[Important] Breaking news! China has resumed the issuance of all types of visas(Including tourist visa) for foreigners since March 15, 2023. Read more »

Top 4 Recommended Amazing Panda Volunteer Tours

Once in a Lifetime Experience

There is no other trip like this - you can totally get involved in volunteering with the adorable pandas, with the best interpretation of the harmony between human and animal.

If you’re looking for truly unique and once in a lifetime panda experience, the following top 4 best-designed panda volunteer tours have a few surprises for you! Panda lovers can choose 1 to 3 days volunteer programs offered in Dujiangyan, Ya’an or Wolong panda bases. Besides the brilliant volunteering work, some other highlighting attractions and inspiring activities added into the trips will amaze you to the most. Select your likes now!

Recent News for Panda Hugging: To well protect the fluffy, adorable and vulnerable giant pandas and prevent spreading disease to any of them, the panda holding activity has been suspended since November 2018.

Panda Volunteer Tour at Dujiangyan

1 Day Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Tour

Dujiangyan Panda Base is the best & closest place to do volunteer work for giant pandas. Take this full day program from 08:30 to 16:00, making you an “Honorable Keeper”, “Panda Nutritionist” to take care of the cuddly giant pandas.

Rating:

Type: Panda Volunteer

Panda Base: Dujiangyan

View Details

Panda Volunteer Tour at Bifengxia

2 Days Inspiring Ya'an Bifengxia Panda Volunteer Experience

Transfer to Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base one day before the volunteering day. Experience the 1 full day volunteer program to clean panda’ houses, visit pandas in person, learn to make their favorite cakes, enjoy panda documentary, etc.

Rating:

Type: Panda Volunteer, Ancient Town

Panda Base: Bifengxia

View Details

Panda Volunteer Tour at Wolong

2 Days Wolong Panda Volunteer at Shenshuping Base

Go to see the adorable giant pandas at Shenshuping Panda Base at their most primitive and natural home in Wolong and spend one whole day to act as a volunteer to take care of giant pandas. Also, volunteers can have some hiking activities in Shenshuping.

Rating:

Type: Panda Volunteer

Panda Base: Shenshuping

View Details

Panda Volunteer Tour at Dujiangyan Panda Base

6 Days Leshan, Mount Emei & Panda Volunteer Tour

Be engaged in profound Buddhism culture, splendid landscapes through the exhilarating, exclusive activities to experience unparalleled Sichuan splendors and panda volunteer program. In fact, it is more than a tour and it is an adventure of discovery.

Rating:

Type: Panda Volunteer, Culture

Panda Base: Dujiangyan

View Details

Plan & Do Panda Volunteer Program in 2023

Search for where can do panda volunteer program all over the world? A certain answer is here - there is no other place but China providing the memorable volunteer program to make a meaningful difference!

Head to the “Real Hometown of Giant Pandas” - Sichuan Province in China, and volunteers can choose among three natural panda bases - Dujiangyan Panda Base, Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base and Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base where you can take care of the endangered giant pandas and have conservation with them. During the program, volunteers will see as many pandas as possible, clean the pandas’ enclosures, prepare special panda food, chop bamboo...

For travelers who are interested in volunteering with red pandas (the lesser panda or red bear-cat), it is suggested to reach Wolong Hetaoping Panda Base for the one full day red panda volunteer program.

Essential Things to Know about China Panda Volunteer Program

All about Panda Volunteer Program

1. Where Can Do Panda Volunteer Program in China? How to Choose It?

Panda Base Volunteer Length Distance from Chengdu Features
Dujiangyan Panda Base 1 day 62 kilometers (1-1.5 hours) the closest panda base from Chengdu; over 30 pandas live here.
Bifengxia Panda Base 1 day / 3 days or longer 155 kilometers (2.5-3 hours) awesome site to do volunteer program for 3 days or more; over 40 pandas live here.
Shenshuping Panda Base 1 day 100 kilometers (2 hours) located in Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries in primitive environment; the largest breeding center for giant pandas; over 30 pandas live here.
Hetaoping Panda Base 1 day 120 kilometers (2.5 hours) the only base to attend Red Panda volunteer program.

How to Choose a Panda Base?

2. Who Can Join a Panda Volunteer Program?

To do the panda volunteer program, volunteers should be aged between 10 and 70 years old. The numbers of different bases are different and you can have a check before booking. If the booking for one base is full, you’d better head to another base or change your time to do the volunteer program.

3. Is Health Examination Form Needed?

Yes, every volunteer needs a health examination form. Being a volunteer, you should apply it a week in advance with your Application Form and Health Examination Form (valid medical certificate and signature which could apply it in your country or in China). Interested people could feel free to contact our travel consultant to get more information about the form!

4. You’d Better Book 10 Days in Advance

It is recommended to make a reservation of the panda volunteer programs at least 10 days in advance, and even 1 to 2 months earlier for volunteers during peak seasons (mainly May to October).

5. What a Volunteer Program Consists of?

The following is the sample volunteer program at Dujiangyan Panda Base and you can have a general idea about what for a volunteer to do in a panda base.

Time Activity
Morning
(8:30-11:30)
Learn safety announcement and sign the security agreement; put on the work suit and gloves, wear the volunteer pass card before go to the work place; the staff will tell the panda volunteer matters need attention.
"Honorable Panda Keeper" experience: carry out the old bamboo, wash the panda house, clean up the panda excrement, carry in the fresh bamboo, etc.
"Wonderful Panda Tour" time: visit other panda enclosures, look around the panda base for more giant pandas and red pandas.
Have lunch with the staff in the restaurant and take a break;
Visit around the base and see the cute panda if you like. 
Afternoon
(13:00-15:30)
"Panda Cinema": Watch a panda documentary that shows the scientific facts about panda, to understand how humans protect them.
"Panda Nutritionist" time: prepare food for the panda and also make the panda cake.
Answer some scientific questions about panda through your whole days’ experience; Plant bamboo to improve the pandas’ environment; and then, finish the panda volunteer experience and get the panda volunteer certificate and souvenirs.

6. What are the Volunteer Fees?

Usually, the program fees range between 700 - 1000 RMB which include the volunteering work, uniform, sightseeing, sightseeing vehicle in the base, lunch, certificate and souvenirs, etc.

For panda volunteers who want a worry free package including private car with driver and an experienced tour guide escorted you the whole way, the fee will increase and please feel free to contact our travel consultant for the reasonable quote (PS: before ready to book the panda volunteer program packages, the quote will be free.)

7. Is Training Provided?

Conservation efforts should always have a positive effect on the giant pandas, and for this to happen, volunteers should have a good knowledge of how to best serve the needs of the “black and white animals” they work with. The panda base at the above four panda bases will first train their participants before do the volunteering work. These measures ensure the safety of both the volunteers and the animals themselves.

8. Panda Volunteer Program Practical Tips

Giant Panda Volunteer Experience

Book Panda Volunteer Program with Us

China Discovery has the ability to book the panda volunteer program for you no matter which panda base you choose and how many days you are interested in. Our panda experts will design and adjust the volunteering program based on your real needs. Besides, the experienced drivers and tour guide will escort you all the way, making your panda dream fulfill without any trouble!

Reserve Now

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip

Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts or guests

Why Book with China Discovery