Why You Must Come to China to See Pandas
Giant pandas, those adorable black-and-zwhite creatures, are truly one-of-a-kind in China. They hold the esteemed title of national treasure. With their round bodies, big black eyes, and slow, endearing movements, they have won the hearts of people around the globe. Not only are they a symbol of China, representing the nation's unique biodiversity, but they also play a crucial role in international diplomacy. Through "panda diplomacy," China has established closer ties with many countries. As a flagship species for global biodiversity conservation, pandas draw attention to the importance of protecting our planet's precious ecosystems. Now more and more foreign tourists are coming to China to experience the cuteness of giant pandas in person.
2-Day Panda Tour Itinerary
This sample itinerary is designed for first-time travelers and panda fans, with a focus on Chengdu and the famous panda bases.
Day 1 — Close Encounters at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Morning (7:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
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Arrival time: Arrive at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding early, ideally by 7:30–8:00 AM as pandas are most active in the morning.
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Opening hours: 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM), but mornings offer best activity.
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Duration: Spend around 3–4 hours in the base. Walking the full route takes approximately 5.5 hours, but most visitors focus on key exhibits in 3 hours.
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Must-see spots:
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Baby pandas in the nursery (especially July–September for cubs)
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大熊猫幼崽 Giant Panda Cubs[/caption]
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Adult giant pandas in various enclosures
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Red panda exhibit
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Panda Tower — open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (16:30 last entry, closed Tuesdays except holidays).
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Park shuttle: Consider using the electric sightseeing car (ticket ~30 RMB one-way) to save time; run every 15–30 mins on main loops.
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成都大熊猫繁育基地地图 The Map of Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding[/caption]
Lunch
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Dine at the Panda Base restaurant, with an average cost of 40-60 yuan per person. Several on-site cafés have panda-themed snacks, cakes, and drinks.
Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
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Complete your visit by exploring the panda science museum and education center.
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Visit People’s Park or Wenshu Monastery for local cultural immersion, tea houses, and city strolls.
Recommended Hotel for Night 1
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Niccolo Chengdu
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Location: Central Chengdu, close to shopping, dining, and transport.
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Highlights: Luxury comfort, international service, English-speaking staff, excellent breakfast, and easy access to Chunxi Road and IFS Mall for evening shopping.
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Price: From 1522 RMB (Now)
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Grand Hyatt Chengdu
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Location: Right by Chunxi Road, top amenities, popular with foreign travelers.
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Why: Convenient for night strolls, shopping for panda gifts, and relaxing after a full day.
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Price: From 999 RMB (Now)
Tip: Both hotels offer airport transfers and can assist with arranging next-morning transport to Dujiangyan.
Day 2 — Dujiangyan Panda Base & Panda Shopping Streets
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吃竹叶的大熊猫 A Giant Panda Eating Bamboo Leaves[/caption]
Morning (8:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
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Travel: Depart early to Dujiangyan Panda Base, approximately 1–1.5 hours from Chengdu by car or high-speed train.
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Volunteer program: Pre-book to participate in panda keeper activities, including feeding and caring for pandas (usually morning sessions).
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Base hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, last admission 4:00 PM. Spend around 3 hours here.
Lunch (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)
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Sample local Dujiangyan cuisine: try Sichuan hotpot or river fish dishes. (E.g. Xiongxuewang Restaurant, 50 RMB per person)
Afternoon (1:30 PM – 5:00 PM)
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Return to Chengdu and enjoy shopping for more panda gifts at:
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IFS Panda Art Mall: Designer and creative panda souvenirs.
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成都国际金融中心 Chengdu International Finance Square[/caption]
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Chunxi Road Panda Avenue: Multiple panda-themed shops and stalls; perfect for affordable, unique finds.
Recommended Hotel for Night 2
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The Temple House Chengdu
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Location: Taikoo Li district, city center.
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Highlights: Boutique luxury, fusion of heritage and modern style, eco-friendly, walking distance to the IFS panda sculpture and Chunxi Road.
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Why: A memorable, comfortable base with high service standards, great for after-dinner strolls among boutiques and panda installations.
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Price: From 2888 RMB (Now)
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Crowne Plaza Chengdu City Center
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Location: Near major shopping and eating areas.
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Why: International brand, reliable English support, value, and easy connections for onward travel or last-minute shopping.
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Price: From 549 RMB (Now)
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成都总府皇冠假日酒店 Crowne Plaza Chengdu City Center[/caption]
Ticket Prices & Opening Hours
Individual Attraction Prices
Location |
Adult Ticket Price |
Hours (Now) |
Gift Shopping |
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding |
CNY 55 |
7:30 AM–5:00 PM |
Multiple base shops |
Dujiangyan Panda Base |
CNY 58; ~CNY 700+ (Keeper Program) |
8:30 AM–5:00 PM |
Onsite souvenir shop |
IFS Panda Mall |
Free |
10:00 AM–10:00 PM |
Global designer panda gifts |
Chunxi Road Panda Shops |
Free |
10:00 AM–10:00 PM (typical) |
Many themed boutiques |
2-Day Tour Package Prices
(Includes hotels, transfers & base entry)
Package Tier |
Estimated Total Cost |
Coverage |
Budget |
~CNY 1,500/person |
Crowne Plaza + public transport + entry tickets |
Comfort |
~CNY 3,200/person |
Grand Hyatt + private transfers + Dujiangyan keeper program |
Luxury |
~CNY 5,000+/person |
Niccolo/The Temple House + VIP experiences + gourmet meals |
Note: Prices exclude flights/shopping. Add ~CNY 300–800 for souvenirs.
Want to know more about fares? Click here. (附超链接)
Real-name reservations are required for ticket purchase. Entry to the attraction is divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Foreign tourists must present their passports for verification before entering the park.
Transportation Guide for a Smooth Panda Tour
Efficient transportation will make your trip hassle-free.
International Arrival & City Transit
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Fly into Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport/Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, with many international connections.
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;插在:International-Arrival-City-Transit标题和内容之间.jpg)
成都天府国际机场 Chengdu Tianfu International Airport[/caption]
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Use taxis, Didi rideshare, or airport shuttle to downtown hotels.
To and From Panda Base
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Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding:
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From Shuangliu International Airport:
Taxi (~30–40 mins, ~100 RMB) or Metro Line 10 to Taipingyuan, transfer to Line 3 to Panda Avenue Station, then shuttle bus 408/409/655 to Panda Base.
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From Tianfu International Airport: Taxi (~50–60 mins, ~200 RMB) or Metro Line 1 to Century City, transfer to Line 3, then shuttle bus as above.
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From Chengdu East/North Railway Stations: Take the metro or local buses to Panda Avenue or Zoo Metro Stations, then bus 87 or 198 to the base.
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Dujiangyan Panda Base:
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Metro + Intercity Train + Taxi
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Take Chengdu Metro Line 2 to Xipu Station.
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Transfer to the intercity train to Lidui Park Station (about 30 minutes).
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From there, a short 10-minute taxi ride to the panda valley.
These routes are affordable, efficient, and widely used.
Key Tips & Notes
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一起生活的两只大熊猫 Two Giant Pandas Living Together[/caption]
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Reserve hotels in central Chengdu for best transfer and evening shopping convenience.
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Mornings are best for panda activity. Avoid midday due to panda naptime.
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Use official base gift shops for the widest, most authentic souvenir selections.
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Some luxury hotels offer panda-themed rooms or special gift packages—ask when booking.
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Always carry your passport, especially for hotel check-ins and purchasing train tickets.
This panda-focused travel plan combines seamless panda base visits with trusted hotel recommendations, so you’ll enjoy both the best wildlife encounters and convenient evenings with plenty of opportunities for panda-souvenir shopping in Chengdu. With this itinerary, your China panda tour will be comfortable, fascinating, and filled with uniquely Chinese memories.
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大熊猫 A Giant Panda[/caption]
Further Resources for Planning