***Please note that this Visiting the National Zoo’s Giant Pandas Guide was written and contains the most up-to-date information as of October 2025. This most will be updated and re-circulated periodically when applicable.***

THE PANDAS ARE BAAAACCKKK!!!! At Washington, DC’s National Zoo over the decades, seeing the giant pandas have become a popular attraction to visitors from all across the world. Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I shared that I recently went to meet and welcome the new-to-Washington, DC National Zoo giant panda duo: Bao Li and Qing Bao. While it was such an exciting experience to meet Washington, DC’s newest panda residents, it was also quite a memorable experience, too. This blog post is going to focus on guiding YOU through your own experience to meet Bao Li and Qing Bao! Check out this guide on visiting the National Zoo’s giant pandas.

Visiting the Washington National Zoo’s Pandas Guide

Since Bao Li and Qing Bao made their grand entrances in the nation’s capital, I have been fortunate enough to visit them not once but twice. The first time, I went solo in February 2025 during their first few weeks in Washington, DC and with my college best friends Hannah and Alanna when they came to visit in late March 2025 during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Please note that my guide is based off of both of my experiences visiting the giant pandas at the National Zoo.

About + History of the National Zoo’s Pandas:

The National Zoo has been gifted a duo of giant pandas since February 1972 when former President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon visited China. On their Presidential visit to China (which was a historical visit and moment in itself), First Lady Pat Nixon fondly described the pandas to Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. In response to Mrs. Nixon, Premier Zhou Enlai gifted a duo of pandas to the United States for all to see and meet at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. And, on April 16, 1972, a notable giant panda day in history went down as the first-ever giant pandas duo Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling were introduced at the National Zoo. To this very day, the giant pandas at the National Zoo, while they bring so much love and joy to us all, are a symbolic reminder of the friendship between the United States and China.

Ways To Give Back:

If you LOVE pandas, then there are several ways to support them whether it be at the National Zoo or beyond. One of the best ways to support the National Zoo’s giant pandas, whether you visit or not, is to give back. There are a variety of ways to do so, including becoming a National Zoo member to support conservation efforts, Shop panda merch online, Give to a conservation fund, or visit the giant pandas at the National Zoo (a free way to show your support!). For more information on all of the ways to give back to support pandas, then look no further than here.

In addition to monetary support and visiting the pandas, the National Zoo also hosts various events throughout the year. Although no zoo animals are on display, every holiday season the National Zoo hosts its annual ZooLights where all proceeds from ticket purchases go towards animal conservation efforts. There are also other several events in addition to ZooLights that the National Zoo hosts where you can support conservation efforts throughout the year.

Getting There:

Street Address: 3001 Connecticut Avenue, Northwest

The National Zoo has a unique location in Washington, DC! It is located in the Woodley Park neighborhood just a few blocks away from the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro Station on the Red Line. From major Metro stations such as Metro Center and Gallery Place, visitors can transfer to and from other Metro lines to the Red Line and take the Red Line train from Metro Center/Gallery Place towards Shady Grove. It is also worth noting that the National Zoo does have parking onsite at an additional cost for a flat rate of $30/vehicle. See more information on getting there here: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit/parking-directions

Admission:

The giant pandas have been at the National Zoo and loved by so many people since 1972. The Washington National Zoo is apart of the Smithsonian Institution – research institution and group of museums and institutions many of which are in Washington, DC lining the National Mall – meaning that it is FREE for all guests to visit. One thing to note about the National Zoo is that all visitors must reserve a timed-entry pass online in advance upon entering. All visitors will have to go through a security checkpoint and show their tickets upon entry. Click here to reserve a free entry pass by date.

My Experience:

Overall, getting to meet Bao Li and Qing Bao was a MAJOR treat (!!!!). The signage at the National Zoo to go meet the giant pandas is pretty well-marked and leads you amongst the crowds to go and welcome them. However, I will note that since many people are coming to see the pandas to be prepared for heavy crowds and some stand-still moments while waiting to see them. According to the signage at the National Zoo, giant pandas eat approximately 16 hours a day, which means that they will potentially be chilling inside adorably chomping on some bamboo. The giant pandas were, in fact, chomping on some bamboo when I went to see them. Hence, Bao Li and Qing Bao were in the indoors section eating, making it a bit confusing to go and see them. The indoors section of the giant pandas section is crowd controlled and it takes some walking to get there. Being fully transparent that there weren’t a bit of staff there to guide us, which made all of us in the crowd initially a bit confused. However, once I realized that I had made it to where the pandas were, my utter confusion went away and getting to meet Bao Li and Qing Bao was SOOO worth it all!!

Tips:

• The last admittance into the National Zoo is 3pm in the Winter season and to see the giant pandas will be a bit earlier. The gates of the National Zoo’s entryways WILL close at 3pm during the Winter hours. Plan to arrive by 1-2pm at the latest. Be sure to look up the National Zoo’s hours and plan accordingly as they do vary per season.
• Arrive as early as possible, as the crowds do get bigger the closer you get to 3pm. I left the National Zoo around 2pm and there was a big crowd of people and a line at the entryway. At that time, the National Zoo had also reached their capacity for the day of allowing visitors to come in if they did not reserve a timed-entry pass upon arrival. Those guests were turned away.
• It may be confusing when it comes to where the pandas are at the time that you visit. Sometimes, the pandas are outside and sometimes they are inside. It can get rather confusing, but be patient and follow the crowds no matter how overwhelming they may get.
• Be sure to reserve that free entry pass in advance! Chances are if you arrive early enough, you may be able to still reserve that entry pass at the security checkpoint, however, you may not be able to. It is worth noting that free entry passes are available all throughout the day of the date that you select it for.
• Be ready for crowds and simply follow them to get to see the giant pandas. Yes, *even* if it is crowded and confusing and agonizing, you’ll get there. Don’t worry and wait it out!
• To avoid the crowds, it is suggested to go in the morning on a weekend when doors open or on a weekday especially in the off-season. It is worth noting that Peak travel season such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Summer will bring in more crowds.

And, last but not least, be sure to check out the ADORABLE … Panda Cam! The Panda Cam is live daily from 7am-7pm and a pre-recorded version will be shared the 12 hours in between. Check it out here!

Wrap-Up:

The giant pandas at Washington, DC’s National Zoo are the only place where visitors can see giant pandas for free. That all makes visiting the National Zoo’s giant pandas such a privilege! Truly, the giant pandas bring me and the world so much joy and have a beautiful meaning behind them: friendship despite our differences in this ever-evolving world.

XOXO – Katie <3