Giant Panda FAQs & Travel Tips

1. Where can I see giant pandas in China?

Sichuan is well known as the “Hometown of Giant Pandas”. So, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Dujiangyan Panda Base, Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base and Wolong Panda Reserve are the best places to see the panda bears. Besides these three panda bases, China Discovery has collected other places to see Giant pandas. There are:

• Beijing Zoo, Beijing
• Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai
• Chongqing Zoo, Chongqing
• Seven-Star Park Zoo, Guilin
• Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan
• Ocean Park, Hong Kong
• Macau Giant Panda Pavilion, Macau

2. Are giant pandas dangerous?

Giant pandas are normally peaceful animals and bamboo-eaters. They are not aggressive towards humans, but will attack if they are provoked, frightened or when a mother is protecting her cub. You have to remember, just because a panda lives in captivity does not mean that they're tame. They are still wild animals and can be dangerous.

When visiting the pandas, please follow your tour guide or panda masters/keepers instructions.

3. What do the pandas eat?

They usually eat bamboo. Besides bamboo, captive giant pandas’ food also includes milk, eggs, vitamins, apples and maize bread.

4. What are the best hours to see captive giant pandas?

It is highly recommended to visit the pandas during their meal time and play time. Early in the morning before 9 o’clock is a very suitable time, when pandas come out to eat. And during 10:30-11:00, they usually play, climb tree…

5. Are there any volunteer programs for visitors to take care of pandas?

Yes, at present Dujiangyan Panda Base, Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base and Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base have volunteer programs. While join in panda programs, you could help take care of these cuddly creatures: clean up their houses, prepare their meals, observe their daily life, take photos...

For detailed information, please check the Dujiangyan Giant Panda Volunteer Programs and Wolong Panda Volunteer Program.

6. What should I know while visiting or taking care of panda bears?

The following should be kept in mind as you enjoy the unique experience of spending some "up close and personal time" with the pandas:

• Please keep quiet. Do not disturb wild animals with loud noises.
• You may take pictures, but you are not allowed to use a flash.
• Please do not approach or throw food to the pandas, unless the panda keeper tells you to do so. Otherwise it might disturb the panda’s eating regime and cause them to become sick.
• Follow the panda keeper’s instructions. Please do not touch the adult pandas or let them touch you.
• ......

7. How to adopt a panda?

If you want to adopt a panda, you could have a face-to-face consultation at the panda service center in Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Wolong or Ya’an.

8. As a traveler, how to save the endangered pandas?

As a normal traveler, on one hand, you could join the panda volunteer program to perform some volunteer duties such as clean up the pandas’ enclosures, observe their daily life etc.

Moreover, you can join in the outdoor hiking research program at panda’s wild training area in Wolong to know how to do the panda research and have a better understanding of protecting their habitats and keep balance of the nature.