favorite pastime. Sleeping!

The Research Center also offers volunteer programs where participants can learn more about giant pandas and help take care of them. See more informtation of giant panda volunteer program.

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Hi, I'm Lynn Ye
I updated this article on April 16, 2013
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Q: Mark Asked on 2012-11-26 Reply

hello .. if i am staying at crowne plaza is there transport to the Panda Sanctuary?

We're happy to arrange a half-day panda breeding center tour for you. The cost is around USD50 per person for a group of 6 people including the transfers from the hotel to the breeding center. The tour lasts 4 hours. Ruby Zhao Replied on 2012-11-26

Q: Ziaul Hoque Asked on 2012-09-17 Reply

Is it possible to have a close look of panda and have a photo there in the evening?

Ziaul, Chengdu Panda Breeding and Researching Center will open during 08:30-17:00. As Pandas would stay at their dormitories for rest after breakfast, so usually the best visiting time is 08:30-:11:00. Visitors could hold Panda to take photo, the price is from CNY1300 per person (2 minutes with 2-4 photoes).

Karen

Karen Yang Replied on 2012-09-18

Q: Ee Siew Asked on 2012-09-16 Reply

Hi, we plan to be in Chengdu from 27 Oct to 3 Nov. I would like to get close to the pandas through the volunteer program. Can you share with us what is the difference between volunteering in Bifengxia and Giant Panda Breeding Research Base (Wolong)? Would be great if the place has something for my parents to do. They are in their 60s & 70s.

Hi Ee, Bifengxia Base is the main branch of the Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Wolong Base was badly destroyed by the Earthquake occured on May.12, 2008. After its reconstruction, Bifengxia Base will be removed back to Wolong. Right now, there is no volunteering program in Wolong.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-09-18

Thanks for your feedback Is Wolong Panda base have any baby Panda there? guest Replied on 2012-10-02

Q: Karen Wright Asked on 2012-09-15 Reply

Goodmorning, I am planning to visit Chengdu with my family and we want to go and see the Panda''s at the breeding and research centre, after flying we have 2 free days on 24th and 25th October, my daughter also wants to hold a panda, can you organise a two day itinery of interesting places and also the pandas for us, I have booked my hotel and flights but thought we should get a proper company to help us explor Chengdu.

Hi Karen Wright

Thank you for visiting our website.

The Panda Breeding and Research Center has a donation program which allows you take pictures with holding a panda by donating RMB 1300 Yuan (for reference only). This program is subject to the availability of pandas on that day. Please bring enough RMB cash as payment by credit card is not accepted there.

I also send you an email with 2 days Chengdu tour including the Panda Central. Please check it when you are free. If you have any other requirements, please feel free to tell me.

Christy Luo Replied on 2012-09-17

Q: Zoe Asked on 2012-09-04 Reply

Is the panda breeding center open every day? I don''t want to book a plane ticket for a weekend when the center is not open. Also, if I want to hold the baby pandas or red pandas, do I book that in advance?

Hi Zoe, yes, it is open every day. You don't have to book in advance if you would like to hold the baby panda. You can buy the ticket after you get there. Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-09-05