Pandas in Sichuan, China
Panda lovers – rejoice! Fans of the world’s most adorable vulnerable bear species have a few new reasons to celebrate the animal; about 27,134 km2 worth. Stretching across China’s Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces, plans for the newly proposed ‘Giant Panda National Park’ (大熊猫国家公园) are expected to be formalized as soon as the end of 2019.
The Story of the Giant Panda in China
Bringing together 30 or more groups of pandas spread across these three regions, unified management of the vast protected area should mean a more consistent conservation policy throughout and consequently better outcomes for panda populations as their numbers continue to rise. Long on the decline due to habitat fragmentation and poaching, wild panda populations are on an upward trend from an estimated low of 1,596 individuals in 2004 to 1,864 ten years later, with current populations estimated around 2,060 including cubs.
Until the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake that devastated much of Sichuan province, the Wolong National Nature Reserve served as the center of panda research and tourism in China. At over 200,000 square kilometers, the reserve still acts as an anchor of China’s panda breeding and research programs, but only reopened to the public in 2016 in the form of the newly built Shenshupeng Panda Center in the village of Gengda. However, with limited public awareness of the new center and poor transport connections to major tourist destinations, it remains an uncommon stop for independent travelers in Sichuan. Similarly, the Dujiangyan Panda Base, open to the public since 2013, primarily focuses on disease research and serves as a quarantine point for pandas returning from abroad, yet sees comparatively few international tourists despite its proximity to Chengdu.
Where to See Giant Pandas in China
Most visitors to Sichuan instead head to two more accessible options for their panda fix in the province. Just on the outskirts of Chengdu, the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is by far the easiest place to see the animals. Visitors who can afford the fees can even cuddle up to a baby panda for a quick photo, with all proceeds from this touristic side of the center contributing to conservation and breeding programs at this non-profit. It’s an easy half-day trip and, with the iconic status the animals have attained in China, it is a popular visit for local and foreign tourists alike.
Further afield, the Bifengxia Panda Base near the city of Ya’An was established in 2003 but expanded significantly after 2008 when animals from the damaged Wolong Reserve were relocated here. Now hosting around 20 pandas, with a special section just for younger visitors, this facility has become a popular alternative to the Chengdu Base for travelers with more time in Sichuan. Particularly as it’s feasible to visit Bifengxia as a long day trip from Chengdu, guests come not just for the pandas but also for the chance to explore the scenic landscapes surrounding the area.
The Giant Panda National Park
In many of the areas proposed for inclusion in the Giant Panda National Park, these landscapes are a key draw. For the pandas, smarter land management translates to reduced habitat fragmentation and a wider range to roam in search of feeding and mating opportunities – which have been significant challenges for the animals in recent years. As for travelers, while the implications of the new park are less clear, many existing national parks and scenic areas lie within its proposed boundaries, making it reasonable to expect that ecotourism activities will contribute to the ecological and economic sustainability of this initiative. Although spotting pandas in the wild remains exceedingly unlikely, exploring the landscapes that comprise the newly proposed national park can offer insights into both the animals’ habits and the natural beauty of their home country.
Pandas in Jiuzhaigou National Park
Among the highlights of Sichuan and perhaps all of China, Jiuzhaigou National Park features many colorful lakes and thundering waterfalls situated in prime panda habitat. Though the park sustained significant damage during a 2017 earthquake, it reopened in limited form in 2018, allowing managed groups of visitors. Entries are now restricted to 2,000 per day – a substantial decrease from a peak of 20,000 during busy periods like China’s Golden Week holidays. Even during peak tourism seasons, the park offers alternative ecotourism opportunities such as wild hikes in the Zharu Valley, a sharp but beautiful contrast to the more managed experience typical for visitors to Jiuzhaigou.
Other Places to Spot Giant Pandas
On the edge of the Himalayas west of Chengdu, Four Sisters Mountain National Park presents a wild face of the Sichuan mountainscape. Featuring three mountain valleys, each progressively rugged and approaching the eponymous peaks, every valley offers a unique perspective of the mountains and experience. The wooden plankways of the Shuangqiao Valley meander gently through alpine meadows and larch forests, while the Haizi Valley trail climbs steeply up an exposed area from the valley floor for breathtaking panoramas of the Four Sisters and serene lakes surrounded by yak-grazing territory. In between, the Changping Valley leads through heavy forests and down from the Tibetan Plateau to the edges of the Chengdu Plain.
While not prime panda habitat, Shaanxi’s Huashan exemplifies the outsider’s image of a dreamlike Chinese landscape. As one of five sacred Taoist mountains in the country, Huashan features jagged rocky peaks and trails carved directly into the mountain slopes, resembling ancient scroll paintings come to life. With diligent resource management, there’s potential for future landscapes to include even more pandas in these iconic scenes.
