Chengdu Panda Tour

Sichuan Panda Travel Tips & FAQs

1. Where can I see Giant Pandas in Sichuan?

Sichuan is known as "the Hometown of Giant Pandas". Nowadays, there are 3 places for breeding pandas:

1) Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Base ( Xiongmao Jidi ), which is famous in the world. It is located about 10km out of Chengdu downtown. Meanwhile, it really is conservation education center, and international educational tourism destination.

2) Bifengxia Giant Panda Breeding Centre, about 2 hours' driving from Chengdu. With good quality water and air, Bifengxia is a satisfactory place for the growth of Panda.

3) Wolong National Nature Reserve (closed now), which is the earliest, largest and best-know panda reserve in China.

2. What do giant pandas eat?

In the base and centre, giant pandas eat bamboo, sugar cane, rice gruel, a special high-fiber biscuit, carrots, apples, and sweet potatoes.

3. How do pandas live?

Pandas love cool and we areas and do not hibernate. In the nature, they are solitary, and choose to live alone, also in the base and center. They like water and usually choose to live nearby the streams.

4. When is best time to visit the pandas?

The pandas have fixed schedule for eating, playing and sleeping. Early in the morning before 9 o'clock is the time when panda come out to eat. During 10:30 - 11:00, they usually play, climb tree, etc. So, it is highly recommended to visit the pandas during their eating time and play time.

The schedule:
02:00 - 07:40 breakfast
07:40 - 10:30 morning rest
10:30 - 11:00 play time
11:00 - 12:00 lunch
12:00 - 14:30 noon rest
14:30 - 21:00 supper
21:00 - 02:00 night sleep

5. Are the Giant Pandas dangerous?

Normally, Giant Pandas are peaceful animals, and not aggressive towards humans. But they may attack humans if they are provoked, frightened or when a mother is protecting her cub, because of their wild nature and big size ( up to 150km ). Of course, the baby pandas don't have dangers for you.

When visiting the pandas, your guide will instruct any risk of distress when getting close to the pandas. Please remember that the pandas lives in captivity does not mean that they are tame.

6. What should I know when visiting or taking care of the Pandas?

Do not make any noises or sudden big movements that might disturb the pandas.
Do not use a flash to take photo of the panadas.
Do not touch the adult pandas or let them touch you.
Do not throw food to the pandas, which might affect the panda's eating habit and cause them to become sick.
Touch pandas' ears will make them aggressive.
Please follow the panda keeper's instructions when hold or take care of pandas.

7. What volunteer program can I participate in?

When travel with Bifengxia panda volunteer tour, you can join in the volunteer work for the pandas, such as clean up their houses, prepare their meals, feed them by yourselves, observe their daily life, take photos with them and hold them in your arms.