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.
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.
Hi Asha Dozithee, thank you for your inquiry. I understand you are interested in the volunteer program with the pandas. The volunteer program is in Chengdu, a different city from Shanghai. You will need to take a flight from Shanghai to Chengdu and it takes over 3 hours each way. If you only have a half day, the time won''t be enough for the program. If possible, it''s suggested you spare at least two days for the program. Please feel free to contact me at nora@chinahighlights. net if you would like to book the tour.
Wish you a wonderful day!
Dear Amanda,
In general, we suggest our clients book a tour 5 days before the tour starts, so that we have enough time to arrange a tour for you.
The Panda Breeding and Research Center has a donation program which allows you take pictures with holding an adult panda by donating RMB500 or holding a baby panda by donating RMB1000. This program is subject to the availability of pandas on that day. Please bring RMB cash as they don't accept credit cards.
I will designe a half-day tour for you, please check your e-mail. If you have any questions or would like to revise the itinerary, please don't hesitate to let me know. My e-mail address is lussie@chinahighlights.com
Hi Lai,
Glad to answer your queries as below,
1. How much is the entrance fee for adults & kids? For kids, what age to pay?
---The entrance fee is CNY58 per adult and free of charge for kids who are under 1.2 meters. Age doesn't matter but height matters.
2. What is the duration taken to visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base, say I reached at 8.30am, by when I can finish?
---Ususally 2-3 hours would be good, but if you are with children, they may wish to see other animals and the film, which would take up more time. Morning would be the right time to see pandas, they are more active during that time.
3. What is the operating hours?
It is open from 8AM to 6PM.
It takes about half an hour to go from city center to the spot, a taxi is always easier to get there, however taxis are hard to wait after the visit. No good local restaurants are close to the spot, you may want to bring some water and snacks with you.
If you wish to take a private tour instead, let me know and I will be glad to help.
- Chengdu Panda Tour from US$ 807
- Exploring Chengdu to Dujiangyan Irrigation Project with Pandas and Temples Tour from US$ 574
- Scenic Tour to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong from US$ 2658
- Panda Keeper Program and Chengdu Highlights Tour from US$ 697
- Chengdu Memories Tour from US$ 1389
