Panda Volunteer Program - The 2 Best Places to Do Giant Panda Volunteer Job in the World

What is Panda Volunteering Program?

Panda volunteering programs are the best opportunity as of now to be in close proximity with the pandas and learn more about them directly from the experts and care takers. They are truly a unique experience where you are to only in close proximity with the pandas but also see how they live, what they eat, understand what it takes to save and maintain endangered species, and learn more about the species in general.

In these volunteering programs you get to feed pandas, clean their enclosures, bake them carrot cake, take photos with them, and get a certificate at the end of the program. So it is highly recommended to take the panda volunteer job as an unforgettable experience of your Panda tour.

To clean the panda encloser is one of the things to do during Panda Voleenter Job.

Currently, the panda volunteering programs are only available in two bases in the world: Wolong Nature Reserve and Dujiangyan Panda Valley. Both are close from Chengdu.

Do Panda Volunteer Program in Dujiangyan Panda Valley

You should apply for the volunteer program at least 2-3 weeks in advance as they allow only 30 volunteers per day. There is schedule according to which your program will go on.

1 Day Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Tour

MORNING:

Volunteers are making Panda Cakes.

LUNCH: 11:30am to 1:00pm- Take a break and have lunch whilst conversing with the permanent employees. If you still have time, you can explore the base, talk with the employees, or even meet some cute pandas.

AFTERNOON:

Optional Panda Holding Program

During your volunteer program, you can have the time to join the Panda Holding Program that you can hug a panda and take picture with it. The fee of Panda holding program is not included in panda volunteer program, so you have to pay extra 1800RMB for your panda holding program.

How Much to Pay?

Just visiting the base: CNY 50- CNY 70

Panda volunteer program: CNY 800- CNY 900

Take only photos: CNY 1,800-2,000

You can take the optional panda holding program while doing the panda volunteer job. If you do not have enough time to spend a full day volunteering, you can still just get to take a picture while holding a panda by paying a required extra amount along with ticket cost.

How to get there?

You can reach the panda base by car, train, and bus. You can arrange a pick up drop from and to your hotel along with your volunteer program.

By train - From Chengdu railway station take the intercity high speed train, get down in Dujiangyan and take a taxi to the valley.

By bus - Take a coach to Dujiangyan from Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station or Beimen Bus Station. From Dujiangyan you can take a taxi to the valley or take bus line 102, get down at Yutang Town Station and walk to the valley. It is a short 2-mile walk from the Yutang town station to the valley.

Requirements for Applying for the Panda Volunteer Program in Dujiangyan

The panda volunteering program is applicable only for age group 12-65. If you want bring your children younger than that require permission from their guardians. If you bring your children aged under age 12, a small extra fee should be paid to take them with you throughout program. For kids below the age of two no fee is necessary.

You are required to submit a health examination form before applying for the program. The certificate doesn’t necessarily have to be from a hospital from China, it can be from your country. It advisable that you don’t wear any strong smelling deodorants, perfumes, and creams while attending the program as pandas are very sensitive to smell.

Do Panda Volunteer Program in Wolong Nature Reserve

The Wolong Nature Reserve has 2-day, and 3-day programs. You should first choose that would suit your needs and time availability. Each program has its own unique features and quirks.

2-day Classic Panda Volunteer Program Schedule

Day 1: The tour bus will pick you up from Chengdu at 8:00 am. Check-in to your rooms. Visit the panda base and then a small, easy level, hike in the reserve. Get back to room.

Day 2: The complete volunteer program from morning till evening.

Schedule for the volunteer program:

MORNING:

LUNCH: 11:30am to 1:00pm- Take a break and have lunch whilst conversing with the permanent employees. If you still have time, you can explore the base, talk with the employees, or even meet some cute pandas.

AFTERNOON:

2 Days Chengdu and Wolong Panda Volunteer Tour

Price From: USD 255

3-day Panda Volunteer Program with Panda Habitat Exploration Tour:

Day 1: Pick up from Chengdu and checking into rooms in Wolong nature reserve. Lunch and then visiting the panda compound inside the reserve.

Day 2: Visitors will participate in the complete volunteer program with the same schedule as mentioned above and retire for the day.

Day 3: The last day consists of trekking, learning, and spotting pandas in their natural habitat. The trekking starts at 9:00 in the morning and ends at 4:00. During the course of the trek you will be able to spot pandas in their natural habitat, in the deep forests of Wolong Nature Reserve. The guides will also teach you the techniques to track and spot a panda, teach you about research methods used, followed by a short picnic in the woods. After the trek, you pack your bags and then get dropped back in Chengdu.

3 Days Wolong Giant Panda Volunteer and Panda Habitat Exploration Tour

Spotting Pandas in Their Natural Habitat

How Much to Pay?

The cost of the programs depends on the month you go to visit.

Visiting Panda Museum: CNY 20

Panda Science Research: CNY 98

Hiking along Zheng River: CNY 120

Tracking the foot of Panda: CNY 360

The prices for the 2 or 3 day programs include the private car, lunch, outdoor facilities, tourist accident insurance, and the organizational cost. Please contact us for exact cost of your Wolong panda tour.

How to Get There?

You can go in the private car arranged in the panda program; if not there are public transport options.

From Chengdu, take the metro line 2 and get down in Jinniu District. From there take a bus bound to Wolong town or Xiaojin County. Get down in Wolong and head over the nature reserve. The bus journey takes about 3 hours.

From Chengdu, take the metro line 2 and get down in Jinniu District.

Requirements for Applying for the Volunteer Program in Wolong

The age limit for the volunteering program is 12 years and above. It is necessary to book the programs at least 3-4 weeks in advance as only 15 volunteers are allowed for a day. You should provide with a health certificate from either your doctor or a doctor in China. It is advisable that you do not wear any strong smelling perfumes, deodorants, or creams as pandas are sensitive to smell.

Currently, only the above two nature reserves that provide panda volunteer programs. These are probably the only chance you will get to be in such close proximity to the adorable pandas.

Notes for Panda Volunteers

1. Please do not make loud noises that may startle pandas.

2. Please do not throw any food to pandas without the permission of the professional keepers.

3. Please keep following the instruction of the professional keepers in order to insure your safety.

4. Please notice that the itinerary and the time schedule above may be adjusted according to the current situation.