Ya'an Bifengxia | Dujiangyan | Wolong Panda Volunteer Program
CD-11: 1 Day Panda Volunteer Experience
The Giant Panda Volunteer Program offers more than just the opportunity to observe pandas; it allows participants to be actively involved in panda conservation efforts. You'll avoid the crowded viewing areas by accessing exclusive staff-only paths, and alongside professional panda keepers, you'll learn about the feeding and care of these beloved animals. Experience a day in the life of a panda caretaker, and upon completion, receive a volunteer certificate as a mark of your contribution to panda conservation.
Trip Highlights
- You have the option to choose from three different locations (Dujiangyan, Wolong, Bifengxia), and if you'd like to visit different Panda Bases over several days, simply let our travel experts know, and they'll arrange everything for you.
- Work closely with giant panda keepers at China's largest panda sanctuary, learn about the conservation efforts for this vulnerable species, and assist in caring for the pandas.
- Become part of the efforts to protect these amazing animals.
Map of this Trip
Full itinerary for Ya'an Bifengxia | Dujiangyan | Wolong Panda Volunteer Program
At the Ya'an Bifengxia Base of China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) or Ya'an Bifengxia Giant Panda Base, you can observe a delightful population of around 40 giant pandas. The base welcomes a large number of visitors, creating a lively atmosphere for all. The park is lush with trees, providing a tranquil environment for both the pandas and guests.
The spacious enclosures offer an ideal living space for the pandas, and you may even spot them climbing high into the trees to rest. For younger visitors, the base features a panda nursery where you can see adorable panda cubs playing and frolicking around.
In addition to the panda base, there are other nearby attractions worth exploring, including Bifengxia Gorge and a wildlife park.
Itinerary for the Bifengxia Panda Volunteer Experience
07:00 - 08:50
Pickup at your hotel (Please note that pickup times may vary; the guide will notify you the evening before regarding the exact time.) Following this, you will drive to Bifengxia Panda Base.
08:50 - 10:00
Assist in removing leftover bamboo and replenishing fresh bamboo supplies.
10:00 - 11:00
Tour various panda enclosures and learn interesting stories and facts about giant pandas.
11:00 - 12:00
Visit the Scientific & Educational Museum of Giant Pandas.
12:00 - 13:00
Enjoy lunch in the dining hall with staff and take a break at the service center.
13:00 - 14:00
Watch a documentary film about panda conservation and the efforts to protect giant pandas.
14:00 - 14:40
Learn how to make panda cakes and prepare them under the guidance of the staff.
14:40 - 15:30
Create your own panda-themed handicraft.
15:30 - 16:00
Complete your tasks, return your working cards, gloves, and suits, receive your certificate and souvenirs, and take a group photo to commemorate your experience. The panda volunteer program concludes here!
16:00
Guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Chengdu.
Please note that the itinerary and schedule may be subject to temporary adjustments based on the health and well-being of the giant pandas.
The Dujiangyan Base of China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) or Dujiangyan China Giant Panda Garden (Dujiangyan Panda Base) is an official research institution primarily focused on disease prevention and field rescue of giant pandas, making it the only facility of its kind in China. The base is home to 20-30 giant pandas, and apart from pandas, visitors can also see other wildlife such as red pandas, black bears, and golden pheasants. It is the most popular base for panda enthusiasts, receiving the highest number of visitors and participants for panda-related experiences. Due to its popularity, it can be challenging to secure reservations, especially during peak seasons. However, the base is easily accessible via public transportation from downtown Chengdu, making it convenient for tourists to visit.
One-Day Panda Keeper Tour Itinerary at Dujiangyan Panda Base
07:00 - 07:20
Pickup at your Chengdu hotel.
07:20 - 08:50
Travel to Panda Base.
09:00 - 09:20
Safety briefing and signing of the security agreement. Participants will don work suits and gloves.
09:20 - 10:00
Activities include cleaning the area, transporting and preparing bamboo, observing pandas, and learning about their habits.
11:30 - 12:50
Lunch with staff at the restaurant.
12:50 - 13:50
Watch a documentary on panda conservation.
13:50 - 14:30
Prepare food for rescued pandas and learn to make Wowotou, a special panda cake.
14:30 - 15:00
Cut fresh bamboo leaves for elderly pandas.
15:00 Onwards
Receive a certificate and souvenirs upon completing the program. Lastly, your guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Chengdu.
Please note that the itinerary and schedule may be subject to temporary adjustments based on the health and well-being of the giant pandas.
At the Wolong Zhonghua Panda Shenshuping Base (Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base), visitors can observe around 30 giant pandas. With fewer participants, the experience offers a more intimate and enjoyable visit.
Situated in a prime giant panda habitat, the base boasts an excellent ecological environment. The area is also known for its stunning natural scenery, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Schedule for the Panda Keeper Experience at Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base
07:00 - 08:45
Pickup at your hotel (Please note that pickup times may vary; the guide will inform you the evening before of the exact time.) After pickup, you will drive to Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base.
08:45 - 09:30
Complete necessary procedures, including signing the safety agreement and health commitment form. You will receive your work attire and gloves before proceeding to the panda breeding area.
09:30 - 10:30
Under the guidance of panda keepers and educators, assist in cleaning panda enclosures, removing panda waste, and providing fresh bamboo for the pandas.
10:30 - 11:30
Explore the park and learn interesting stories and scientific facts about giant pandas.
11:30 - 12:30
Enjoy lunch and take a break.
12:30 - 13:30
Delve into the world of giant pandas through an engaging documentary.
13:30 - 14:30
Learn about the diets and digestive systems of both captive and wild giant pandas, and participate in making Wowotou (a type of panda cake).
14:30 - 15:00
Return your work attire and receive your certificate and souvenirs. Lastly, your guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Chengdu.
Please note that the itinerary and timing may change due to the health and working conditions of the giant pandas.
What's Included
- Private English-speaking guide service
- Transfers between the Panda Base and your hotel in Chengdu
- Entrance ticket for scenic area
- Panda keeper program fee
- A simple Chinese lunch
Panda Volunteering Notes
- No perfume, cologne, or nail polish. Stay healthy (no colds).
- Wear proper shoes (no slippers or Crocs).
- Late arrivals may miss activities, with no rescheduling or refunds.
FAQs about Panda Volunteer Program
How to Choose a Panda Base?
Most tourists (80%-90%) choose the Dujiangyan Panda Base for its convenient location and variety of animals, including giant pandas, red pandas, and black bears.
If you're looking for a more remote and unique experience, consider the Shenshuping Panda Base or Bifengxia Panda Base. These locations are less crowded, offering a more peaceful and immersive visit.
What is the best time to see pandas?
You can visit pandas year-round, but each season offers a different experience:
Spring: Pandas are more active during their annual mating season.
Summer: Panda cubs are born, especially at the Chengdu Research Base, but they tend to stay indoors due to the heat. Expect large crowds during summer holidays.
Autumn: After the National Day holiday, crowds thin, and cooler weather makes the pandas more playful.
Winter: Pandas are very active in the cold. If you're lucky, you might see them rolling in the snow at Wolong or Ya'an bases.
No matter the season, pandas in Sichuan are ready to welcome you!
Why Do We Help Pandas Break Bamboo?
In the wild, pandas live about 15-20 years, while in captivity, they can live 25-30 years. A major reason for this difference is that wild pandas wear down their teeth by chewing tough bamboo, leading to early tooth loss and difficulty eating.
In captivity, keepers help by breaking the bamboo into smaller pieces, which protects the pandas' teeth and extends their lifespan.
Why Do Keepers Make "Wowotou" for Pandas?
In the wild, pandas sometimes supplement their diet with small animals or carrion to get essential nutrients. In captivity, keepers provide these nutrients through "wowotou" (steamed buns).
Wowotou is made from a mix of bamboo powder, soybean powder, cornmeal, rice flour, sugar, calcium, salt, and eggs. The ingredients are blended, shaped by hand, steamed, and stored. Each wowotou weighs about 300-400 grams, and pandas are fed four times a day with carefully measured portions.
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