The Giant Panda Breeding Research Base is the best place to see Chengdu's most famous residents. The city zoo is very depressing and best avoided but the institute 18km from the town center, houses 12 bears in good conditions.

The panda has long been associated with China, and although they are no longer given as gifts to visiting officials, China's pandas still face the huge problem of extinction. The Museum here graphically details the bears reproductive problems and there is also a large Breeding ground at the site. Researchers here recently announced that they plan to give the pandas the drug Viagra in an attempt to raise numbers. These creatures are notoriously reluctant to breed and scientists hope that by giving the pandas Viagra, they will boost the bear's sex drive and improve the chances of reproduction.

The center is located on the mountain of Futoushan in the northern suburbs of the city. Staff recommend that the best time to visit is in the morning, between 8.30 and 10am, during feeding time. Outside these hours it's likely the bears will be indulging in their favorite pastime, sleeping.