Pandas are one of the most famous symbols of China, as well as a symbol of wildlife conservation and international diplomacy. As a native to China, the protection of the giant panda is vital to Chinese policy, which has given these beautiful animals UNESCO status.

Pandas are rare in the wild but China offers plenty of excellent opportunities to see them， Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu…but do you know what is the best place to see pandas in China?

Since the earthquake in Sichuan Province in 2008 there are two good places to see pandas ?C one in the Panda Research Centre in Chengdu itself and one in Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base. Wolong centre was destroyed by the earthquake and by sheer luck only the pandas survived and they’ve been transferred around Chengdu. Some of them are “rented” to zoos around the world.? Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base is located in Bifengxia Town, Ya’an City of south-west Sichuan Province. The distance from Chengdu to Ya’an Panda Base is 140km which takes around 2 hours’ drive to get there and you can arrange the visit as a day tour.? The drive is very scenic, through forest, waterfalls, river and breath-taking landscapes. The mountain weather is changeable, so you would need to wear layers for warmth and rain protection. It can rain anytime of the year, particularly in June, July, and August (also sunnier during this period) and snow is most prevalent from November through to March.

Although there are more Pandas here, you’ll get to see Pandas more in their natural habita than in the Panda Research Centre in Chengdu. You can spend around at least 1.5hrs here，subject to conditions you can have your picture taken with a baby Panda for 1,000 RMB. Also, you can do some voluntary work which includes feeding pandas, cleaning the enclosures, monitoring their habits but you have to be in extra good health as the forms which you need to fill in ask for very personal information. Within the park there is the Ya’an Wild Animal Zoo where you can see golden monkeys, tigers, hawks and so on.

The Panda Research Centre in Chengdu is located almost in the city centre, but its much more professionally run and controlled. I had a feeling that the Pandas are in a more sombre mood here and in very limited enclosures. But in this centre, you would be able to see Red Pandas which you can’t in the Ya’an Centre. For those of you staying few nights in Chengdu I would suggest that you go to book a private day trip to the Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base. For those with less time I would suggest you sightseeing tour of the Pandas in the Research Base in the city centre of Chengdu.

Visit to pandas can be combined with the cruise on the Yangtze River. After the 5-day cruise from Yichang to Chongqing alone the Yangtze River you can take a high-speed train from Chongqing to the panda’s capital city，Chengdu.