Panda Valley(Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Dujiangyan Breeding Wild Research Center)

On the way to Dujiangyan, we went there early in the morning. The parking lot was closed for some reason. The area inside wasn't very big, but there were about eight or nine giant pandas eating breakfast, munching on bamboo leaves—they were so adorable! There were also red pandas, which were especially cute. We were able to see them up close.

All the Panda are sleeping by the time we arrived. But they still very cute and have a lesser crowd. Easy to take photos and a nice morning stroll. Recommended!

Less crowded than Chengdu Research Base, and Dujiangyan itself is good for a full day trip from Chengdu. Instant access purchase directly from Trip without the hassle to do any additional registration like from official website.

Chengdu Panda Valley stands out with an immersive ecological experience. Compared with the crowded panda base, the natural environment built on the mountain allows tourists to observe the natural state of the giant panda up close, and the free-range panda area is full of interaction. It is recommended to go early in the morning to avoid the peak of the flow of people and catch up with the most active time of the panda. The downside is that it is small in size and can be visited in 2 hours, but it is better than the quiet and wild fun. Suitable for animal lovers who pursue deep experiences, families with children can also easily visit.

1. Environment and facilities - Beautiful natural environment: Located in Baima Village, Yutang Town, Dujiangyan City, it is built on the mountain, surrounded by green mountains and green waters, with bamboo and trees, gurgling streams, birds singing and flowers blooming, and fresh air, providing a unique natural living environment for giant pandas, and making tourists feel as if they are in a tranquil natural painting. Reasonable site design: The scenic area is scientifically planned and divided into multiple areas, such as the wild release transition training area and the captive breeding area. The various areas are connected by reasonable roads and signs to facilitate tourists to visit. At the same time, the roads in the park are flat and spacious, suitable for walking and leisure, and there will be no crowds even in the peak tourist season. 2. Panda viewing experience - A large number of pandas: There are more than a dozen giant pandas living here all year round, such as Xingrong, Xingya, Gongzi, Yingying, Zhizhi, Qiqi, etc. In addition, there are other rare animals such as red pandas, giving tourists the opportunity to observe these cute animals up close. Various ways of viewing: Visitors can watch the living habits and behavioral characteristics of giant pandas at close range through plank roads, viewing platforms, etc., such as eating, sleeping, playing, etc., and feel their cuteness. Glass observation windows are also set up in some areas, so that visitors can see the activities of giant pandas more clearly, which increases the fun and interactivity of viewing. 3. Educational significance and scientific research value Popular science education base: As an important part of the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base, Panda Valley undertakes important popular science education tasks. There are many popular science display boards and propaganda columns in the park to introduce tourists to the ecological habits, protection status and protection measures of giant pandas, so that people can understand the survival status and importance of protection of giant pandas while enjoying the beautiful scenery, and enhance environmental awareness. Scientific research monitoring platform: This is also an important place for scientific researchers to conduct wild training and research on giant pandas. Through monitoring and research on the behavior and physiology of giant pandas, it provides a scientific basis for the protection and release of giant pandas into the wild, which is of great significance to promoting the development of giant panda protection. 4. Transportation Convenience Public transportation is convenient: There are many buses from downtown Chengdu that can go directly to Panda Valley, such as Dujiangyan No. 14. The buses run frequently and at a high speed, making it convenient for tourists to go there. In addition, you can also choose to take the train to Dujiangyan Station, then transfer to the bus or take a taxi. The transportation network is very developed.

I went to Panda Valley on the weekend. I drove from Chengdu at 8:00 in the morning and arrived a little after 9:00 because I arrived early. Parking was quite convenient. The whole scenic area is not very big. It took me about two hours to walk the whole way (round trip, excluding the time to stop to see the pandas). But after all, it is built in the mountains, and there is a certain slope throughout the whole journey. The barrier-free facilities are relatively complete, and it is still relatively convenient for baby carriages and elderly wheelchairs. Compared with the Giant Panda Base in Chenghua District, Panda Valley is smaller, but the route is more concentrated, the route planning is more reasonable, and the facilities are relatively new. After playing, you will not feel that the scenic spots are far from each other, and you even have to take a car. The vegetation in the scenic area is lush, the air is very good, and it is very clean. There are staff in every place where you can see pandas. In addition to seeing pandas, there are also mountain trails where you can climb mountains, and the signposts are also very clear. The only shortcoming is that there is no food for sale in the scenic area. There are only some light meals or coffee. If you bring children, you need to pay attention to bringing food. It is recommended that adults bring instant rice and the like.

Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base Dujiangyan Breeding and Release Research Center (also known as Panda Valley) is located in Yutang Town, Dujiangyan City, on the edge of the natural distribution area of ​​giant pandas in the Qionglai Mountains. It covers an area of ​​2,000 acres and is mainly responsible for the training of giant pandas for wild release, the breeding of giant pandas and their companion animals, high-end science education and educational tourism. It is a bridge for captive giant pandas to return to nature. In 1953, the first wild giant panda in Chengdu after the founding of New China was discovered here and sent to Chengdu Zoo (Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base was established on this basis) for rescue, thus opening the road to ex situ protection of giant pandas in my country. After more than 30 years of hard work, Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base has developed into the world's largest captive population with 196 individuals (as of 2018) based on the initial rescue of 6 injured giant pandas. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of ex situ protection—the giant panda returns to nature and rejuvenates the wild giant panda population. In May 2010, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding launched the Panda Valley construction project. In January 2012, the first phase of the project was completed and giant pandas moved in. At present, the Panda Valley has three fully functional giant panda adaptive ecological animal houses, two semi-wild overtraining areas and a red panda ecological release area, with more than 10 giant pandas and more than 30 red pandas living here all year round. Wild reintroduction experts from home and abroad gather here to jointly carry out wild reintroduction research on giant pandas, explore the feasibility of giant pandas under ex situ protection gradually going to the wild for self-reproduction, and gradually achieve the goal of returning giant pandas to nature and rejuvenating the wild giant panda population. In the future, the Panda Valley will be expanded to 15 square kilometers and built into a pilot demonstration base of the Giant Panda National Park that integrates wild reintroduction research, characteristic high-end ecological experience, and international cooperation and exchange. By then, tourists from home and abroad will truly experience and feel the joy of the panda home in the Panda Valley. Parking is convenient, there are buses from Dujiangyan City, and seniors over 60 years old are free.

The student tickets we bought are very cheap. There are sightseeing buses to take. In fact, it's very convenient to walk. You can go up first, Panda No. 1, No. 2, delivery room and so on, then walk down to Swan Lake Rose Garden, exit. Pandas are really cute and interactive. It's better to go before 11 o'clock. The panda begins to sleep around 11 o'clock.