Best Place to see Pandas

Highlights:

Private day tour in Chengdu
Visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base
Spot Red Pandas
Enjoy lunch of traditional Sichuan hotpot
Relax in a typical Sichuan tea house
Visit the gardens at the home of a celebrated ancient poet

Overview:

Full-day private excursion to see the pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base.

Description:

The Best Place to See Pandas in China

Pick up from your Chengdu hotel and drive 6 miles out of town to the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base, timing your visit to coincide with breakfast when they are feeding and climbing. Nearly 30 of these famously rare animals have been bred and raised here since it was established 20 years ago, and as well as sending pandas to zoos around the world, the aim of the base is to start returning them to the wild. You can see up to around 20 pandas here, living in open pens in woodland as a preparation for life after release, but usually only the youngsters show much signs of animation. You can actually touch and handle them under supervision (at extra cost). Also at the base are as many red pandas, as well as black-necked cranes and white herons. Return to the city centre for a lunch of traditional Sichuan hotpot, then visit the gardens at the home of a celebrated ancient poet who wrote over 240 poems which are still admired today. His cottage is long gone but there is a large exhibition hall and beautiful gardens commemorating his work. Round off your day in one of Chengdu’s pleasant parks to relax in a typical Sichuan tea house for refreshment and a spot of the famous Sichuan opera, a burlesque performance which sometimes includes fire spitting and magicians!