Giant Panda Discovery China

Become a member of staff at our Giant Panda Conservation Centre

Get up close to these black and white beauties - a symbol of endangered species throughout the world.  For lovers of wildlife, your days spent at the sanctuary will offer a thrill that you'll remember for a lifetime.  Your onward travels through China are equally impressive - visiting the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, and the chance to cycle through some stunning scenery, will make you want to return to China again and again.

Itinerary (14 nights / 15 days)

Day 1, Beijing
Arrive and check into your hotel. Later this evening you will have the chance to meet your tour leader and the other members of the tour.

Day 2, Beijing - Great Wall
A day at the Great Wall, with an optional 3-5 hour hike on one of the less visited sections, including a break for a picnic lunch on the Wall. Approx. 5 hours driving

Day 3, Beijing
Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City . In the evening we board the overnight train to Xi'an . Approx 14 hr train journey

Day 4, Xi'an
Arrive in Xi'an and visit the Terracotta Warriors. Free afternoon to explore the markets, mosque or museum.

Day 5, Xi'an - Chengdu
Free morning in Xi'an . In the afternoon we board the overnight train to Chengdu . Approx. 17 hrs train journey

Day 6, Chengdu - Wolong
We arrive in Chengdu in the morning then drive up into the mountains to our Panda Centre. Approx. 6 hours driving. (D)

Days 7-9, Wolong
Assist staff with their regular duties. These may include cleaning out cages, feeding or playtime – but whatever they are, you can be sure of close contact with these adorable animals. (BLD)

The Volunteer Programme - Panda Centre

The Giant Panda Breeding Centre is located about 9km from Wolong town in Sichuan Province . It was established in 1982 as a joint effort by the Chinese government and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The WWF has adopted the Giant Panda as its emblem.

Due to human encroachment, both the numbers of the giant pandas and their habitat have diminished significantly. They are now one of the most endangered animals in the world. The centre's primary goal is to protect the Giant Panda and their habitat. The centre is involved in breeding research and takes care of sick or injured pandas that are brought in from the wild. Other animal species are also protected within the Wolong Reserve and the local community benefit from the employment opportunities created.

Volunteers will be helping the staff with whatever is required during our stay. This will probably include cleaning out the panda enclosures, feeding the gentle giants and possibly recording behaviour data. Duties are relatively light and don't require any special skills, but the more effort you put in, the more you will get out. There is also plenty of free time to wander around the centre and watch the panda's go about their daily lives. We will also arrange an excursion to a local scenic area within the Panda Reserve. No special clothing is required, as you will be issued with gloves and a set of overalls on arrival. You should bring a pair of sturdy shoes or boots.

Another important part of your contribution is the awareness of wildlife protection you will help promote in China , where this is still a new concept. Although Wolong is primarily a centre for the protection of the Giant Panda

What does your donation cover?

100% of you donation goes to the Panda Centre. The fee covers the costs of your food, accommodation and volunteer programme.

A Typical 4 days at the Panda Centre:

Day 1, Arrival: Arrive and settle in to the hotel.
Day 2, Volunteering: This morning we receive our overalls and gloves and begin work. This may include cleaning the cages and feeding the pandas.
Day 3, Volunteering: Assist staff with their duties. Later, take an optional excursion into the hills of the reserve.
Day 4, Volunteering: A final morning cleaning and feeding and free time to say farewell to the gentle giants.

As volunteers it is important to remain flexible and keep in mind that sometimes situations may arise within the centre that mean your duties could change at short notice. You should also remember that pandas are wild animals and you need to obey the instructions of the staff at all times. It is possible to arrange to have your photograph taken with the young pandas. There is an additional charge for this which goes towards the panda conservation projects.

Day 10, Wolong - Chengdu
Return to Chengdu where you have a free afternoon to explore. (B)

Day 11, Chengdu - Yangshuo
Fly from Chengdu to Guilin and transfer by bus to Yangshuo, amidst stunning karst scenery. Later, there is a chance to see the Liu San Jie Show (US27).

Day 12, Yangshuo
Enjoy an optional bike ride in the countryside (US$2 bicycle hire), shop for local handicrafts or learn a little of the local culture with a lesson in Mandarin, Tai Chi (US$5.5 per hour) or Chinese cooking (US$11/14).

Day 13, Yangshuo - Guangzhou
Free time before we return to Guilin and catch the overnight train to Guangzhou . Approx. 13 hr train journey.

Day 14, Guangzhou
Arrive in Guangzhou and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this cosmopolitan city.

Day 15, Guangzhou
Tour ends.

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