Where to find giant pandas in the United States

Giant pandas are China's national treasure and have long been popular with people around the world. Over the years, many pandas have traveled from China to the United States.

Visitors watch Bao Li and Qing Bao at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on January 24, 2025 in Washington, D.C., United States. (Photo: VCG)

At the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., 5-year-olds Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived from China in 2024. Bao Li is the third generation of his family to have a connection with the zoo. The pair have since become familiar faces to visitors in the US capital.

Xin Bao is observed by a visitor reflected on the glass surrounding Panda Ridge at the San Diego Zoo on August 7, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo: VCG)

On the other side of the country, San Diego Zoo is home to 6-year-old Yun Chuan and 5-year-old Xin Bao. They arrived in June 2024. The two now live at Panda Ridge. Yun Chuan has a special connection to San Diego: his mother, Zhen Zhen, was born there in 2007.

Fu Shuang enjoys a birthday feast prepared by the keepers at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding on October 18, 2023 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. (Photo: VCG)

Zoo Atlanta is also set to welcome two new pandas. In April 2026, the zoo announced that 6-year-old Ping Ping and 5-year-old Fu Shuang will come to Atlanta under a new 10-year cooperation agreement. The two are still in China, and a date for their move to the US has not yet been announced.