24 Hours Hotline: +8613735411378
Email:[email protected]
24 Hours Hotline: +8613735411378
Email:[email protected]
Tour Style:
This day trip takes you to the Dujiangyan giant panda base outside Chengdu for a supervised volunteer shift. In a private car with a professional driver and an English-speaking guide, you travel about 55 kilometers to the base, where you change into a volunteer uniform and work beside a panda keeper through a real part of the day: cleaning enclosures, carrying fresh bamboo, and helping prepare supplemental food. You watch feeding and health checks at close range and finish with a panda volunteer certificate. The program is run as keeper-supported work, not a chance to hold a cub, so it suits travelers who want an up-close, responsible look at panda care. Pickup is from your Chengdu hotel, train station, or the airport, and lunch at the base canteen is included.
Duration: 8-9 Hours
Attractions(Cities):
Dujiangyan Panda Base
Pick-up point:
Your hotel in Chengdu, train station or airport (based on your requirement)
Finishing point:
Your hotel in Chengdu, train station or airport (based on your requirement)
Tour Customizable:
Absolutely!
Payment Types:
Cash, Wire, Paypal, WesternUnion, Wechat, Alipay, Bank transfer
Available: Daily
Your guide meets you at your Chengdu hotel, train station, or the airport with a Your Way Holiday sign, then your private car drives about 55 kilometers northwest to the Dujiangyan giant panda base, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours on the expressway. Bags ride in the trunk and the car is yours all day, so you can stop for water or a photo on the way. During the drive your guide explains how the base works as a rescue, breeding, and research center away from the crowds of the city panda sites, and what your volunteer shift will involve.
At the gate your guide helps you sign the safety agreement and collect your volunteer ID, uniform, and gloves, then runs through the keeper rules before you start. Working beside a panda caretaker, you help clean enclosures, gather bamboo, and carry in fresh branches, the daily chores that keep the base running. You watch how staff read the pandas and manage feeding, and your guide translates so your questions get real answers. Hands stay off the pandas, but you stand close enough to a working shift to see the routine clearly.
Midday you eat at the staff dining hall inside the base rather than a roadside stop, a simple canteen meal of Sichuan home cooking such as kung pao chicken or noodles. It comes with the volunteer day, and if you are vegetarian, halal, or eating light, tell your guide in advance and the kitchen is told. Because you are eating on site, the day does not lose an hour to leaving and returning, and your guide is on hand to talk over what you saw that morning.
The afternoon moves to quieter, hands-on work. First you sit through a short film on panda conservation that covers rescue, breeding, and the challenges of releasing animals, then you help the keepers directly. You shape heart-shaped steamed buns that go into the supplemental panda diet and sort and cut bamboo leaves set aside for the older animals in the base. Your guide stays with you through each step, explaining why the food is prepared that way and what it says about the health of the panda.
Before you finish, the base issues a panda volunteer certificate recognizing the hours you put in, and your guide helps you pose for photos with it while the pandas are active nearby. You hand back your ID and gloves, and your guide collects any keeper notes you want to keep. Most groups receive the certificate late in the afternoon, so the morning work plus this wrap-up fills a full, structured day rather than a quick visit.
Your driver meets you at the base gate and takes you back to Chengdu in about 1 to 1.5 hours, dropping you at your hotel or, if you are moving on, at the train station or the airport, whichever you booked. The car stays yours the whole way, so luggage and shopping are no problem. If your flight or train is that evening, tell your guide at pickup and the schedule is timed so you leave the base with a comfortable margin to spare.
A guided shift working beside a panda keeper, helping clean enclosures, carry bamboo, and prepare supplemental food, plus a short conservation film and a certificate at the end. A private car, an English-speaking guide, and pickup from a Chengdu hotel, station, or airport are part of the day, along with a staff canteen lunch.
No. Genuine volunteer programs at accredited bases do not let visitors hold cubs. The value here is real keeper-supported work and close, supervised time with the animals, not a photo prop.
Plan on a full day, roughly 7 to 8 hours away from Chengdu, including 1 to 1.5 hours each way in the car and the working and certificate sessions at the base.
Yes. The base issues a panda volunteer certificate for the completed shift, and your guide helps you take photos with it before you return your ID.
Wear shoes that can get a little dirty, comfortable clothes, and a light jacket for the shaded base. Keep bags in the car. Your uniform, gloves, and ID are provided on site.
Spots are limited and depend on the season and the keeper schedule, so it is best to book a few days ahead. Tell us your dates and the guide confirms the day your shift can run.
At Your Way Holiday, we strive to enhance the depth and flexibility of your travel experience by offering a range of optional additions to our core tour itineraries. Our itineraries are designed to provide exceptional flexibility, allowing you to tailor your journey according to your preferences. Select from a variety of activities and experiences to enrich your itinerary, ensuring a personalized adventure that perfectly aligns with your interests. With Your Way Holiday, you have the freedom to create a memorable travel experience that is uniquely yours.
Morning Exercise and Tai Chi in the Park
Join the locals at People’s Park or Huanhuaxi Park for an authentic morning fitness session. Whether practicing the flowing movements of tai chi, participating in an energizing group dance, or trying traditional exercises, visitors will get a glimpse into how Chengdu residents start their day. With the fresh morning air and a vibrant social atmosphere, this experience blends relaxation with cultural immersion, leaving participants both refreshed and inspired.
Home Cooking with a Local Family
Step into a Chengdu home and learn the secrets of authentic Sichuan home cooking. Guests will join a local family in their kitchen, selecting fresh ingredients from a neighborhood market before preparing classic dishes like mapo tofu and twice-cooked pork. Beyond the cooking itself, this experience offers genuine cultural exchange, as visitors share a meal and stories with their hosts, gaining insights into daily life in Chengdu. This intimate culinary journey is one of the most heartwarming ways to experience local culture.
Mahjong Culture Experience
Step into a traditional Chengdu teahouse or park for an introduction to the city’s most beloved pastime—mahjong. A local expert will teach guests the basics of Sichuan-style mahjong, including its unique rules and strategies. Visitors will then have the chance to play a few rounds with locals, experiencing firsthand the fast-paced, lively atmosphere that makes mahjong more than just a game—it’s a cultural institution. Whether you win or lose, the fun and camaraderie of this experience are unforgettable.
Chengdu Night Market Food Tour
Embark on a late-night culinary adventure through the bustling night markets of Chengdu, guided by a local food expert. Visitors will weave through lively streets, sampling iconic street foods like spicy rabbit head, crispy guokui flatbreads, and silky tofu pudding. Each stop offers a deeper dive into the flavors, history, and preparation techniques of Chengdu’s favorite snacks. This immersive food tour is perfect for adventurous eaters eager to experience the authentic, mouth-tingling essence of Sichuan cuisine.
Price Per Person in US Dollars
Personalized Travel Consultant
Experience the best of China with our expert travel consultants by your side. With years of local tourism experience, they are not only professional and knowledgeable but also deeply committed to making your trip unforgettable. Your dedicated consultant will craft a bespoke tour plan tailored to your unique interests, schedule, and budget, offering you the utmost flexibility. From the moment you start planning until the end of your journey, they will be in touch, ensuring every detail is perfect and that your trip runs smoothly.
Exceptional Local Guides
Discover it through the eyes of our exceptional local guides. All certified and experienced, they are passionate about sharing their deep knowledge of attractions, history, and culture. Whether you're interested in hidden gems or popular sites, they know the best places to visit. They can recommend top local restaurants, unique shopping spots, and must-see shows. Beyond just guiding, they provide enriching insights into the history, customs, and authentic daily life, making your experience truly immersive.
Premium Private Transportation
Travel in comfort and style with our premium private transportation. We offer a fleet of air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean, and meticulously maintained vehicles, all less than four years old. Our professional drivers, all locals with over a decade of driving experience, are friendly, courteous, and dedicated to your safety and comfort. Depending on your group's size, we provide a range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, business vans (MPVs), and spacious buses, all with ample luggage space.
Authentic Dining Experiences
We prioritize genuine local culinary experiences over pre-arranged tourist restaurants. Our local guides will recommend the best local restaurants where you can savor authentic flavors. This approach ensures you enjoy the freshest, most authentic meals, tailored to your preferences, and experience the true essence of the local cuisine. Whether your dietary needs are vegetarian, Muslim, Chinese, Western, Jewish, or Indian, we have excellent options to make every meal a delightful part of your journey.
Duration：6-8 Hours
Attractions(Cities)： Chengdu Panda Research Base, People's Park, Jinli Ancient Street, Kuanzhai Alley
Tour Style：One day, one private car, and an English-speaking local guide who has already booked every ticket on the list. Mornings start early at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding so you catch the pandas while they are still active; after that, the pace slows to a hillside teahouse in Renmin Park, gaiwan jasmine tea in hand. Between the two you walk Jinli's lantern-lit lane and finish in Kuanzhai Alley, where restored Qing courtyards now sit alongside small shops and tea rooms. Pick-up and drop-off match your schedule — a Chengdu hotel, a train station, or the airport.
Duration：8 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base, Leshan Giant Buddha
Tour Style：Two UNESCO-listed sights on one private day out of Chengdu. The morning starts at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding while the animals are still active in the cool hours, then the driver takes you south along the expressway to Leshan, where a 71-metre stone Buddha carved between 713 and 803 AD still stands at the junction of three rivers. Walk the Nine Bends Plank Road, take the river boat, or do both. English-speaking local guide, private air-conditioned car with an experienced driver, Panda Base and Leshan tickets included, hotel, train station, or airport pick-up.
Duration：2 Days, 1 Night
Attractions(Cities)：Chengdu Panda Base, Renmin Park, Wuhou Temple, Jinli Street, Wenshu Monastery, Chengdu Museum, Tianfu Square
Tour Style：This two-day private tour moves between the old and new faces of Chengdu at your own pace. Day 1 starts at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the morning, when the pandas are feeding, then takes in the teahouse scene at Renmin Park, the Three Kingdoms shrines of Wuhou Temple, and the snack stalls and craft shops of Jinli Ancient Street. Day 2 covers the Buddhist halls of Wenshu Monastery, the collections of the Chengdu Museum, and the modern plaza at Tianfu Square. A private car and an English-speaking guide carry you between all of them, with pickup from your hotel, train station, or the airport, and the daily order flexes if you want longer at the panda base or a slower teahouse stop. Lunch is left open so your guide can point you to local kitchens rather than tourist menus.
Duration：8-9 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Dujiangyan, Qingcheng Mountain
Tour Style：This day trip pairs two UNESCO-listed sights west of Chengdu: the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Qingcheng Mountain. A private car and driver collect you from your hotel, train station, or the airport and stop first at Dujiangyan, where an English-speaking guide walks you through the 256 BC waterworks that Li Bing and his son built without a dam, still carrying Min River water onto the Chengdu plain after more than 2,000 years. You see the Fish Mouth levee, Flying Sand Reef, and Bottle Neck channel up close. After lunch you drive to Qingcheng Mountain, a founding site of Taoism, and take the cable car and stone paths past the front-mountain temples. Lunch is left out on purpose so your guide can point you to a local Sichuan kitchen; pace, photo stops, and vegetarian or lighter requests are easy to adjust on a private tour.
Duration：3 Days 2 Nights
Attractions(Cities)：Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Renmin Park, Jinli Ancient Street, Kuanzhai Alley
Tour Style：This three-day private tour pairs Chengdu with two mountain and heritage sights. Day one covers the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in the morning, then Renmin Park teahouse, Jinli Ancient Street, and Kuanzhai Alley. Day two drives about two hours to the 71-metre Leshan Giant Buddha, seen from the cliff path or a Dadu River boat, then on to an overnight at the foot of Mount Emei. Day three rises by eco-bus and cable car to the Golden Summit at 3,077 metres and the old temples before the return to Chengdu. A private car, driver, and English-speaking guide handle tickets and transfers, and pick-up and drop-off run from your Chengdu hotel, station, or airport.
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We chose the volunteer experience at dujiangyan panda base and it was the highlight of our china trip. We got to prepare bamboo and clean the enclosures while learning about conservation. Our guide translated the keeper stories which were fascinating. Seeing the pandas up close as they ate and played was magical. The irrigation system visit afterward was a nice cultural bonus.
Replied:28 October 2026
Thanks Michael! The hands-on volunteer day at Dujiangyan is a favorite of ours - preparing bamboo and tidying enclosures beats just watching from behind glass.
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had an interesting talking with the keeper and learned a lot about giant panda, can not wait to show the certificate to my friends hahha
I finally got to see the giant pandas I’d been looking forward to for so long! I saw so many pandas in one day, which was awesome. I also had a great chat with my guide, James. He recommended tons of local Chengdu food—aside from hotpot, there were so many other amazing dishes. So good!
I was really impressed by this place! It covers such a large area, and the grounds are beautifully laid out. The panda enclosures are spacious, and if you're patient, you can definitely catch some great views of the adorable pandas. There are also a few other animals to see. I did quite a bit of walking, but there were plenty of rest areas and food/drink stops along the way. Mia, my guide, was fantastic and made the experience even more enjoyable as I soaked in all the sights!
Everybody from Your Way Holiday was amazing! I contacted them via WhatsApp with some questions, and they ensured I had all the information before booking. On the day of the activity, my guide was incredibly accommodating, kind, and attentive. I felt very well taken care of. Before booking, please note that you won't be allowed to touch or feed the pandas. I find this rule to be very reasonable and fair, as I wouldn't want to stress the animals. The only thing that I didn't really like is that the experience involved a bit less actual work than I expected (and wanted) based on some reviews I had read. This isn't a reflection on Your Way Holiday, as the activities are organized by the research base. Overall, I'm incredibly glad I did this and would do it again! A huge thank you to the girls from Your Way Holiday!
We had an amazing trip to the Dujiangyan panda centre. Being a Panda keeper for the day is worth every penny. We saw over 40 Pandas, a good mix of baby pandas and adults. We made panda cakes, cleaned the enclosure and the best of all was feeding the beautiful panda bamboo shoots in his enclosure. So much fun. 5 stars.
This review of our October trip is a bit late, but I must say it was one of my best experiences in China. We were met at our hotel by Jay, who was an informative and personable guide throughout the day. He not only shared insights about the panda center but also engaged us in conversations about our life experiences and mutual interests, highlighting our shared love for pandas as Americans. Acting as panda keepers while the pandas watched us clean their areas was a unique experience, and feeding them their snacks was a real treat. Observing them munch on bamboo and lounge in their enclosures was delightful. We enjoyed a lovely lunch and learned a lot from a video about the research centers, with another highlight being the chance to see the adorable Red Pandas and some bears.
Great stress-free way to see the pandas, especially in the heat of the summer and with huge crowds due to the summer holidays. Our guide, Allen, met us at our hotel and knew the shortcuts to navigate the large sanctuary grounds and avoid some of the crowds. If we had been on our own, it would have been a bit of a challenge. Allen was punctual and friendly, answering all our questions and even helping us book the Chinese Opera for the afternoon. Thanks, Allen!
I was recommended by friends to go to the Panda Centre early for opening, and I’m so glad I did! I contacted my guide, Mike, he was happy to adjust our departure time to leave early. Mike arrived at the hotel before the scheduled pickup and had a sign with Your Way Holiday on it. He spoke good English and was eager to share all about the city during our journey to the Panda Park. I had a fantastic experience, and highly recommend this to anyone visiting!
The panda center is absolutely amazing! We saw so many pandas, from adorable babies to full-sized adults. The highlight was definitely spotting the playful red pandas; they were so entertaining! I loved every moment of our visit!
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