Explore the Real Hometown of Wild Pandas
Wolong Panda Center, nestled within the expansive Wolong National Nature Reserve, is a bit of a journey from Chengdu but well worth the trip. It's less crowded and is widely recognized as the authentic homeland of wild pandas.
This one-day itinerary is perfect for responsible panda enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Beyond participating in the Wolong Panda Volunteer Program accompanied by a professional guide, you'll also get to engage in our exclusive offerings: a gentle mountain hike with locals, visiting rural households, and a unique opportunity to plant bamboo for the pandas.
Please note: Due to government regulations and for the protection of pandas, direct contact with pandas is not permitted in any volunteer activities. The specific content and timing of the day's volunteer activities are subject to the base's arrangements.
We are happy to tailor the itinerary according to your specific needs and interests.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Experience Taking Care of a Cute Panda
Make panda cakes with your own hands and prepare bamboo for pandas. See how the keeper feeds a panda at a very close distance
Receive a unique certificate proving your love for pandas.
At the end of the program, you will receive a panda keeper certificate for this unforgettable day.
Plant Bamboo for Pandas and Receive Growth Photos
Join the villagers to plant bamboo saplings in the lush mountains. As these saplings flourish, you'll be updated with their growth photos. And they will become a delicious meal for the pandas at the base.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
|
|
Overview of Chengdu.
We were able to see the most notable areas of a very large city in s short period of time. Mr. Evan was friendly, knowledgeable and patient. more
May 2025, John V
|
Fantastic chengdu with China highlights.
Our tour guide was Evan who was very helpful and provided us with local recommendations and was informative. Whilst in Chengdu we went to the panda base, leshan Buddha, mount Qing Chen and the Dujiangyan irrigation site all guided by Evan. During our month touring China, we found Chengdu to be one of the highlights. more
May 2025, mcgahano
|
All the tour guides we had arranged via Carrie at China Highlights were excellent. We had Jessica in Beijing for the Forbidden City, the hutongs, followed by Mutianyu at the Great Wall. At the last minute, we arranged to go to the summer palace and had Mary as our guide. Paul in Xi'an guided us to the terracotta warriors and was very informative. We had Evan in Chengdu for the panda base, Mount Qing Chen, the Leshan Buddha and Dujiangan irrigation site. Evan was helpful and able to adapt to our pace. He also provided us with useful recommendations for local places to eat in Chengdu. When we went to Guilin and Yangshuo, we had LiPing, who was very good. She accompanied us to the Longji rice terraces, the boat trip to Yangshuo and the cormorant fisherman photo shoot. In Suzhou, we had Juliette who accompanied us to Tongli water town, the Tongli garden and the humble administrators garden. It was a truly relaxing morning on the boat in Tongli. Our day trips were well organised and enjoyable. more
May 2025, Mcgahano
|
Itinerary Quick Look
Your guide will greet you at your hotel in Chengdu bright and early at 6:30 am. From there, you'll embark on a 2.5-hour journey to Wolong.
Arriving at the Wolong Panda Center by 9 am, your unique day as a panda keeper will commence. During the program, you'll gain deeper insights into this endangered species, and under the guidance of experienced staff, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to their care.
You will break bamboos and wash some bamboo shoots for pandas with the panda keepers. And then clean the glass of their enclosures. Watch the keeper feeding a panda. Then take a break and tour around the panda base. Have a relaxing walk on the well-paved base and listen to the legendary stories of these pandas.
Join the panda keepers in breaking bamboo and washing bamboo shoots. Next, you'll spruce up their enclosures, cleaning the glass for a clear view. Witness the captivating sight of a keeper feeding a panda. Afterward, take a stroll around the panda base, accompanied by our knowledgeable guide who will immerse you in the legendary tales of these adorable creatures.
Enjoy a communal lunch in the canteen with the base staff, followed by a special screening of a documentary that explores the life cycle of a panda. Afterwards, you'll get hands-on experience in making panda cakes and chopping bamboo leaves for the elderly pandas. As a memento of your unique experience, you'll receive a panda keeper certificate.
The program concludes around 2:00 pm.
Step into a local farmhouse in Wolong Town. You'll be warmly welcomed into a realm where generations-old rural wisdom comes alive. Witness the authenticity of rural life, from the wind-dried cured meats hanging under the eaves to the vegetable plots yielding seasonal crops.
Your journey continues with a serene hike to the forest behind the town. There, you'll plant your own bamboo seedling, a symbol of your contribution to this vibrant ecosystem. As your bamboo grows, you'll receive updates and photos of its progress. Eventually, the bamboo will be supplied directly to the panda base, becoming a vital part of the diet of the giant pandas.
Your meaningful day with the pandas will conclude at 5 pm. Following this, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel in Chengdu, with an expected arrival time of around 7:30 pm.
Tour Price
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: cd-8b