Written by Veronica |
Located in the Bifengxia Scenic Area, Ya’an, Sichuan, China, Bifengxia Panda Base is a comprehensive facility of research and breeding centers for giant pandas. Established in 2003, this panda base is a branch of the China Conservation & Research Center for the Giant Panda. It provides a great natural habitat for over 80 pandas with excellent air and water quality.
Also known as Bifengxia Panda Center, Bifengxia Panda Base in China is a breeding center for over 60 giant pandas and the motherland of famous pandas, including Tuan Tuan, Yuan Yuan, and Taishan. If you want to visit there, we can customize your Sichuan tours to Bifengxia Panda Base in Ya’an.
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- Bifengxia Panda Base Facts
- Layout of Bifengxia Panda Base
- What to See and Do in Bifengxia Panda Base
- Panda Volunteer Program in Bifengxia
- Best Time to Visit Bifengxia Panda Base
- How to Get to Bifengxia Panda Base
- Attractions nearby Bifengxia Panda Base
- Having a Panda Tour with China Xian Tour
Bifengxia Panda Base Facts
- Location: Located in Bifengxia Scenic Area, Ya’an City, Sichuan Province.
- Opening time:9:00 – 16:00 (It closes between 11:30-13:30 for pandas to rest.)
- Time Needed:3-4 hours
- Best time to visit: March to May and September to November
- Suited to: Family with children and anyone who wants to see pandas.
- Ticket price: CNY 100 per person
Related Reading: 20+ Fascinating Giant Panda Facts: Getting to Know China’s National Treasure
Layout of Bifengxia Panda Base
The Bifengxia Panda Base is located within the lush Bifengxia Scenic Area near Ya’an. The entire base spans approximately 1,074 mu (about 177 acres) to integrates panda research, breeding, and visitor functions within a natural, semi-wild setting.
The base features three main display areas:
- White Bear Ground (Bai Xiong Ping):This site is the closest to the entrance, it includes about eight enclosures for adult and nearly adult pandas to live and play. A lot of enrichment items like swings and tubs are placed here to encourage pandas natural behaviors.Pandas like Si Xue (思雪) and Yuan Fu (缘福) are staying here.
- Panda Kindergarten: This area is locateddeeper inside the base. It combines indoor nursery spaces with outdoor play zones where juvenile pandas can climb, play with toys, and interact closely with each other. You can see Yun Duo and Ya Ya, quite active pandas.
- Overseas-born Giant Panda Paradise (“Returned Panda Paradise”): Designed for pandas returning from overseas, this tranquil zone has seven enclosures in total. This site allows you to see internationally famous pandas, such as Xiang Lu (香芦) and Fei Hong (飞虹),in a serene, lush environment.
- Leopard Mountain: In recent years, it has become a really hot spot thanks to the comeback of Xiang Xiang (香香). Xiang Xiang and her mother, Shin Shin, are currently both living in Leopard Mountain.
Walking trails will wind through bamboo groves and shaded paths, connecting these zones with vantage points and informative displays, and visitors can thus have a comfortable, unobtrusive way to observe pandas in their habitat-like enclosures
What to See and Do in Bifengxia Panda Base
Interacts with Pandas in Different Zones
As a must-visit attraction on your Chengdu panda tours, Bifengxia Panda Base allows you to observe and interact with lovely baby pandas and giant pandas. There are different zones for pandas, including the breeding zone, baby care zone, and kindergarten zone. Additionally, there is a zone for giant pandas, which has the largest population of returned pandas from overseas.
Join the Pandas Volunteers Program
It must be a wonderful experience for you to serve as a volunteer at Bifengxia Panda Base. This giant panda base offers panda keeper programs where you can feed, clean, and interact with pandas. Besides, a certificate will be given to you in memory of your volunteering experience as a panda keeper at Bifengxia Panda Base.
Immerse Yourself in the Natural Beauty
As a natural habitat for pandas, Bifengxia Panda Base is a site with lush forests and pleasant surroundings. You can hike or take a leisurely walk along the winding trails and indulge yourself in the beautiful landscape.
Explore the Nearby Attractions
Near Bifengxia Giant Panda Base, Bifengxia Valley awaits for you to explore. It encompasses two valleys presenting a “V” shape and is famous for its magnificent mountains, dense vegetation, and waterfalls. Besides, the Bifengxia Ecological Zoo is also a great place to visit. There are distinct zones for beasts, tame animals, and nocturnal animals, providing the opportunity to observe and learn more about wildlife.
Panda Volunteer Program in Bifengxia
What’s included in a Panda Volunteer Program?
If you’re interested in Pandas’ life and wanting to know more about it, take part in The Panda Volunteer Program which is organized at Bifengxia Panda Base. You’ll get a full-day, hands-on experience that can allow you to learn more about giant panda conservation efforts. Here’s what a volunteer day will be looked like:
- Orientation & Preparation – Upon arrival, you’ll first complete some registration and safety briefing. And it’s time to change into volunteer overalls and gloves, then follow an instructor to really step into the panda care area.
- Cleaning the Panda Enclosure – Under expert guidance, you are going to together clean the working area, and most importantly, prepare fresh bamboo for the pandas to have for a day.
- Behavior Training Observation – Watch keepers conduct behavior training with pandas, these are activities designed to encourage pandas’natural activity and they help improve their wellbeing.
- Guided Tour of the Base – Further explore the base with your instructor, she/he’s going to tell you fascinating panda stories.
- Panda Documentary – Take a rest while gaining deeper insight into panda life and habitat protection through an educational documentary.
- Panda Nutrition Workshop – Try to prepare handmade wowotou (corn buns) as a nutritious snack for pandas
- Special Diet Preparation – Discover the unique meal plans for pandas in recovery areas and help prepare their specialized food.
- Certificate Presentation – Return your work clothes and gloves, then end your day with a volunteer certificate and souvenir.
Requirements and Tips for Bifengxia Panda Volunteer Program
To better join the Bifengxia Panda Volunteer Program, participants generally need to:
- Be in good health condition and at least aged 12 or above (some tasks may require participants to be over 18)
- Wear comfortable clothing which is suitable for outdoor work and avoid bright perfumes or scents
- Follow all safety instructions from panda keepers to prevent stress or harm that could possibly impose onthe pandas
- Book the program in advance, as daily slots are limited
- Photography is usually allowed but without flash, and this is criticalto protect the pandas’
Best Time to Visit Bifengxia Panda Base
For a better tour experience, you can plan your China panda tours to Bifengxia Panda Base between March and May or from September to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and the pandas tend to be more active. Besides, you can witness pandas returning from overseas during this period. And in terms of the best visiting time during a day, our experience is that you can either go earlier in the morning or 1-2 pm in the afternoon. These are the most ideal periods to see pandas playing actively.
How to Get to Bifengxia Panda Base
From Chengdu:
By bus: A convenient and economical way for you to Bifengxia Panda Base in Ya’an is by bus. Just head to Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station or Shiyangchang Bus Station and board a bus toward Ya’an Tourist Bus Station. Take a taxi or local bus to Bifengxia Scenic Area after you reach Ya’an. Then, board a sightseeing bus to the panda base.
By train: A train is available for you to get to Bifengxia Panda Base from Chengdu. Make your way to Chengdu East Railway Station, Chengdu West Railway Station, or Chengdu South Railway Station to take a train to Ya’an, and it takes about 1.5 hours. Take a taxi to the Bifengxia Scenic Area afterward, and you will be there finally.
From Ya’an:
By Panda Bus Tourist Special Line
After arriving at Ya’an by high-speed train, except for taking a taxi ride to the base, you can also choose the Panda Bus Tourist Line. It’s a direct line and here are some information for you.
- Boarding Location: Basement Level 1 (B1), below the elevator at the exit of Ya’an Railway Station
- Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Fare:8 RMB per person
- Drop-off Point: Panda Base Visitor Center
One thing about it is that it doesn’t have a fixed schedule. It departs only after reaching a minimum number of passengers. So that means, if there are fewer travelers, you may need to wait for a long time until the next group to arrive. As a result, if you only have limited time to visit the base, the faster and more flexible taxi can be a more suitable choice.
Attractions nearby Bifengxia Panda Base
- Bifengxia Valley: Known as “the lung of Sichuan”, this scenic area is where the Bifengxia Panda Base is seated.
- Bifengxia Ecological Zoo: Located near the panda base, this ecological zoo has over 10,000 animals with more than 400 species, including lions, black bears, deer, monkeys, lizards, many types of birds, and more.
- Shangli Ancient Town: This town witnessed the changes of the past, and it is an important node of the Silk Road. Drop by there after your trip to Bifengxia Panda Base to explore the ancient architecture.
- Mengding Mountain:It is the birthplace of tea cultivation in China. Visit there and get close to ancient tea trees, explore the tea museum, and taste the famous Mengding tea.
Related Reading: 8 Best Places to See Pandas in China
Having a Panda Tour with China Xian Tour
Pandas are a major reason for foreign visitors coming to China, especially Chengdu and areas around. Ya’an Bifengxia is one of the best places for you to see pandas in a natural environment, and except for this base, the famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is also a hot place to go. If you want an unforgettable panda tour in Chengdu or Ya’an, just let China Xian Tour be your best travel partner. We can arrange everything for you: tickets, transfers, introductions. With our private customization service, your whole journey will be more than fulfilling and rewarding.
