Highlights:

• See the largest captive population of pandas in the world at the Chengdu Panda Base.

• Experience the routine work of a panda keeper by working in a panda enclosure.

• Gain an in-depth understanding of the daily lives of captive pandas.

• Be recognized for your hard work with a panda volunteer certificate commemorating your contributions to the Giant Panda conservation.

• Come to face to face with pandas and other captive animals available in the respective base.

• Travel through Sichuan with a team of dedicated and experienced, local guides.  

• Visit one of the world's largest sitting Buddha statues, the Leshan Giant Buddha.


Introduction to Trip Destinations and Activities:
 

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Chengdu Panda Base) attracts tourists and wildlife enthusiasts worldwide. Conveniently located a short drive away from downtown, this state of the art research facility comfortably houses more pandas than anywhere else within China or abroad. During your visit, you will see pandas ranging from young cubs to lumbering adults as well as the elusive and adorable Red Panda. Additionally, the scenic, garden-like atmosphere of the panda base is especially ideal for urban birding like Red-billed Leiothrix, White-browed Laughingthrush, Ruddy Shelduck, Chinese Blackbird, Spotted Dove, etc.


Leshan Giant Buddha
Holding the distinction as one of the world’s largest sitting Buddhas and oldest pre-modern structures, the Leshan Buddha has become one of China’s most iconic world heritage sites. Located in the nearby city of Leshan, this cultural marvel is easily accessible for groups traveling from Chengdu. Leshan Giant Buddha is the world-largest stone Buddha, a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site since 1996 by UNESCO. The 70-meter high Giant Buddha was carved out of rock from a hill called Linyun Mountain located at the junction of the Minjiang River, Dadu, and Qingyi Rivers. The immense project was initiated by a monk called Haitong in 713 A.D during the Tang Dynasty to calm the turbulent river. The whole project lasted 90 years.

Bifengxia Panda Base
Located just a short drive from the city of Ya’an, the Bifengxia Panda Base is widely considered the best of Sichuan’s panda bases to visit for those wanting to view these animals in a natural setting. The pandas here enjoy naturalistic enclosures placed against a tranquil temperate environment. It is not uncommon to spot some of the base’s resident pandas hanging from the branches of the parks' many trees. Located near the Bifengxia Panda Base, the scenic area at the Bifengxia Gorge is a breathtaking natural setting featuring panoramic views of the rugged temperate forests of central Sichuan. This area will prove to be the ideal setting for a leisurely hike.
 

Wolong Panda Base
Once you have seen what Chengdu has to offer, we will hit the road and head north into the Panda’s natural habitat. As we climb in elevation, you will watch as the scenery changes from farmlands to mountainous, temperate bamboo forests. It is in this verdant landscape that we will stop at the world-famous Wolong Panda Base. This reserve provides the best opportunity to photograph pandas against the backdrop of the misty mountain habitat they call home. Witness as caretakers bring baby pandas stacks of bamboo and milk to gorge themselves on. This park is a must-see for all panda enthusiasts!
 

Dujiangyan Panda Valley
Dujiangyan Panda Valley is also called the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Dujiangyan Field Research Center for Giant Pandas. Dujiangyan Panda Valley has been built in 2010 with an area of 140 hectares. The valley is a narrow strip with streams flowing through and edible bamboo for giant pandas. Dujiangyan Panda Valley is divided into three parts: the experimental area, semi-wild reintroduction area and reintroduction area. After all the constructions, it will be home to 30 to 40 giant pandas, 50 to 100 red pandas and other wild animals. Dujiangyan Panda Valley not only provides a leisurely panda viewing experience to its guests but also plays a crucial role in the future of the species’ preservation. 

Dujiangyan Panda Base
Dujiangyan Panda Base, also called Dujiangyan Panda Ark, is located at the foot of Mt. Qingcheng. Mainly focusing on panda rescue, husbandry, and disease control, its facilities have a critical impact on the continued survival of the Giant Panda. It takes about a 1.5-2 hours drive from downtown Chengdu to arrive at the base. The base has several pandas rescued from the wild and some others are returned from overseas, such as the famous panda-Taishan who was born in Washington D.C. Our visit to the panda base here will feature the exciting hands-on opportunity to assist the panda caretakers in their daily routine of cleaning panda enclosures and hand-feeding pandas.

Dujiangyan Irrigation System
With over 2,200 years of history, the ancient irrigation system in Dujiangyan is known as the only ancient irrigation project of its kind still at work till now. Built in the 3rd century BC, Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a world-famous irrigation project reflecting the high wisdom of the ancient Chinese people. This project is credited with having turn the vast fertile land in Chengdu Plain into a breadbasket and made it known as a Land of Abundance in China. In 2000, the irrigation system was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List together with the neighboring Taoist Qingcheng Mountain. 
 

Hot Pot
By far the most iconic of Chengdu’s dishes, a trip to Sichuan is incomplete without tasting the spicy broth of an authentic hot pot. A particularly social meal, hot pot is best enjoyed with a group of friends sitting around the boiling brazier of soup and spices.

How Can We Make This Trip Special？

• Many times of running this itinerary for western panda funs, nature and culture lovers enables us to ensure your trip is enjoyable and comfortable in the hidden area.

• A team of passionate guides specializing in panda and wildlife with rich experiences of guiding and solid knowledge about local cultures and places.

• This trip can be customized to better meet your travel style by centering on a different focus.

• 20-plus years of working in the travel industry and serving travelers from all over the world enable us to know how to make great trips for travelers of different travel styles.