By Chuan-X Panda
Published: Jan. 10, 2026 11:30 AM
Great news! On December 29, 2025, a new giant panda base opened in Sichuan Province, China. Located in Mianyang City, adjacent to the provincial capital Chengdu, its full name is the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) Mianyang Base. It is also known as the Mianyang China Giant Panda Garden, or simply the Mianyang Panda Base. It began its trial public operation on December 29th.
Operating Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM daily, with last entry at 4:30 PM. According to the reports, the base received nearly 40,000 visitors in its first week of trial operation.
📍 No. 166, Panda Avenue, Mianyang Science and Technology City New District, Mianyang city, Sichuan, China.
Why Mianyang?
Mianyang is home to 418 wild giant pandas, accounting for 22.4% of the national total and ranking first among all prefecture-level cities in China. This has earned Mianyang the title "China's No. 1 City for Wild Giant Pandas." The area encompasses a core section of the Giant Panda National Park and one of the world's most genetically diverse panda habitats. Leveraging the research capabilities of Mianyang— the Science and Technology City, the base aims to scientifically breed pandas and expand their genetic diversity.
An Alternative to the Chengdu Panda Base
Compared to the Chengdu Panda Base, the Mianyang base currently has fewer visitors, meaning less time spent in queues and more relaxed panda viewing. It is also more conveniently located than bases like Ya'an, being only about a 2-hour drive from Chengdu. The new base covers a large area, utilizing the geographical advantages of the Min Mountains. It is already home to 20 pandas, including: FUWA, CAOCAO, FENGYI, TIANBAO, YIYI, HUABAO, JINBAOBAO, BINGZAI, SUYANG, YAXIANG, MEILING, MEIQIAN, ZHENLAN, SHENGLAN, XIXI, YINKE, BOSE, XINGXING, ZHULING, and BINGBAO.
How to Get There?
1. High-Speed Rail + Bus
Take a high-speed train to Mianyang Railway Station (High-Speed Rail Station). After exiting, walk to the West Bus Station of Mianyang Railway Station（火车客站西站） opposite the station (use map navigation). Take Bus 91 (towards Anzhou Chengbei Bus Station （安州城北公交站方向）). After 18 stops, get off at Fujinlu Zhaohu Station（涪金路招呼站）. Cross the street to the opposite bus stop, Jinjialin Community Station（金家林社区站）, and transfer to the Panda Special Line 1 (towards Mianyang China Giant Panda Garden（绵阳中华大熊猫苑方向）). After 3 stops, get off at Panda Avenue Yiduan Station（熊猫大道一段站）and walk to the base entrance. The bus costs about 4 RMB.
2. High-Speed Rail + Taxi
Take a high-speed train to Mianyang Railway Station. A taxi from the station to the panda base takes about 25 minutes and costs approximately 25 RMB.
3. Direct Bus
From Linyuankou in downtown Mianyang, take the Panda Special Line 1 directly to the base.
From Nanhu Bus Station in Mianyang, take the Panda Special Line 2 directly to the base. (RMB)
4. Self-Drive / Taxi from Chengdu
Driving or taking a taxi from Chengdu takes about 2 hours.
Ticket Booking & Reservation
Tickets must be booked online in advance with real-name registration (bring your ID card). You can book via:
· The "绵阳中华大熊猫苑" (Mianyang China Giant Panda Garden) Official WeChat Mini Program.
· Official authorized platforms such as the Meituan App, Ctrip App, Douyin App, or Tongcheng Travel App. Search for "绵阳中华大熊猫苑" to book.
The online system allows bookings up to 7 days in advance. Tickets for each time slot are limited and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ticket Prices:
· Normal price：55 RMB/person.
· Student Ticket: 27 RMB/person (Valid student ID required for undergraduate or lower-level students).
· Free Admission: Children under 6 years old or under 1.3 meters in height; adults aged 60 and above; eligible individuals (e.g., active military personnel, persons with disabilities) upon presentation of valid credentials.
Important Notes:
· Pandas are most active in the morning and often rest at noon. Plan your visit accordingly for the best experience.
· As the base is new, the current number of pandas is relatively low, and some enclosures are not yet occupied (red pandas have already moved in). Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
· For details, please call: 0086-0816-6018001.