Giant Pandas

Sichuan province is home to 80% of the world’s population of giant pandas, so it’s not a surprise that the province is at the forefront of the conservation effort to save them. It is also no surprise, given their adorable persona, that the panda has long been a national symbol of China. As an increasingly endangered species, the protection of this lovable bear from extinction is a top priority for China, and the frontrunner in this mission is the Chengdu Panda Research Base, located just 10 kilometres north of Chengdu's city centre.

With over 80 pandas in residence, the Chengdu Panda Research Base is first and foremost a conservation and breeding centre, working to protect the panda and maintain, if not increase, their numbers. The park is set up to resemble the mountain and forest regions in north Sichuan with extensive bamboo trees and large green spaces, mirroring the pandas’ natural habitat. There are also a population of red pandas calling the base home, which are equally as fun to watch!