China is the only place in the world where you can see giant pandas in their natural environment. To experience this exceptional moment, head for Sichuan, which boasts some of the most famous and popular sites for observing this legendary animal. Here are our top 5 places to meet this legendary animal!
1. The Giant Panda Research Center in Chengdu
To find the best place to see giant pandas, you can head for Chengdu, in Sichuan, in the heart of the country. Chengdu is the Chinese capital of this curious mammal. Here, everything is "pandaized": from cabs to restaurants, not to mention the various souvenirs. Pandas are the pride of the city, so they're everywhere. The Chengdu Giant Panda Research Center is an institution located some ten kilometers north of the city. Now a popular tourist attraction, it has been completely refurbished to accommodate a large influx of tourists without losing any of its charm. Walking through the bamboo forest and spotting pandas here and there is a real pleasure. We appreciate the signs warning us not to frighten the animals, the Chinese guides equipped with megaphones and the unique atmosphere of the place. Far from being frozen in time, the site is at the cutting edge of technology, with an artificial insemination laboratory and an incubator dedicated to newborns. It's best to go in the morning to observe these adorable sloths, who, let's not forget, survive more by our will than by theirs... A fascinating experience. A visit that will amaze young and old alike!
2. Where to see pandas in China? Beijing Zoo
We leave Sichuan for a stopover in Beijing. Created in 1906 in a former Qing imperial park on the orders of Empress Cixi, who had 700 animals imported from Germany, Beijing Zoo is one of the first modern zoos on the entire Asian continent. Initially opened to the public in 1908 on a surface area of ten hectares, it has gradually expanded to cover almost fifty hectares today. The zoo is home to over 500 species, or almost 6,000 animals, including an impressive selection of rare species from various regions of China: Tibetan yaks, tigers, bears, sea turtles, large birds of prey and, of course, the inevitable giant panda. The gradual disappearance of bamboo forests is threatening their survival in the wild, and breeding them, especially in captivity, remains a challenge. A visit to Beijing Zoo is therefore a unique opportunity to discover this incredible species. They are, of course, the stars of the zoo!
3. Bifengxia Giant Panda Reserve
While the Giant Panda Research Center in Chengdu, the Bifengxia Reserve, also in the Sichuan region, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to visit on a trip to China, offering the chance to observe them in a significantly different, much more "natural" context, since here our big black and white beasts evolve in semi-liberty. This reserve allows them to reproduce, before sometimes being released to repopulate the mountains of western China. At Bifengxia, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about the pandas' way of life, prepare their food and feed them, clean their enclosures and other areas of the reserve, take part in their care, help plant bamboo, and get up close and personal with the young mammals. To top it all off, a visit to Bifengxia's giant pandas is also an opportunity to enjoy a superb spot in the heart of Sichuan's verdant mountains, and to take a hike to discover the gorges and beautiful panoramic views. Autumn, with little rain and very pleasant temperatures, is the best time to visit Bifengxia. An unforgettable experience!
Petit Futé tip: Take advantage of a discount by booking your travel insurancehere , and leave with peace of mind! Don't forget to apply for your visa right here to prepare for your trip.
4. Where to see pandas in China? Wolong Nature Reserve
Around 170 kilometers and a 2h30 drive from Chengdu, the Wolong Nature Reserve is considered in the region to be the true home of wild pandas. It was founded in 1963 and became a Unesco "World Biosphere Reserve" in 1979. With its Giant Panda Research Center, Wolong Nature Reserve is one of the most famous sanctuaries for the famous animal. But this vast natural area of 700,000 hectares is not limited to this fascinating mammal on the brink of extinction. It also boasts an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. In addition to the Giant Panda Reserve, the site is home to several globally endangered species, such as the Lesser Panda and the Snow Leopard. Botanically, it is also one of the world's richest ecosystems, making Wolong a veritable treasure trove of biodiversity. You can then head off to the north of the province to discover Huanglong National Park, the famous Yellow Dragon Valley and its landscape that seems to come from another world, and try to catch a glimpse of the park's few giant pandas in the wild.
Read also: 5 must-see unusual destinations in China
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5. Dujiangyan Giant Panda Base
Alongside Wolong and Bifengxia, the Dujiangyan Giant Panda Base, opened in 2013, is the third center for the protection of the black-and-white mammal. While feeding and reproduction are at the heart of the concerns of the first two, at Dujiangyan the emphasis is on care and any illnesses the giant pandas might contract, thanks in particular to a medical laboratory and a hospital for the animals. Located in the village of Shiqiao, not far from Dujiangyan, this 50-hectare reserve boasts a large bamboo forest and a number of hiking trails for a unique stroll. The center also offers visitors the chance to volunteer for a day to look after the pandas, allowing them to get up close and personal (without touching them, of course).
Tip from Petit Futé: go early in the morning, because after lunch it's siesta time!
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