Written by Natalia |
Are you eager to take care of giant pandas and curious about the daily work as a panda keeper? Here comes an opportunity for you to achieve your dream by joining the giant panda volunteer tours in Chengdu, China.
As a panda volunteer, you will contribute to the daily care of giant pandas with the guidance of professional panda keepers. Instead of faraway observation, participating in the program gives you a chance to prepare nutritious food for pandas, clean their enclosures, and take care of the pandas in person.
This China panda tourĀ is not only about learning panda knowledge and the culture of Chengdu, but also gives you an insight into Chinaās conservation of wild animals. Taking part in our panda volunteer programs will leave you with an unforgettable memory of getting close to pandas, more importantly, you will also have a strong sense of satisfaction and achievements for your contribution to protecting endangered species in China.
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- Why Join Panda Volunteer ProgramsĀ in China?
- Where Can You Volunteer with Pandas in China?
- What Do Panda Volunteers Do?
- How to Apply for a Panda Volunteer Program in China
- When Is the Best Time to Volunteer with Pandas?
- FAQ about Panda Volunteer Program in China
- Plan your China panda tour with China Xian Tour
Why Join Panda Volunteer ProgramsĀ in China?
If you want to be a volunteer panda keeper, China must be your best choice. As the hometown of giant pandas, China gives you an insight into the most natural habitat of pandasĀ and helps you understand their whole ecosystem. You can observe the real lives and habits of pandasĀ in this familiar and natural environment.
Pandas are the national treasure of China and an important Chinese cultural symbol. Working as a panda volunteer is also a bridge for you to know more about Chinese cultureĀ and understand the unique role of pandas in the connection between China and other countries.
In addition, China has the most professional teams and knowledge of giant pandas. If you are curious about the knowledge of panda reproduction and wild reintroduction, the panda volunteer experiences in China will give you an answer. Under the guidance of expert panda keepers and researchers, you will not only take care of pandas in person but also hear a lot of interesting stories relating to pandas.
Contribute to giant panda conservation
Panda conservation in China has achieved great results and has become a successful global example for wildlife protection. During the past few decades, China has researched advanced artificial breeding technology, created many natural reserves, and strictly addressed poaching.
Chinaās efforts have greatly increased the number of pandas in both the wild environment and protected bases, which downgrades pandas from an endangered species to a vulnerable species. Joining Chinaās panda volunteer programĀ toursĀ also gives you an opportunity to contribute your power to Chinaās wild animal reservation.
Opportunity for a hands-on panda experienceĀ and learn more knowledge
Pandas have a cute appearance and love eating bamboo. They have a strong biting force and digestive capabilities to deal with tough bamboo. Although the adult pandas are of a large size with 80 to 125 kilograms, their characteristics are gentle. They prefer to stay alone for eating or sleeping most of the time and will not attack other animals. The mother pandas only give birth to one baby each time, so the reproduction difficulty was one of the main reasons for their previous endangerment.
As an endangered species, many people only know giant pandas through documentaries and online information. However, the facts and knowledge of pandasĀ are far more than these. Our Chengdu panda volunteer program provides a chance for you to gain this panda knowledge through firsthand experiences.
Suggested Chengdu panda volunteer tour
Benefits for being panda volunteers in China
Whether you are animal lovers, families, or eco-tourists, participating in Chinaās panda volunteer programs will surely give you a lot of gains.
For animal lovers, you will have an extremely close connection with giant pandas instead of being a visitor outside the fence. Preparing delicious food and cleaning the enclosure for pandas will give you a sense of satisfaction and intimacy. Moreover, working with panda experts will answer all your curiosities about pandas and help you learn comprehensive knowledge of pandas.
For families, being a volunteer panda keeper is an interactive education for children to understand the meaning of life, which may also cultivate their respect for nature and sense of responsibility. In addition, the volunteer experience provides a valuable chance for families to work towards a common goal, enhancing the bond and closeness between family members.
For eco-tourists, the Chengdu panda volunteer programs will help you understand how an endangered species is closely connected to the local economy and culture. Being a volunteer allows you to experience the successful wildlife reservation case, giving you a sense of achievement for protecting the ecosystem and nature.
Exploration ofĀ cultureĀ in Sichuan province
The relationship between pandas and the culture of Sichuan province is inseparable. Sichuan province is the main habitat of pandas, so the gentle characteristics of pandas can also be found in Sichuan peopleās lifestyle. Local people enjoy a leisurely and slow life pace and have an optimistic life attitude. The panda image appears everywhere in Sichuan province, representing the local people’s life philosophy of harmony between humans and nature.
Where Can You Volunteer with Pandas in China?
There are three places to see pandas in Sichuan province and take part in the panda volunteer programs: Dujiangyan Panda Base, Wolong Panda Base, and Bifengxia Panda Base.
Dujiangyan Panda Base Volunteer Program
- Location: Qingchengshan Town, Dujiangyan City, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
- Distances from Chengdu: 70 kilometers
- Cost for the panda volunteer program: About CNY1500-1700
The location of the Dujiangyan Panda baseĀ is near Chengdu, which is about 70 kilometers and only takes 1.5 hours driving. This panda base provides a one-day volunteer experience. The main duties include preparing nutritious meals for the panda, cleaning their enclosures, learning panda protection knowledge, and observing pandas closely. The Panda Base has a daily limit on the number of volunteers, so advance reservations are required.
Suggested panda volunteer tour at Dujiangyan
Wolong Panda Volunteer Experience
- Location: Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province
- Distances from Chengdu: 130 kilometers
- Cost for the panda volunteer program: About CNY1500-2300
This panda base is a little farther than the last one, which is 130 kilometers from Chengdu. It takes about 2 hours to drive to the base. This is also a one-day volunteer experience program and takes about 6-8 hours. In this program, you will clean pandasāĀ enclosures, prepare fresh bamboo, make special cakes for the pandas, and observe their behaviors. This program also needs advance reservations.
This panda base is located within the Wolong National Nature Reserve, so you will understand the economy and habitat of pandas more deeply. The experts in this panda base will also introduce some research to you, enriching your knowledge of panda reproduction and wild reintroduction.
Suggested tour
Bifengxia Panda Base
- Location: Bifengxia Scenic Area, Yaāan City, Sichuan province
- Distances from Chengdu: 150 kilometers
- Cost for the panda volunteer program: About CNY1580-3680
Bifengxia Panda BaseĀ is the farthest one. It is 150 kilometers from Chengdu, which takes 2.5 hours to drive to the Bifengxia Scenic Area. It is an important component of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. This panda base provides both a one-day experience and a deep 3-day experience.
In addition to carrying and washing fresh bamboo, cleaning the houses of the pandas, and observing their behaviors, the professionals in this panda base will also teach volunteers knowledge about information conveyed by different panda feces. This program is a valuable opportunity for animal lovers and eco-tourists to learn related knowledge deeply.
Comparison of the Three Panda Bases for Volunteering
Ā |
Dujiangyan Panda Base |
Wolong PandaĀ Base |
Bifengxia Panda Base |
Distances |
70 km |
130 km |
150 km |
Numbers of Pandas |
About 30 |
About 50 |
About 60 |
Ages of Pandas |
Old pandas in retirement period |
Young pandas during rehabilitation period |
Baby pandas and adultĀ pandas |
Numbers of Visitors |
Largest number of visitors |
Moderate numbers of visitors |
Relatively a smallerĀ number of visitors |
What Do Panda Volunteers Do?
Although different panda volunteer programs may provide specific experiences (e.g., Bifengxia panda base introduces knowledge of different panda feces), the main activities and arrangements of volunteer programs are similar.
Daily Schedule of a Panda Volunteer
8:00 AM |
Washing and preparing fresh bamboo or apples for pandas |
10:00 AM |
Cleaning enclosures of pandas |
12:00 AM |
Having lunch and rest |
13:00 PM |
Closely observing behaviors of pandas |
15:00 PM |
Making special cakes for pandas as complementary food |
16:00 PM |
Issuing volunteer certificates |
Can You Hold or Hug a Panda in China?
Based on current policy, volunteers are not allowed to hold or hug a panda. The giant pandas are wild animals with potential aggression, so hugging a panda may not be safe for volunteers. Besides, humans may carry some bacteria or viruses that might be harmful to pandasāĀ health, so avoiding close contact is also an important way to protect pandas.
How to Apply for a Panda Volunteer Program in China
Application process
- Book with an officially authorized travel agency, like China Xian Tour.
- Select the date you want to participate in and provide the number of participants.
- Provide your personal information (name and passport number) for the production of certificates
- Online payment of fees and confirm the successful reservation
Documents needed
For international visitors, you need to provide your passport information for online reservation and prepare visa to enter China. Besides, on the day of volunteer activity, you also need to bring your passport to facilitate the staff in confirming your identity and making the certificate.
Booking via Agencies vs. Directly
You can either choose to reserve through the official website by yourself or ask an agency to help you reserve. For direct reservations, the service of the panda volunteer program usually includes volunteer experience and tickets. The cost may be relatively low, but there is no pickup and delivery service or translation service.
If you book the program with CXT, it will be more convenient because you just need to provide your information and the date you want to participate. The agency will help to reserve the program, buy the ticket, arrange for meals, provide pickup and delivery services, and provide language support.
When Is the Best Time to Volunteer with Pandas?
From March to May and from September to November each year are usually ideal times to participate in panda volunteer activities.
Many baby pandas are born from July to September, so during March to May and September to November, the baby pandas have already developed some capacities for action. Therefore, participating in the panda volunteer program during this period has a larger possibility of observing and interacting with baby pandas.
In addition, these months avoid holidays with great numbers of visitors such as the summer vacation and the National Holiday, which may help to improve your volunteer experience. The climate in Sichuan provinceĀ during these months is pleasant, which is also suitable for volunteers to participate in outdoor activities.
Suggested tour
FAQ about Panda Volunteer Program in China
Can kids volunteer with pandas?
Of course! Children are welcome to take part in the panda volunteer program, but need to satisfy specific age requirements (usually above 8 years old). The participation of children usually needs to be accompanied by a parent.
Is volunteering with pandas ethical?
A formal and official panda volunteer program is ethicalĀ because it is guided by animal welfare and professional science.
Can seniors volunteer with pandas
The elderly can participate in the panda volunteer activities but they are usually required to be under 70 years oldĀ and in good health.
Do volunteers get to interact directly with giant pandas?
Considering the safety of both volunteers and pandas, the current policy does not allow volunteers to interact or feed directly with giant pandas. The volunteer activities mainly include cleaning pandasāĀ enclosures and preparing meals.
Are accommodation and meals included in the program?
Sure! The panda base will provide lunch in their canteen for one-day program and accommodationĀ will be provided for three-day program.
What about the cost of participating in the program, and what does it cover?
For one-day program, the cost usually is about CNY 1500-1700, and it includes pickup and delivery service, tickets, lunch, volunteer certificate, uniforms and activity insurance.
Can international volunteers join the program?
Of course! These volunteer panda program welcome the participation of international visitors. We have reserve and arrange the volunteer activities for many internation visitors. If you are interested in these programs, welcome to contact us for booking.
Will I receive a certificate or proof of participation?
Yes! After finishing all activities, the panda base will issue a certificate with personal name for every volunteer.
Plan your China panda tour with China Xian Tour
The protection of giant pandas needs the support and contributions of everyone, so many panda bases provide panda volunteer programs for people to experience taking care of pandas in person and learn more knowledge. Taking part in panda volunteer programs is a unique tour that combines love, responsibility, and an unforgettable experience. Sichuan province is the hometown of giant pandas, so participating in the Chengdu panda volunteer program not only gives you an opportunity to get close to pandas but also helps you to know more about Sichuan culture.
Are you ready to participate in the volunteer panda program? We are waiting and expecting you to begin your Chengdu panda tour with China Xian Tour. We have rich experience in booking panda programs for international visitors and maintain a close relationship with different panda bases. No matter which Panda Base you prefer, we will provide you with the best service and greatest experience. We canāt wait to start the China panda tour with you!
