Panda Research Base

Get up close to adorable Giant Pandas and their young cubs at this specialist research base, close to Chengdu.

Visiting pandas in Chengdu is understandably high on the agenda for most visitors to China.

A short drive north of Chengdu, the renowned Panda Research Base is known to be the best place to observe giant pandas and their adorable young cubs at close quarters. The bears are spread out over a number of different enclosures, depending on their ages and gender, and these are thoughtfully designed to replicate the natural habitat of the panda as far as possible. During your visit you should expect crowds, particularly at the enclosures of the young cubs, but for those wanting guaranteed sightings of pandas in abundance, there is no better place.

The base is a well-respected research and breeding facility and is also home to some red pandas and black-neck swans. We visit during the morning to see the animals at their most active.

Browse our selection of tours below to plan your visit to Chengdu as part of a tailor-made China holiday, tailored to your interests.