Chengdu Panda Picture Program
 

So I had been planning to do this tour when in Chengdu. But, upon checking with the St Regis for tour and cost options, they said that picture program is closed. Which would really suck.

Can anyone else confirm that's accurate information? There are no other options in China to get a picture with a panda?

Did you call the hotel or one of the panda places?

It has been cancelled for a while.

The hotel

Here's a couple places that appear to still be offering photo opportunities.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...enter-Che.html


Andiseelmann
2
Reviewed 5 days ago via mobile
1 day Panda volunteer in Wolong Chine Giant Panda GardenWe did this activitie a few days ago with our guide Snow, she Spoke perfect English and was really kind, helped us to take pictures and videos during the hole activity. We highly recommend this tour to Wolong, as we learned, is the best place...More


https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...ghts-panda.jpg
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...ghts-panda.jpg
Date of experience: January 2019

I don't think they got panda selfies though. One of the very recent reviews says the panda photo program was cancelled.

Yeah, that's something different.

I'm actually now wondering if I should skip Chengdu.

There are four panda bases around Chengdu. chengdu panda base,wolong panda base,dujiangyan panda base,ya'an panda base.
Yesterday, I went to Wolong Panda Base with two panda volunteers.Yesterday's guests did not hold panda.
Yes, the service has stopped now. we don't know when to open it again.
This policy is constantly changing.Last January, the service was discontinued....But last March, it was opened again.
what time your trip?

So I'm guessing all 4 bases have enacted the same policies?

I was planning to be in Chengdu for 3 nights starting Mar 11.

On March 11,,,,,, oh~, I don't know yet. If you are lucky enough, it will be open. This service is at Wolong Panda Base.
Wolong Panda Base, where there are the largest number of pandas, 62 pandas, now.Yesterday we saw 11 baby pandas.
In Chengdu Panda Base, such service was discontinued in April 2016.
There are only 20 pandas in Dujiangyan Panda Base. There is no baby panda.The Panda Base stopped such service last November.

I'll have to give it some thought if I want to visit Chengdu. There is the giant buddha but I was planning on 2 full days, 1 day for the pandas and 1 day for the big buddha. Seems like a ton of work to get there just for 1 activity.

I suggest your itinerary.
day1,in the morning go to leshan,you visit in leshan giant buddha.afternoon back to chengdu,you visit in city center,Wuhou Temple, Jinli,old street.
day2,go to wolong panda base,to do panda volunteer.....

I honestly don't have much interest in the pandas if I can't get the selfie. It's just like going to a zoo.

Not quite like in a zoo but your call.
It wasn't stop for lack of babies, it was for health reasons. The pandas' health.
You just saved yourself a ton of money.