Old-growth forests have large trees, snags, fallen logs, and understory vegetation of native plant species. Giant pandas primarily depend on abundant bamboo found in the temperate broadleaf and conifer forests at middle altitudes (about 300m-460m.

The major habitat of the giant panda lies at 2600–3700 m altitudes of the Qinling, Daba, Minshan, Qionglai, Liangshan, and Hengduan Mountains. Their distribution also includes mountains at elevations of some 1300-3500 m above sea level, such as Qin Ling Mountains; Minshan Mountains, Qionglai Mountains, Eastern Himalayas, and western Hengduan Mountain.