A Day at Chengdu's Panda Base: The Ultimate Itinerary for Panda Lovers

When we talk about Chengdu, besides the spicy hot pot that's unforgettable, the giant panda, which represents the country's treasures, is definitely a must-see on my trip! I set aside a whole day to visit the super popular Chengdu Panda Base. To plan my route efficiently, I did a lot of research beforehand, and now I wanna share my experience with you all, hoping it helps those who want to see "Huan Huan" (the panda superstar)!

Panda Base Visiting Tips

Best Route for the Old Area

On the day of my visit, I entered through the South Gate of the Panda Base. As soon as the gates opened, people rush in, but if you have your route planned out, you can avoid the crowds. The key is, if you want to see Huan Huan, you gotta go early!

Once inside, I headed straight to Villa 6, where Huan Huan lives. I heard that she only moves around for a limited time in the morning, especially in summer, usually by nine o'clock, she's done for the day. So pace yourself! When you get to the villa, don’t hesitate, just get in line, and when it’s your turn, seeing her adorable self is truly heartwarming.

After visiting Huan Huan, there are plenty of other giant pandas living in this area, like the more playful red pandas. Next, I followed the plan and checked out the Sunshine Nursery, where the baby pandas on display are just too cute to handle! After finishing this area, I had covered all the main highlights in the old area. Then, I could head to the next stop.

Must-See Spots in the New Area

After finishing up in the old area, I recommend taking the shuttle from the observation car station next to the Sunshine Nursery to the new area to save some energy. The entrance to the new area is right next to it, and the layout is super innovative, clearly designed with care. Once I got there, I grabbed a quick lunch at the Panda Walking Street; there’s a decent amount of snacks and quick meals to choose from.

After refueling, I headed straight to the trendy new landmark — Panda Tower. This tower isn’t just an eye-catching structure; you can go to the top and get a panoramic view of the entire park. Especially on sunny days, every picture you take there turns out great. I probably spent about an hour there, capturing tons of content and enjoying the lush greenery from above.

Once I came down from Panda Tower, the main attractions in the new area are at Xinghan Hall and the Nursery Series, which includes the Star Nursery, Moon Viewing Pavilion, and Mountain Moon Pavilion. Unlike the old area, this place focuses more on showcasing the pandas' lives and habits through tech interactive experiences. It’s definitely a highlight for family visits.

After exploring this area, I exited the park through the nearby West Gate, which was convenient and avoided any backtracking.

Transportation Guide

When it comes to getting there, I found that Chengdu Panda Base has pretty good transportation options, especially with plenty of public transport and direct buses that cater to various needs.

• Public Transport:

  • Take Metro Line 3 to "Zoo" Station, Exit D, then transfer to Bus 655.
  • Take Metro Line 3 to "Panda Avenue" Station, Exit D, then transfer to Bus 408 or take a shuttle bus.

• Direct Buses:

  • There are fixed pickup points: Chengdu East Railway Station, Chunxi Road, Kuanzhai Alley, Wenshu Monastery, which is convenient for tourists.

• Driving:

  • If you're driving, I recommend parking at the South Gate. On holidays, parking can get pretty tight, so be prepared for that.

Useful Tips

1. Entering the Park Tips

• Buy your tickets online in advance. It gets crowded on weekends and holidays, and buying on-site can waste a lot of time.
• Don’t forget your ID; it makes entering super easy.

2. Luggage Storage and Service Center

• If you have a lot of luggage, it’s better to enter through the West Gate, as the service center in the new area is bigger and has better storage facilities, making it easy to head out after your visit.

3. Clothes and Essentials

• The panda base is large, so wear comfortable shoes. Make sure to protect yourself from the sun and bring an umbrella just in case.
• Personally, I suggest visiting when the weather is cooler; there are fewer people, you get a better experience, and it’s less likely you’ll overheat.

4. Avoiding Crowds

• If you're not in a rush to see Huan Huan, entering through the West Gate can help avoid the crowds when transitioning from the old area to the new area. After planning your route, exit via the South Gate to avoid backtracking.

In summary, the layout of the Panda Base is quite friendly for most visitors, and you can finish a day of sightseeing without feeling too tired. The key is definitely to get there early to catch Huan Huan; she’s absolutely worth the early wake-up call!