4 Days Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Tour with Panda Volunteer Program

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Program, Train to Jiuzhaigou
   Learn about Panda’s Daily life and Make Efforts for Them

   After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel in downtown Chengdu, and drive about 1.5 hours to Dujiangyan Panda Base. This base is the only scientific research institution in China dedicated to the prevention and control of panda diseases and the rescue of wild pandas. The park will refresh you with not only the cute pandas, but also the surrounding green trees, verdant bamboo, birds and flowers, fresh air, as well as vast lawns and winding paths.

   Here’s what you’ll do as a panda volunteer:

   1. Put on your uniform and help clean where the pandas live and play outside.
   2. With help from the panda keepers, you’ll split and carry bamboo for the pandas.
   3. Watch how the staff feeds the pandas and learn about their daily care.
   4. Have lunch at the panda base.
   5. Watch a short film to understand more about panda behavior and history.
   6. Learn to make “Wowotou” (steamed bread of corn) - one of their favorite foods.
   7. Before you leave, get a special certificate to remember your volunteer day.

   After the activities, drive back to Chengdu for a high-speed train to Jiuzhaigou for an overnight stay.

   Friendly Tips:

   • You need to book the Panda Volunteer Project with your passport at least one week before the visit.
   • Prepare a copy of your passport in advance and send it to your travel consultant for booking purposes.

   Meal: Lunch

   Accommodation: in Jiuzhaigou

   

2. Day 2: Sightseeing in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
   Shining Lakes, Powerful Waterfalls, and Glassy Ponds that Reflect the Sky

   Today, you need to wake up early to visit Jiuzhaigou Valley before it gets crowded. This beautiful place, listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, looks different in every season. Especially in autumn, the colorful trees make Jiuzhaigou a dream spot for people who love photography and nature.

   Once you get to the Tourist Center, hop on a sightseeing bus straight to Rize Valley, which sits between Nuorilang Waterfall and the virgin forest. This area is the highlight of Jiuzhaigou. Here, you’ll see bright, colorful lakes, big waterfalls, and tall old trees. Must-see spots include the beautiful Five Flower Lake, the lovely Pearl Shoal Waterfall, and the Panda Lake (it is said that the pandas in Jiuzhaigou like to drink and look for food here, so it is named).

   At Norilang Center Station, take time for lunch (at your own expense). After that, the trip continues to Zechawa Valley, where you’ll visit the main sights - Changhai (Long) Lake and the Wucaichi (Five-color) Lake. The water in the ponds is so clear that you can see the shapes and patterns on the rocks below. Because of the mix of plants and different colors in the soil around the edges, the blue water turns into a mix of beautiful colors.

   Last, you will explore Shuzheng Valley, close to the main entrance of the park. The biggest highlight is Nuorilang Waterfall. It’s 270 meters wide and 24.5 meters tall, making it the widest and one of the largest calcified waterfalls in China. There's a viewing platform across from the falls where you can take in the full view and snap great pictures. Autumn is the best season to enjoy its beauty.

   Other places in the valley you shouldn’t miss include Shuzheng Lakes, Bonsai Beach, and Spark Lake, each offering amazing views.

   Note: Expect a long time outdoors sightseeing today. Please bring your hat, glasses, and sunscreen to avoid the strong ultraviolet rays.

   After your sightseeing, you’ll return to the hotel for a good rest.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Jiuzhaigou

   

3. Day 3: Huanglong National Park
   See Nature’s Colors in Hundreds of Bright Pools

   After breakfast, drive to Huanglong Scenic Area where you will spend around 4 hours sightseeing. A famous scenic and historic interest area, Huanglong highlights its colorful lakes, snow-covered mountains, lush forests, and deep canyons. Beyond these, you can also expect hot springs, ancient temples, waterfalls, travertine caves, and etc. You are recommended to take the cable-way to get up and down the mountain.

   The essence of Huanglong is the Five-Colored Pond. It’s made up of 693 small, colorful pools that sit among the mountains. These pools were shaped by natural mineral deposits over time. Seen from above, they look like a giant painter’s palette laid out on the ground. In addition, Huanglong Temple (a grand old Buddhist site) and Golden Sand Pavement (a long, wide stretch of bright, mineral-rich land) are worth a visit.

   Tip:

   Due to the high altitude of the Huanglong Scenic Area, altitude sickness may be caused. Please take along your anti-altitude drugs.

   After the tour, we will drive to Songpan Ancient Town, which is located in the northwest of Sichuan Province. It is frequented by many visitors because the historical traces can be seen in every corner. The blue city walls, ancient bridges, tea houses, tall city gates, low buildings, and surrounding green hills are just a part of its many attractive features.

   We will drive you to the hotel in Chuanzhusi for check-in at the end of the day.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: in Chuanzhusi

   

4. Day 4: High-speed Train Back to Chengdu
   Time-hop through Qing's Alleys, Taste Local Snacks and Art Flavors

   After breakfast, you will be escorted to Huanglongjiuzhai Railway Station for a high-speed rail back to Chengdu city, arriving in about 2 hours. After lunch, the tour guide will take you to visit Kuanzhai Alley. An ancient block dating from the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911), Kuanzhai Alley is the collective name for Wide Alley, Narrow Alley, and Well Alley. It is now a leisure and living area packed with a lot of restaurants, souvenir stores, tea houses, and pubs. You will get a rare chance to enjoy the ear-picking service and face-changing opera. (optional, at your own expense)

   Then, you can go to Jinli Street, another must-visit site in Chengdu. It is a gourmet street loaded with many local food stalls and souvenir shops selling lacquer products, folk handicrafts, curios, calligraphy, etc.

   After that, your 4-day Jiuzhaigou tour with the panda volunteer program comes to an end. You will be sent back to your hotel. If you want airport drop-off service, please book a flight departing after 8 pm.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A