Except for downtown Chengdu, the nearby Dujiangyan also has two panda bases, and the most popular one is Dujiangyan Panda Base (another is Panda Valley). There are more than 40 pandas, with 20 + pandas open for visitors to see.
Dujiangyan Panda Base also offers Panda volunteer program not available at the Chengdu base. What's more, it's less crowded and only a 1.5-hour drive from Chengdu, making it a popular choice after Chengdu Panda Base.
How to Visit Dujiangyan Panda Base
For Just Visiting Pandas (Half Day Tour)
Typically, it takes 2-4hrs to visit the whole park. The pandas are mainly spread across three large zones, with one smaller red panda area as well. Each zone is about a 5–10-minute walk apart, and shuttle buses are available within the park.
If you want to see the panda mother taking care of her baby, you could visit the Panpan Garden, the first zone right at the entrance. There, you could see them eating bamboo, climbing trees, etc.
Panda Yiran and her cubs in Panpan GardenIn the second zone, Shuangnan Garden, you would not only see giant pandas, but also spot red pandas and black bears in the nearby Linze Garden. When visiting this zone, you would need some uphill walking.
The third zone, Diequan Garden, is the most popular area. There are also the most pandas, and it holds Panda Lele, a lovely and active Singapore overseas returnee. It is the furthest from the entrance. If you don't want to walk, you can choose to come by a shuttle bus instead.
Panda Lele in Diequan Garden, Dujiangyan Panda BaseMost people take the shuttle to Diequan Garden first and then make their way back. If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend starting from Panpan Garden and exploring in this order:
Panpan Garden → Linze Garden (red panda area) → Diequan Garden → Shuangnan Garden
How to Plan a Day Trip with Dujiangyan Panda Base
It takes only half a day to visit the panda base if you just visit the pandas, so you can explore nearby attractions for the rest of the day.
You can go to the Guanxian Ancient Town for a food tour, visit Dujiangyan Irrigation System, and see the "blue tear" at night. Or if you're not interested in the ancient town, you can replace it with Yangtianwo Square and Zhongshuge Bookstore, two popular photo spots on social media.
Or you could also choose to visit Mount Qingcheng to enjoy the tranquil Taoist atmosphere, lush green forests, and scenic hiking trails. See our 1-day Kung Fu Panda tour
Take Part in a Panda Volunteer Program
Dujiangyan Panda Base offers volunteer programs. During the program, participants work with Chinese panda staff to take care of the pandas. You'll also have the opportunity to get closer contact with the cute giant pandas, and understand their panda wilderness training program.
- 7:00 am: Our guide and driver pick you up from your hotel in Chengdu.
- 8:00 am-11:30 am: Arrive at Dujiangyan Base and begin your tour. You will learn more about the pandas, and help take care of them. The activities may include breaking bamboo and washing some bamboo shoots, cleaning the glass of their enclosures, and touring around the panda base.
- 11:30 am-1:30pm: Lunch at the canteen of Dujiangyan Base. And then watch a panda movie that lasts for about 40 minutes.
- 1:30 pm-2:00 pm: Continue the program in the afternoon. Make panda cakes and cut bamboo leaves.
- 2:00 pm-2:30 pm: The panda keeper program finishes. You will receive a panda keeper certificate. Transfer back to your hotel in Chengdu.
- You will return to Chengdu City at 5pm
Things to Know for a Visit：
- The area is hilly with many steps, so it's not very wheelchair-friendly.
- Stone fences are quite high, so you may need to hold your kids to see the pandas if he/she is under 1.2m.
- Dujiangyan is about 1.5 hours by car, or around 3 hours via metro + bus from Chengdu.
- No need to stay overnight unless you plan to visit other nearby spots like the Dujiangyan Irrigation System or Mt. Qingcheng.
- For meals, you can eat at the panda base canteen, nearby farmhouses, or in Dujiangyan city center.
When is the Best Time to See Dujiangyan Panda Base
On regular weekdays, the base isn't too crowded, and you can usually find a good spot to watch and take photos. That said, there are often student and tour groups around, so it can get a bit noisy at times. But overall, weekdays are less crowded than weekends.
The best time to see the pandas is between 8am and 10am. It's their feeding time, and the cooler morning weather keeps them active and playful.
How to Decide on Dujiangyan Panda Base among All the Panda Bases
Besides Dujiangyan Panda Base, you can also head to other popular bases to see pandas or join panda volunteer programs, such as Chengdu Panda Base, Panda Valley, or Wolong Panda Base. Each offers a different kind of experience. Here's how to choose the one that suits you best:
If you just want to see pandas easily, choose Chengdu Panda Base
Chengdu Panda Base is the closest to the city center, and you can see the largest number of pandas of all ages, especially the cubs. However, it's also the most crowded.
Recommended Tours with Chengdu Panda Base:
Chengdu Panda BaseFor Panda Volunteer Program, student groups, fewer walks or fewer crowds, head to Dujiangyan Panda Base
It's less crowded than Chengdu Panda Base, and the closest volunteer-friendly base to Chengdu. Also, it has experience in receiving group tours.
Recommended Tours with Dujiangyan Panda Base:
Dujiangyan Panda BaseFor close-up panda views, or if you travel with kids or the elderly, visit Panda Valley
It's located near Dujiangyan Panda Base, but quieter and flatter with shaded walkways. The pandas are also very close to visitors with glass enclosures, best for both kids and adults to see, and you can easily get close-up and clear photos.
Recommended Tours with Panda Valley:
Panda Valley, an indoor visiting area with glassIf you want to escape the crowds and see baby pandas in a more natural environment, Wolong Panda Base is best for you
Except for popular holidays, it's usually quieter with fewer visitors. You'll also see many baby pandas from 6 months to 1 year old here.
The panda volunteer program is also available here. And with us, you'll even get to plant bamboo with local farmers, a unique experience not offered at Dujiangyan. See our 1-Day Wolong Panda Volunteer Program.
Wolong Panda BaseFarmhouse Visit and Bamboo Planting