Live Your Best Lives
Visitors to Bifengxia Panda Base can enjoy observing giant pandas in their naturalistic enclosures, participate in volunteer programs, and explore the adjacent Bifeng Gorge for scenic hikes.
Bifengxia, a National AAAA-level tourist attraction, is named for its lush forests and perennial verdant landscape. Legend has it that it was transformed by the goddess Nüwa, the goddess who mended the heavens. Over 60 scenic spots within the scenic area are associated with Nüwa, creating a truly enigmatic scene. In Bifengxia, you can breathe the fragrant air of the mountains and valleys, discover the age-old remains of the heaven-mending temple, and discover the legends of love and beauty that once unfolded here.
Like an ethereal, hazy poem or an elegant ink painting, the Bifengxia Scenic Area awaits your immersion and appreciation. The Bifengxia Scenic Area comprises two canyons: the left canyon is 7 kilometers long, the right canyon is 6 kilometers long, and they form a V-shaped, enclosed, circular scenic area. The canyon is 30-70 meters wide, with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,971 meters. The canyon walls are 100-200 meters high, and the contrasting green peaks create a picturesque scene, making it an ideal destination for leisure, vacation, and summer escapes.
The Bifengxia Scenic Area includes Huanglong Gorge, Tianxian Bridge, natural bonsai, Qiancengyan Waterfall, Bailongtan Waterfall, Nuwa Pool, Dripping Plank Road, Yanv Garden and many other attractions.
Ya'an City is located on the southwestern edge of the Sichuan Basin. It has a mild climate, with neither severe cold in winter nor scorching heat in summer. Its forest coverage rate leads the country, the air quality is excellent, the water quality is good, the people are simple, and there are many delicious foods. It is indeed a good place to escape the summer heat and relax.
Huanglong Gorge
Adjacent to Bifeng Gorge, the gorge is 4 kilometers long and only 30 meters at its narrowest point. The Longxi River winds through the gorge, winding and turbulent. The two banks are flanked by steep cliffs, with towering cliffs, high mountains and deep valleys, and trees blocking out the sun.
Silver Rat Peak and Little Western Sky Peak, each with its own distinct shape, are a breathtaking display of natural beauty, each a true-to-life expression. Between the sheer cliffs, waterfalls cascade and mountain springs gurgle. In the summer and autumn evenings, fireflies dance through the deep ravines, like a glittering starry sky. Within Huanglong Gorge, a peak stands majestically, resembling a seated Buddha statue with its hands draped, its features distinct, its face benevolent, its demeanor radiant. It is known as the Natural Huanglong Giant Buddha.
Bifengxia Waterfalls
The gorge boasts over 50 waterfalls and pools, some resembling silver beads and splashing jade, others cascading like white silk, cascading cascades or gushing all the way to the bottom. These waterfalls create a unique scenic beauty within the Bifengxia Scenic Area. The Bailongtan Waterfall, 30 meters high and over 10 meters wide, cascades down the cliff, sending up a cloud of water that resembles a soaring white dragon. The mist, chilling and eerie, creates a deep, eerie sound that resonates deeply through the canyon. At the bottom, a 10-meter-deep pool, approximately 100 square meters, forms.
Qiancengyan Waterfall
About 100 meters high and 10 meters wide, the waterfall cascades down into the lush forest on the terrace halfway up the cliff, then flows slowly down the mountainside along the thousand-layer rock. Countless silver threads form a huge silver curtain, like the beautiful hair of a fairy, floating in the air. It cascades down from the layers of steep rocks all year round, forming a two-tiered terraced waterfall.
Yuanyang Waterfall
The 30-meter-high stream is blocked by high rocks and splits into two, forming two Yuanyang Waterfalls on the left and right, each of different sizes and momentum.
Qinglongtan Waterfall
The waterfall is about 40 meters high and 6 meters wide. It cascades down from the jungle in the canyon, passing through layers of strange rocks and pouring into the valley floor, like a green dragon descending the mountain. At the bottom of the valley lies a deep pool covering an area of more than 100 square meters.
Dripping Water Plank Road
Located on the Youxia tourist plank road, the stream water falls evenly from the bare rocks more than 10 meters high. Visitors here stop on the plank road, look up at the dripping rock, and the splashing water droplets are refreshing.
The entrance fee to Ya'an Bifengxia Scenic Area is 118 yuan (including the entrance fee to the Giant Panda Park).
The ticket price for Bifengxia Wildlife Park is 180 yuan.
Bifengxia Scenic Area: 8:00-16:00 (summer);
Zoo 8:30-16:00 (summer);
Bifengxia Scenic Area 8:30-16:00 (winter);
Zoo 9:00-15:40 (winter).
Panda Park 9:00-11:30 (winter); 13:30-16:00 (winter),
8:30-11:30 (summer); 13:30-16:00 (summer).
Bifengxia Panda Base was established in 2003 to support panda conservation efforts and accommodate pandas relocated from Wolong after the 2008 earthquake. It serves as a research and breeding center for giant pandas.
Bifengxia Panda Base is located in Ya’an City, Sichuan Province, approximately 160 km southwest of Chengdu. Visitors can reach the base via:
The base is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The best times to visit are from April to October, when the weather is cooler and pandas are more active.
The entrance fee is approximately 100–130 RMB per person. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or through various online travel agencies.
It is advisable to book tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to ensure entry.
A visit typically takes 2 to 3 hours if focusing solely on the panda base. If planning to explore the adjacent Bifeng Gorge, allocate an additional 2 to 3 hours.
Key areas include:
Guided tours are available in Chinese. English-speaking guides may be arranged in advance through travel agencies.
The enclosures themselves offer excellent opportunities for photography. Early morning visits are recommended for the best lighting and panda activity.
Start at the White Bear Ground, then proceed to the Panda Kindergarten and Science Center. If time permits, visit the Bifeng Gorge for a scenic hike.
The base operates during daylight hours only, and there are no night visits or light shows.
Weekdays, especially Tuesday through Thursday, tend to be less crowded. Early mornings are also quieter, offering a more relaxed experience.
Basic amenities such as restrooms, snack stands, and souvenir shops are available near the entrance.
The base is generally accessible, with paved paths suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. However, some areas may have uneven terrain.
Both cash and mobile payments (such as Alipay and WeChat Pay) are accepted. Credit cards may not be widely accepted.
Nearby dining options include:
Vegetarian options are available, but vegan and halal choices may be limited. It's advisable to inquire at restaurants beforehand.
There are several hotels near the base, including:
Adjacent to the panda base is the Bifeng Gorge, known for its lush forests and waterfalls, ideal for hiking and nature walks.
Souvenir shops near the entrance offer panda-themed items such as plush toys, postcards, and apparel.
Visitors can return to Chengdu by bus, train, or private car. The bus journey takes approximately 2 hours, while the train ride is about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
