Chengdu Panda Base

Nature · 四川省 · 大熊猫繁育研究基地

Chengdu Panda Base

Chengdu

Chengdu Panda Base · ChinaMazing

Discover

Core Sights

The essential sights — what they are, and when to go.

Moonlight Nursery

Sight 1

Moonlight Nursery

月亮产房

Moonlight Nursery. The Moonlight Nursery is a dedicated facility within the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding that specializes in caring for newborn giant panda cubs. With its tranquil environment and nature-inspired design, it aims to provide a warm and safe space for the youngest pandas to grow. Visitors can observe through glass windows as mother pandas sleep, nurse, or play with their cubs, and with a bit of luck, catch a glimpse of the irresistibly adorable expressions of cubs that have just reached one month old. This is an excellent window into the world of giant panda breeding and cub-rearing, and one of the most popular attractions at the base, so it's recommended to plan your visit accordingly.

Sunshine Nursery

Sight 2

Sunshine Nursery

太阳产房

Sun Nursery. The Sun Nursery is one of the most popular facilities at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, dedicated to caring for newborn panda cubs. Visitors can observe the cubs' daily routine in their incubators through floor-to-ceiling glass windows, or watch heartwarming moments as they interact with their mothers. The facility uses simulated natural lighting and environmental design to provide a warm and comfortable space for the cubs to grow. Spring through early summer is the peak birthing season, and if you're lucky, you might even spot cubs that have just turned one month old. Please keep quiet during your visit and refrain from using flash photography, so we can all help protect these precious lives.

Panda Kitchen

Sight 3

Panda Kitchen

熊猫厨房

Panda Kitchen. The Panda Kitchen is a star attraction at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, where visitors can watch through glass windows as keepers prepare meals for the "national treasure" up close. From hand-selecting fresh bamboo and bamboo shoots to making nutritious cornbread by hand, every step reflects a scientific approach to panda care. You will also learn about the giant panda's unique digestive system—though they belong to the order Carnivora, their diet is predominantly vegetarian. There are no performances here, only the most authentic daily conservation work, making it an exceptional window into understanding giant panda protection efforts.

Juvenile Giant Panda Villa

Sight 4

Juvenile Giant Panda Villa

幼年大熊猫别墅

**Sub-Adult Panda Enclosure** The Sub-Adult Panda Enclosure is one of the most popular exhibits at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to panda cubs aged between one and three years. These lively youngsters are full of energy—they often climb trees, roll around playfully, or chase each other across the lawns, displaying a mischievous nature that contrasts sharply with adult giant pandas. Visitors can observe the cubs' daily lives up close and delight in their endearingly clumsy charm. The enclosure mimics a wild environment, featuring climbing structures, pools, and bamboo groves, providing ample space for the cubs to explore and play. It is recommended to visit in the early morning or afternoon, when the cubs are at their most active. Please maintain quiet, and refrain from feeding or disturbing them.

Red Panda Enclosure

Sight 5

Red Panda Enclosure

小熊猫活动场

Red Panda Activity Area. The Red Panda Activity Area is a highly popular exhibit within the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to dozens of endearingly adorable red pandas. Unlike the giant pandas, the national treasure, red pandas boast reddish-brown fur and fluffy, oversized tails, often seen climbing through the trees and foraging with agile, charming movements. Visitors can follow the pathways to observe their daily habits up close, watching them leisurely munch on bamboo leaves or frolic and play. The exhibit replicates their natural habitat with lush greenery, making it a delightful destination year-round and an excellent window into understanding this rare species.

Adult Giant Panda Villa

Sight 6

Adult Giant Panda Villa

成年大熊猫别墅

Adult Giant Panda Villa. The Adult Giant Panda Villa is an excellent spot within the Chengdu Panda Base for viewing adult giant pandas. It simulates a wild habitat, with spacious yards and lush bamboo groves providing comfortable activity spaces for the pandas. Visitors can observe their daily routines of feeding, climbing, dozing, or playing. The villa area is designed with visitors' views in mind, allowing close-up encounters with the charming and endearing national treasure, making it an ideal place to learn about the behavioral habits of giant pandas.

Giant Panda Museum

Sight 7

Giant Panda Museum

熊猫博物馆

The Panda Museum is a must-visit destination for gaining an in-depth understanding of giant pandas. Inside, precious fossil specimens clearly illustrate the evolutionary journey of giant pandas over millions of years. Through vivid ecological scenes and interactive installations, visitors can learn firsthand about their diet, reproduction, and habitat conservation. The museum also shares the conservation story of pandas transitioning from endangered to vulnerable, as well as China's efforts in captive breeding and wild release programs. Ideal for family visits, it is a perfect place for learning through entertainment and experiencing the significance of nature conservation.

Eat

Local Eats

The local dishes worth crossing town for.

Hot Pot
Eat 1

Hot Pot

火锅

Hotpot. Hotpot is Chengdu's most iconic cuisine and an excellent way for overseas visitors to experience the local culture. Its hallmark lies in a mouth-numbingly spicy and fragrant broth, paired with a variety of ingredients such as beef tripe, aorta, and duck intestines, all cooked and enjoyed at the table in a lively, bustling atmosphere. Chengdu-style hotpot is known for its "nine-grid" partitioned pot, where ingredients are cooked in different sections to achieve their optimal texture at varying heat levels. After visiting the Giant Panda Base, heading into the city to find an old-established hotpot restaurant and savoring the authentic numbing and spicy flavors is a classic itinerary for many travelers. Note that the spice level can be adjusted to personal preference, and it's customary to dip the food in a sesame oil and minced garlic sauce to temper the heat. Hotpot is more than just a meal—it's a social experience, best enjoyed when shared with friends.

Dan Dan Noodles
Eat 2

Dan Dan Noodles

担担面

Dan Dan Noodles. Dan Dan Noodles is a classic street snack originating from Chengdu, Sichuan, named after the shoulder pole vendors who peddled it in the early days. The noodles are chewy, topped with minced pork, crushed peanuts, and chopped scallions, then dressed with a secret chili oil and Sichuan pepper paste, delivering a numbing, spicy, savory, and aromatic flavor with rich layers. After exploring the Panda Base, a bowl of authentic Dan Dan Noodles lets you experience the essence of Sichuan cuisine while immersing yourself in the local food culture. It's recommended to toss the noodles well before eating, ensuring every strand is fully coated with the sauce.

Mapo Tofu
Eat 3

Mapo Tofu

麻婆豆腐

Mapo Tofu. Near the Chengdu Panda Base, Mapo Tofu is a classic Sichuan dish you simply must try. Silky soft tofu is simmered with minced beef and seasoned with doubanjiang (fermented broad bean chili paste) and Sichuan peppercorns, delivering a fiery, numbing, and aromatic experience that arrives at the table piping hot. Its uniqueness lies in the "eight-character formula": numbing, spicy, scalding, fragrant, crispy, tender, fresh, and lively — every bite is a layering of sensations. This dish stands as a testament to Sichuan cuisine's pursuit of flavor balance, and it's also an ideal entry point for first-timers — you can opt for a milder version and savor the tingling numbness of Sichuan peppercorns harmonizing with the delicate texture of the tofu. Pair it with a bowl of steamed rice to enjoy the humble yet hearty flavors of everyday Chengdu living.

Long Chao Shou
Eat 4

Long Chao Shou

龙抄手

Long Chao Shou (Dragon Wonton). This classic Chengdu snack can be enjoyed right near the Panda Base. Similar to wonton, it features wrappers as thin as paper and a silky, tender filling, with a broth slowly simmered from chicken, duck, and pork bones for a clear yet richly savory taste. It comes in various styles: the red-oil version is spicy and aromatic, while the original broth highlights the pure flavors of the ingredients. A bowl of Long Chao Shou, paired with a few Sichuan-style side dishes, makes for a convenient taste of Chengdu's street food scene. After exploring the Panda Base, stop by for a bowl to savor the everyday flavors locals love.

Fuqi Feipian
Eat 5

Fuqi Feipian

夫妻肺片

"Fuqi Feipian" (Husband and Wife Lung Slices) is a classic dish of Chengdu cuisine. The "Feipian" in its name is a homophone for "waste slices," originally referring to a cold dish made from offcuts of beef offal such as beef, tripe, and tongue. The finished dish features thin, evenly sliced pieces, dressed with chili oil, Sichuan peppercorns, sesame seeds, and other seasonings, delivering a numbing, spicy, and savory flavor with a rich texture. This dish originated on the streets of Chengdu in the last century, created by a husband-and-wife duo. Today, it has become a signature Sichuan dish beloved by diners.

Chuan Chuan Xiang
Eat 6

Chuan Chuan Xiang

串串香

Chuan Chuan Xiang (Skewered Hotpot). Chuan Chuan Xiang is a classic street snack found in every corner of Chengdu, essentially hotpot served on skewers. A variety of ingredients—from beef and tripe to potato and lotus root slices—are threaded onto bamboo sticks, briefly swirled in a bubbling spicy broth, then dipped in either a dry seasoning blend or an oil-based sauce. Each bite delivers a fiery, numbing, savory kick, and you can polish off skewer after skewer to your heart's content. Unlike the more formal affair of hotpot, Chuan Chuan Xiang is refreshingly casual and laid-back. You pay by the skewer, so you can eat as much or as little as your appetite and budget allow—making it the perfect way to soak up Chengdu's lively street atmosphere and everyday local life. After visiting the Panda Base, why not drop by one of the nearby Chuan Chuan shops nearby and join the locals in their fiery, passionate celebration of spice?