The cute panda is not only deeply loved by the Chinese, but by many foreigners too, and not just children. Although there are many zoos in China and elsewhere, where you can see a giant panda, the best place to see them is Chengdu — the giant panda's "hometown".
 
There are three places you can see pandas close up:  Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center,Beijing Panda Base, and Dujiangyan Panda Valley.
Dujiangyan Panda Base — best panda volunteer program

• Location: Dujiangyan Prefecture, 67 km (41 mi) or 1½ hours from Chengdu
  Pandas: about 20
  Activities: panda viewing, holding pandas, and panda keeper program
  Suitable for: those who want a less-crowded panda volunteer program
  Time needed: 1 day
  China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda Dujiangyan Panda Base is a new panda center, established in 2014. However, it is quieter and sees less travelers than Bifengxia Panda Center, so volunteers have more time and chances to get close to the pandas.
   
  Recommended Tour
   
  Panda Keeper and Chengdu Highlights Tour: Join a Panda Keeper Program to take care of pandas. Tour most highlights of Chengdu.
   
  Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base is located in the northern suburbs of Chengdu City. It is fully equipped for giant panda breeding, with a baby panda house, several enclosures for adult pandas and cubs, health stations, a giant panda museum, and a laboratory. Thousands of bamboo plants are harvested there to feed the pandas.
   
  Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center — Most Popular

The base aims to create an approximation of the panda's wild living environment, and to train the pandas to adapt to wild living, and then releases them into the wild for the continuation and preservation of this charming and endangered species. 
 
Beijing Zoo — Easiest Access, but Most Crowded

Beijing is the largest zoo in China with the largest number of animal species and is one of the best zoos in the world. It was the first zoo to open in China. There is a panda house in the zoo, which is one of the most popular enclosures there.

For those who can make their trip to Chengdu, Beijing Zoo is a good alternative for seeing pandas. Be warned that the panda house in Beijing Zoo is always fully-packed. Our guide knows how to escape the crowds.