🐼Fancy volunteering with pandas in China? 🐼

🐼 why this is one of the most special travel experiences you can have 🐼

• A proper, hands-on moment with China’s most iconic creature

The giant panda is more than just a national symbol – it’s a shy, gentle and frankly irresistible bear that sits right at the heart of conservation efforts in China. Volunteering at the Dujiangyan Panda Reserve (near Chengdu) gives you the chance to get up close and personal – you’ll prep meals, help clean their living spaces, and observe their behaviour like a true insider.

• Not your average zoo visit – this is proper, close-up stuff.

This isn’t a gimmicky experience or a tourist trap. It’s a full-day programme (around 7 hours), run by experienced conservation professionals. You’ll get stuck into the daily routine of panda keepers, including chopping up piles of bamboo, tidying enclosures, and learning all about how the centre works to protect a threatened species.

🐼 A day in the life of a panda keeper 🐼

• Morning: You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Chengdu and driven out to the Dujiangyan Panda Reserve (about 2 hours). Once there, you’ll get kitted out in your volunteer gear and meet the team for a quick intro to the centre.

• Late morning: Time to muck in! You’ll help clean the panda enclosures and prepare their meals – mainly bamboo, but sometimes a bit of fruit too. No experience needed, just a willingness to lend a hand.

• Lunch: Tuck into a local meal, usually shared with the reserve staff – a nice chance to chat and ask questions.

• Afternoon: You'll watch a short documentary to learn more about panda conservation, spend time observing the pandas (warning: high levels of cuteness), and even help prepare some enrichment snacks for them.

• End of the day: Back to Chengdu with a camera full of panda pics, maybe a bit of bamboo stuck to your shoes, and a story or two to tell.

🧭 Good to know before you go

When's best to go?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best times to visit – think mild weather, lush green landscapes and fewer crowds.

What's included?

✔️ Return transfer from Chengdu

✔️ English-speaking guide

✔️ Lunch

✔️ All volunteer materials

❌ Entrance to the reserve (approx. ¥7000 to be paid on the day – that’s around £35)

Top tips for pirates

🧢 Wear comfy clothes you don’t mind getting a bit grubby

🧴 Bring a hat, sun cream and bug spray – the pandas won’t mind, but the mozzies might

📸 No flash photography or panda cuddles – they’re adorable but need their space

📅 Book a few days in advance – this experience is super popular and spots fill up fast

What other pirates have to say

“A magical experience! Feeding the pandas and learning about the work being done to protect them – it’s a day I’ll never forget.”

— Emma, 32

“Everything was really well organised. The reserve is stunning, and you leave feeling like you’ve done something that actually matters.”

— Julien, 45

Unforgettable memories, meaningful encounters, and more bamboo than you ever thought you’d see in one day…

Volunteering with pandas at Dujiangyan isn’t just another travel activity – it’s a proper human adventure and a gentle reminder of how important it is to look after our planet. 🌏💚