Holding a panda in Chengdu is currently not permitted, as the practice was suspended across various facilities, including the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, following the COVID-19 pandemic and increased government protection for the endangered species. Prior to these restrictions, visitors could pay a fee of approximately 2,000 CNY (about $300 to $320 USD) for a brief two-minute interaction or photo opportunity, often rationalized as a donation to conservation efforts. While direct holding is no longer an option, travelers can still participate in "Panda Keeper" or volunteer programs at nearby locations like the Dujiangyan Panda Base. These programs typically cost between 1,000 and 2,000 CNY ($150 to $300 USD) and involve activities such as cleaning enclosures and preparing food, though they generally do not include prolonged physical contact or holding of the pandas. For a standard visit to observe the pandas without interaction, adult entry tickets to the main Chengdu base cost 55 CNY.