Quick Answer
What do giant pandas eat, where do they live, and how many are left? Fun facts about China's national treasure — and the best place to see them.
Why it matters
Despite being classified as carnivores, giant pandas eat almost entirely bamboo — around 99% of their diet. Because bamboo is low in nutrients, a panda spends 10–16 hours a day eating and gets through 12–38 kg of it daily.
TL;DR (Quick Answer)
- Diet: 99% bamboo — up to 12–38 kg a day.
- Home: the mountain forests of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu.
- Status: no longer "endangered" — upgraded to "vulnerable" as numbers recover.
- See them: the Chengdu panda guide.
What Do Giant Pandas Eat?
Despite being classified as carnivores, giant pandas eat almost entirely bamboo — around 99% of their diet. Because bamboo is low in nutrients, a panda spends 10–16 hours a day eating and gets through 12–38 kg of it daily.
Where Do Pandas Live?
Wild giant pandas live only in the misty mountain bamboo forests of central China — chiefly Sichuan, plus parts of Shaanxi and Gansu. The most accessible place to see them is the Chengdu panda base.
How Many Giant Pandas Are Left?
Thanks to decades of conservation, wild numbers have climbed to roughly 1,800, and in 2021 the giant panda was downgraded from "endangered" to "vulnerable." A symbol of global conservation success.
Fun Panda Facts
- Newborn pandas are pink, blind and about the size of a stick of butter.
- Pandas have a "pseudo-thumb" — an enlarged wrist bone — for gripping bamboo.
- A group of pandas is called an "embarrassment."
Where to See Giant Pandas
Visit early morning at feeding time — see the Chengdu panda tour guide. Build it into the 8-Day Panda & Karst route, or browse panda tours.
FAQ
What do giant pandas eat?
About 99% of a giant panda's diet is bamboo — 12–38 kg per day — supplemented very occasionally by small animals or eggs.
How many giant pandas are left in the world?
Around 1,800 in the wild. The species was reclassified from "endangered" to "vulnerable" in 2021 as numbers recovered.
Where is the best place to see giant pandas?
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan is the most accessible and ethical place to see them, especially at morning feeding time.
