1 Day Chengdu Dujiangyan Panda Base Volunteer Tour Itinerary
Dujiangyan Panda Base
The Dujiangyan Panda Base(中国大熊猫保护研究中心都江堰基地), also known as Panda Paradise, is located in the Shiqiao Village of Qingcheng Mountain Town, Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The base covers an area of 760 acres and is a primary research institute under the State Forestry and Grassland Administration. It is mainly responsible for conducting studies on wild panda ecology and population dynamics.
The Dujiangyan Panda Base is the first domestic center dedicated to panda rescue and disease prevention research, and it also serves as a popular educational base for the public. It is located in a natural corridor formed by the Qionglai and Minshan mountain ranges, allowing for gene exchange and breeding between the two largest panda populations in the world. The area boasts a perfect climate and natural environment for giant pandas, featuring lush trees, dense bamboo forests, and an air rich in bird songs and floral fragrance.
The base not only houses lively giant pandas but also supports a group of red pandas with a wild nature. The site is a sanctuary for these iconic creatures.
In January 2015, the Dujiangyan Panda Base received the “Three-Star Green Building Certification” from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China. In December 2015, the China Panda Protection and Research Center was officially inaugurated at the Wolong Panda Base in Sichuan, with the first director being Chen Fengxue, the Deputy Director of the State Forestry Administration. The Dujiangyan Panda Base opened its doors for free public access on March 1, 2024.
Geographic Location
The Dujiangyan Panda Base is located on Huai Zhong Road in Shiqiao Village, Qingcheng Mountain Town, Chengdu, and is south of the ancient town of Xijia in western Sichuan, and north of the Taoist sacred site Qingcheng Mountain. It is close to the world heritage panda habitat area and has a climate and environment suitable for giant pandas. The base is 10 kilometers from downtown Chengdu (Tianfu Square) and 30 kilometers from Shuangliu International Airport. The base is also about 70 kilometers from Tianfu International Airport.
The Panda Base is a world-renowned giant panda ex-situ conservation and research breeding center, scientific education base, and cultural tourism destination, covering an area of 3.07 square kilometers. The center is divided into seven main areas, including the disease prevention research area, quarantine and isolation area, rehabilitation and training area, public education area, natural landscape area, and office area. The public education, rehabilitation training, and natural landscape areas, covering approximately 500 acres, are open to the public.
Important Attractions
Interactive Experience Panda-Themed Museum
In 2021, the Dujiangyan Panda Base opened the world’s first interactive experience museum dedicated to giant pandas. Known as the “Panda Valley,” this research center spans 2004 acres and is located in Yutang Street, Dujiangyan City, near the ancient Dujiangyan irrigation system and the Taoist holy site Qingcheng Mountain. The center opened on April 20, 2015, and is home to more than 10 giant pandas year-round.
Linze Garden (临泽园)
The Linze Garden houses a range of companion animals, including 7 red pandas, 2 black bears, and 35 pheasants such as the red-bellied pheasant, white pheasant, and ring-necked pheasant. It also features rare plant species, including the “living fossil” Chinese dove tree, king ferns, and red bean trees, as well as bamboo species that serve as the pandas’ primary diet, such as twisted bamboo and bitter bamboo.
Panpan Garden (盼盼园)
Panpan, the mascot of the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, resides in the Panpan Garden. The garden is divided into several sections (A, B, C, and F zones), where visitors can observe pandas like Panpan, Yuanyuan, Taishan, Wuwen, and Daili.
Shuangnan Garden (双楠园)
The Shuangnan Garden is divided into three sections (D, E, and G zones), where pandas such as Xile, Gonggong, Huali, Shunshun, and Qingqing are located.
Educational and Scientific Activity Space
The educational area covers 3800 square meters and is staffed by 58 educators and over 100 volunteers. Since its opening to the public, it has received 420,000 visitors. The center has engaged over 630,000 people in panda science education activities and has held more than 400 educational events.
Chengdu Dujiangyan Panda Base Volunteer Activity Itinerary
Itinerary Overview
This private tour begins with a free hotel pickup (available within the 3rd ring road of Chengdu) where your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby holding a sign with your name. Once on board, the group will head to the Dujiangyan Panda Base to start the day’s activities according to the package you have selected. At the end of the tour, the guide will escort you back to your hotel, usually around 12:00 PM, ensuring a seamless experience.
Package 1: Half Day Chengdu Panda Tour
Morning Start: Your tour begins early in the morning, as the sun rises over the charming city of Chengdu. A professional driver will be waiting for you at your downtown hotel. After you board, you’ll enjoy a comfortable private car ride to the Dujiangyan Panda Base.
At the Panda Base: Once you arrive, a professional and experienced guide will accompany you throughout the visit. This tour is designed to offer a deep, close-up view of the pandas’ lives. You’ll be able to observe them in their natural habitats — watching them feed on bamboo, play with each other, and rest peacefully. The guide will narrate fascinating facts about the pandas’ behaviors, characteristics, and history.
Panda Conservation Insights: The tour also includes a comprehensive introduction to panda conservation projects, which help you understand the important work done at the base to protect these endangered creatures. Learn about the breeding programs, the challenges faced by panda conservationists, and how the center is contributing to the species’ long-term survival.
Return: Around midday, your driver will transport you back to your hotel in downtown Chengdu. You will be dropped off at your hotel by 12:00 PM, allowing you to enjoy the rest of your day after this enriching experience.
Package 2: Panda Keeper Volunteer Day Tour
Morning Start: Your day begins with a pickup from your hotel by your professional driver in a comfortable private car. The driver will take you to the Dujiangyan Panda Base, which is located about 1.5 hours outside of Chengdu.
At the Panda Base: Upon arrival at the Panda Base, you will be greeted by a dedicated guide who will lead you through an immersive experience. In this volunteer day tour, you will have the unique opportunity to assist in some of the daily activities at the panda base, such as cleaning the enclosures, preparing food for the pandas, and possibly even feeding them under the supervision of staff. This hands-on experience will give you a deeper connection with these gentle creatures and allow you to contribute to their well-being.
Panda Experience: Beyond your volunteering duties, you’ll also have time to observe the pandas up close. The guide will explain the pandas’ natural behaviors and the importance of the work being done at the base. You’ll witness their eating habits, playful interactions, and lazy moments, which will give you a more intimate understanding of their way of life.
Lunch and More Observations: Depending on the tour timing, you may be provided a simple lunch break during your volunteer activities. Afterward, you’ll be able to continue observing the pandas and learning more about the center’s efforts in breeding and conservation.
Return: At the end of your day, the driver will take you back to your hotel in Chengdu. You’ll be dropped off comfortably at your hotel, concluding your unforgettable panda adventure.
Panda Volunteer Tour Itinerary
The Dujiangyan Panda Base (成都都江堰大熊猫基地) offers a unique hands-on experience for panda lovers who want to support panda conservation and get an up-close view of these amazing creatures. The full-day tour provides the opportunity to engage in meaningful tasks while learning about the pandas and their environment.
Panda Tour Course
Task 1: Cleaning Panda Enclosures (任务1: 铲屎)
As part of the volunteer activities, your first task will be to clean the panda enclosures. Wearing gloves and using appropriate tools (such as a dustpan), you will help remove the panda feces from the enclosures. This task ensures a clean and hygienic environment for the pandas. Photography is not allowed during this process to prioritize the safety and health of the pandas.
Task 2: Picking Up Leftover Bamboo (任务2: 捡竹子)
After the pandas finish eating, there are often leftover bamboo or food remnants. Your second task is to wear gloves and collect these leftovers, placing them in designated containers. This task helps maintain a clean and organized space for the pandas and reduces waste.
Task 3: Breaking Bamboo (任务3: 摔竹子)
Next, you will break bamboo stalks to provide the pandas with fresh food. To do this, hold the bamboo by one end and use your body strength to snap it in half. This task helps ensure that the bamboo is broken into manageable pieces for the pandas to eat. No photos are allowed while performing this task.
Task 4: Transporting Bamboo to Panda Enclosures (任务4: 运竹子)
Once the bamboo is broken into pieces, you will transport it to the panda enclosures. This task involves carrying the bamboo to where the pandas are kept, ensuring they have a sufficient supply of food. Photography is not allowed during these tasks to maintain focus on the work being done.
Task 5: Visiting Giant Pandas and Red Pandas (任务5: 参观大熊猫与小熊猫)
After completing the tasks, you will have time to visit and observe the giant pandas (大熊猫) and red pandas (小熊猫). Red pandas are not the descendants of giant pandas, though they share some characteristics. Unlike giant pandas, red pandas have a reddish fur coat and are closer in size to raccoons. You will observe their behavior, such as eating, playing, and resting.
Task 6: Learning About Panda Companions (任务6: 大熊猫的好伙伴)
In addition to the pandas, you will learn about other animals that share the panda base. These animals live in similar habitats and are part of the base’s larger conservation efforts. Your guide will discuss the importance of maintaining biodiversity in the region.
Task 7: Watch a 50-Minute Panda Documentary (任务7: 观看熊猫纪录片)
Next, you will watch a documentary that highlights the lives of pandas in the wild and their conservation efforts. The documentary runs for about 50 minutes and provides valuable insight into the challenges pandas face in their natural habitats. This is an excellent way to enhance your understanding of pandas and their care at the base.
Dujiangyan Panda BaseFun Facts About Pandas
- Size and Weight: Adult giant pandas can grow up to nearly two meters long and weigh between 70-100 kg, about the same weight as an adult man.
- Baby Pandas: At birth, panda cubs are pink, hairless, and weigh only about 100 grams. Their distinctive black-and-white fur develops later.
- Panda Anatomy: A panda’s “pseudo-thumb,” which is an extension of the wrist bone, allows them to grasp bamboo easily.
- Diet: Pandas are primarily herbivores and eat bamboo, including the leaves, stems, and shoots. They may also eat fruit and special treats like “wo wo tou,” a type of cornmeal bun.
- Panda Cubs: Pandas usually give birth to one or two cubs, but often abandon one in favor of the other. Cubs begin eating bamboo at around six months of age.
- Panda Behavior: Pandas have no natural predators once they reach adulthood. They prefer cooler climates, which is why they are more active in the winter months and sleep more in the summer.
Lunch at the Panda Base Canteen
After completing the morning tasks, you’ll take a break for lunch at the panda base’s canteen. The meal includes traditional Chinese dishes such as oyster sauce mushrooms, rice, lotus root and pork rib soup, sweet potatoes, baby cabbage, and green vegetables. The food is fresh and tasty, and you will also be given an orange for dessert to help refresh you.
Task 9: Making “Wo Wo Tou” (窝窝头) – Panda Treats
After lunch, you will learn to make “wo wo tou” (窝窝头), a traditional Chinese steamed cornmeal bun. The dough, made of flour and millet, is prepared, and you will have the opportunity to shape it into fun forms, such as stars, hearts, or simple buns. The shaped buns will be fed to the pandas as a special treat.
Task 10: Cutting Bamboo Leaves (任务10: 剪竹叶)
Next, you’ll prepare bamboo leaves for the pandas. The leaves need to be clean, free from insect spots, and cut into small pieces about the size of a thumb nail. These leaves will be placed in bamboo baskets and fed to the pandas as part of their daily diet.
Final Activity: Receiving Your Volunteer Certificate and Souvenirs
At the end of the tour, you will be awarded a certificate of participation as a token of appreciation for your volunteer work. You will also receive several souvenirs, including a panda base handbook, a cloth bag, a small panda plush, and a T-shirt with the panda base logo. These items will serve as lasting reminders of your experience at the Dujiangyan Panda Base.
The Dujiangyan Panda Base (成都都江堰大熊猫基地) offers a unique and enriching experience for those who wish to contribute to panda conservation. From cleaning enclosures and breaking bamboo to observing pandas and making treats for them, this volunteer tour provides an unforgettable and educational experience. Whether you are a panda enthusiast or simply looking to learn more about these fascinating creatures, the experience will leave you with a deeper understanding of panda conservation and a sense of fulfillment from helping to care for these adorable animals.
Important Note:
1. Due to the limited number of panda volunteer activities per day, we cannot specify one of the three bases of Dujiangyan, Wolong or Ya ‘an. There may be no quota, but do not worry, after receiving the order, our staff will contact you as soon as possible.
2. Our itinerary is designed to align with the pandas’ daily routines, so during summer time, we recommend an earlier departure to make the most of the experience.
The specific activities of panda volunteers are as follows:
Application conditions:
Age 8-70 years old, healthy, no infectious diseases.
Activity content:
① Preparing food for giant pandas, such as breaking bamboo, cleaning or peeling bamboo shoots, observing the feeders feeding giant pandas; recognizing and analyzing giant pandas’ green (“qingtuan”).
② Visiting giant pandas of different ages in the park, with on-site explanations of the meanings behind their various behaviors.
③ Lunch and rest time.
④ Watching documentaries on giant panda research and field rescue, understanding the current status of giant pandas from a scientific perspective.
⑤ Preparing fine food for giant pandas in rehabilitation, such as cutting bamboo leaves, to gain an in-depth understanding of the late-life care of giant pandas.
⑥ Making coarse grain窝窝头 (窝窝头, a traditional Chinese steamed bun) for giant pandas and learning about their feeding habits.
⑦ Issuing certificates and souvenirs, ending the event.
After the above activities, you will be picked up and returned to the hotel.
(Attention：In order to provide a safer and more comfortable living environment for the animals and enhance the visitor experience, the Solar Birth House at the Panda Base will be temporarily closed for renovation starting from November 7, 2024. It is expected to reopen in mid-February 2025.)
Friendly Reminder:
1. Pandas are a key protected species, and no visitors are allowed to touch or hug pandas within the base.
2. Regarding the Chengdu Giant Panda Volunteer Activity, we would like to specifically remind you that this volunteer activity is uniformly arranged by the scenic area, with instructors leading the groups to enter. The number of participants is not fixed, and during peak tourist seasons, the number of participants may increase. Our private tour guide will be responsible for providing full commentary throughout your participation in the activity, and our private vehicle will ensure that your itinerary is both convenient and filled with joy. Thank you for your support and understanding! Thank you for your understanding！
