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Panda Base, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, located in Sichuan Province, China, is a world-renowned conservation facility dedicated to the protection and propagation of the endangered giant panda.

Established in 1987 with just six rescued pandas, the base has grown into a sprawling sanctuary that combines scientific research, breeding programs, and public education. Its mission is not only to increase the panda population through captive breeding but also to study panda behavior, genetics, and habitat needs to support long-term conservation efforts.

The facility is designed to mimic the natural environment of pandas, offering lush bamboo forests, serene ponds, and specialized enclosures that promote physical and psychological well-being. Visitors can observe pandas of all ages—from playful cubs to serene adults—as well as other rare species like red pandas and black-necked cranes. The base also houses a panda nursery, where newborns are carefully monitored and nurtured, and a museum that educates the public about panda biology, conservation challenges, and the broader ecological significance of protecting biodiversity.

Beyond its role as a tourist attraction, the Chengdu Panda Base is a hub for international collaboration in wildlife conservation. It partners with global institutions to share research, improve breeding techniques, and reintroduce pandas into protected wild habitats. Its success has made it a symbol of China’s commitment to environmental stewardship and a beacon of hope for endangered species worldwide. Through its blend of science, care, and public engagement, the base continues to inspire both awe and action in the global effort to preserve the planet’s most beloved bear.

Entering Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Panda Base Panoramic Guide Map
Plan Legend:

  1. Panda Creek Valley
    1. Mountain Moon Giant Panda Pavilion
    2. Cloud Moon Giant Panda Pavilion
    3. Autumn Moon Giant Panda Pavilion
    4. Full Moon Giant Panda Pavilion
    5. Bright Moon Giant Panda Pavilion
    6. River Moon Giant Panda Pavilion
    7. Embracing Moon Giant Panda Pavilion
  2. Panda Forest Area
    1. Star Rain Giant Panda Pavilion
    2. Star Cloud Giant Panda Pavilion
    3. Starlight Giant Panda Pavilion
    4. Star Giant Panda Nursery House
    5. Starry Sky Giant Panda Pavilion
  3. Panda Reception Hall
    1. Reflecting Sun Giant Panda Pavilion
    2. Rising Sun Giant Panda Pavilion
    3. Cloud Sun Giant Panda Pavilion
    4. Panda Panoramic Restaurant
    5. Spring Sun Giant Panda Pavilion
  4. Panda Villa Area
    1. No.1 Giant Panda Villa
    2. No.2 Giant Panda Villa
    3. No.2 Enclosure for Red Pandas
    4. Sun Giant Panda Nursery House
    5. No.6 Giant Panda Villa
    6. No.1 Enclosure for Red Pandas
    7. No.7 Giant Panda Villa
    8. No.5 Giant Panda Villa
    9. No.4 Giant Panda Villa
    10. No.3 Giant Panda Villa

Guidemap on Panda Villas
Plan Legend:

  1. Panda Villa Area
    1. No.6 Giant Panda Villa
    2. No.1 Enclosure for Red Pandas
    3. No.7 Giant Panda Villa
    4. No.5 Giant Panda Villa
    5. No.4 Giant Panda Villa
    6. No.3 Giant Panda Villa

Swan Lake

The Swan Lake Habitat Map of the Chengdu Panda Base
«Ruddy Shelduck, Spot-billed duck, Little Grebe, White Wagtail, Baer's Pochard, Whooper Swan, Chinese Pond Heron, Common Pochard, white-eyed pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Common Teal, Barn Swallow, Black-crowned Night Hero, Common Coot, Little Egret, Common Moorhen, Common Kingfisher.»

The Swan Lake Habitat at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding offers a tranquil refuge not only for pandas but also for a rich array of waterfowl and passerines.

  • Among the most striking residents are the Whooper Swan and Ruddy Shelduck, whose graceful movements and vibrant plumage lend the lake its name and character. Diving birds like the Little Grebe and Common Pochard can be seen skimming the surface or vanishing beneath it in search of aquatic prey, while the Tufted Duck and Ferruginous Duck add depth to the palette of waterbird diversity. The Spot-billed Duck and Mallard, more familiar to many, mingle with rarer species such as Baer's Pochard—a critically endangered bird whose presence here underscores the habitat’s ecological importance.
  • Wading birds and marsh dwellers also find sanctuary in Swan Lake’s reedy margins and shallows. The Chinese Pond Heron and Little Egret stalk the edges with deliberate poise, while the Black-crowned Night Heron emerges at dusk, its hunched silhouette a familiar sight to attentive visitors. The Common Moorhen and Common Coot paddle through the shallows, their jerky movements and sharp calls animating the quieter corners of the lake. These species, along with the Common Teal and white-eyed pochard, reflect the seasonal rhythms of migration and breeding, making Swan Lake a dynamic stage for avian life throughout the year.
  • Above and around the lake, aerial and terrestrial species complete the avifaunal tapestry. The White Wagtail flits along the walkways and stones, its tail bobbing in rhythmic counterpoint to its darting steps. Barn Swallows swoop and dive in elegant arcs, feeding on insects stirred by the lake’s surface. The Common Kingfisher, a jewel-toned flash of blue and orange, perches silently before plunging into the water with precision. Together, these birds—each with its own ecological role and symbolic resonance—transform Swan Lake into a living mandala of movement, sound, and seasonal transformation.

Bordering Swan Lake

Taking the path to No.5 Giant Panda Villa (Plan No. 29)

Giant Panda

























































Entering Moon Giant Panda Nursery House (indoor)
The Moon Giant Panda Nursery House is one of three specialized indoor nursery facilities at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, China.

  • Designed to provide optimal care for panda cubs from birth through their early developmental stages, the Moon Nursery offers a climate-controlled environment where newborns and infants are closely monitored by veterinary and caretaking staff. This facility is especially active during the late summer and early autumn months, when most panda births occur, and it plays a vital role in the base’s mission to conserve and breed this endangered species through scientific and ethical practices.
  • Inside the Moon Nursery, visitors can observe panda cubs ranging from a few weeks to about one year old. The viewing areas are separated by glass panels, allowing guests to watch the cubs without disturbing their sensitive environment. The nursery is equipped with incubators, padded play areas, and feeding stations, all tailored to the cubs’ developmental needs. Staff members often engage in gentle handling and feeding routines, which are visible to the public during designated hours. These glimpses into the early lives of pandas—crawling, napping, or being bottle-fed—offer a rare and intimate look at the species’ infancy and the meticulous care required to ensure their survival.
  • Due to its popularity, the Moon Nursery can become quite crowded, especially in the mornings when the cubs are most active. It is located near the South Gate of the panda base, making it easily accessible to visitors arriving early. Alongside the Sun and Star Nursery Houses, the Moon Nursery forms part of a triad of facilities dedicated to nurturing panda cubs in their most vulnerable stages. For those interested in conservation, animal care, or simply the joy of witnessing baby pandas, the Moon Nursery offers a profound and heartwarming experience that underscores the importance of global efforts to protect these gentle creatures.




























































Red Panda

Entering the Red Panda Delivery House
The Red Panda Delivery House at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a specialized indoor facility dedicated to the care and observation of newborn and juvenile red pandas.

  • While the base is globally renowned for its giant panda conservation efforts, it also plays a vital role in protecting the lesser-known but equally endangered red panda species. The Delivery House provides a controlled environment where red panda mothers can give birth and raise their cubs under close veterinary supervision. This facility ensures that the delicate early stages of red panda life are supported by optimal temperature, nutrition, and hygiene standards.
  • Visitors to the Red Panda Delivery House can witness the tender interactions between red panda mothers and their cubs through glass viewing panels, allowing for intimate observation without disturbing the animals. The nursery is equipped with incubators, nesting boxes, and climbing structures tailored to the red pandas’ arboreal nature. Unlike the more robust and playful giant panda cubs, red panda infants are smaller, more elusive, and require quieter surroundings. The caretakers maintain a strict routine of feeding, cleaning, and monitoring, often visible to guests during designated hours, offering a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work of conservation.
  • Situated near the red panda playground and enclosures, the Delivery House complements the base’s broader efforts to simulate natural habitats while providing essential medical and developmental care. Red pandas at the Chengdu base are known for their curiosity and charm, often roaming freely in designated areas, but the Delivery House remains a sanctuary for their most vulnerable stages. For those interested in the full spectrum of panda conservation, this facility highlights the base’s commitment not only to the iconic giant panda but also to the preservation of its smaller, tree-dwelling cousin.


























































Leaving Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

See Also

Source

Location

Location: 1375 Xiong Mao Da Dao, Cheng Hua Qu, Cheng Du Shi, Si Chuan Sheng, China, 610016