Beyond MoCo

National Zoo Announces Giant Pandas Will Leave For China in Mid-November

By MCS Staff

The National Zoo announced on Wednesday that Giant pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji will leave for China by mid-November. “Make sure to plan your visit or tune in online to the Giant Panda Cam for your panda fix.” Entry passes are required for all Zoo guests, however they are free.

As part of the terms of the Zoo’s current Giant Panda Cooperative Research and Breeding Agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, all three giant pandas will return to China by Dec. 7 when the agreement ends. The Zoo entered into this agreement in Dec. 2000 when Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arrived at the Zoo. More information below:

  • Free Entry Passes are required for all guests*, including children and infants
  • Passes open for reservation on a rolling basis, 4 weeks in advance
  • Limited amount of same-day passes offered at Zoo entrances for visitors without access to the online system
  • Passes allow entry 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (summer) and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (winter)
  • For parties of 15 or more, please use the group ticketing option.

Entry passes can be reserved here.