4 Days Chengdu Panda Volunteer Tour with Leshan Giant Buddha
Tour Overview
This four-day trip to Chengdu is prepared to provide you with an cultural and environmental experience of Sichuan. Starting from day two, participants spend the day volunteering at the Dujiangyan Panda Base by preparing food for the pandas, cutting bamboo leaves, making Wowotou, and watching documentaries. Renowned for its scenic beauty, Qingcheng Mountain is also famous for being a Taoist Mountain and thus, the fresh air and tranquility makes the visit worthwhile.
Return to Chengdu to visit the Jinsha Site Museum and glimpse the glorious history of ancient Shu civilization. Stroll through People’s Park,enjoy the leisurely life of the locals, and taste authentic Sichuan snacks on Jinli Pedestrian Street. On the last day of your guided Chengdu tour, admire the largest stone Buddha in the world. The whole journey is a slow pace, designed for an immersive experience.
Travel destinations: Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Leshan
Suitable for: Culture Lovers, Slow-paced Travelers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Experience caring for giant pandas, preparing their food, and learning about their living habits at Dujiangyan.
- Walk up the Qingcheng Mountain and enjoy the lush forests, ancient temples, and Taoist culture.
- Immerse in a slow-paced life and taste the local snacks on Jinli Street.
- Marvel at the world’s largest stone Buddha.
- Appreciate precious cultural relics dating back to three thousand years ago.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu
Welcome to Chengdu, the hometown of the giant panda! Upon your arrival at Chengdu airport/train station, our driver will pick you up from the exit gate with a welcome board, and drive you to the downtown hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: in Chengdu
- Day 2: Panda Volunteer TourSpend a Day Experiencing the Daily Life of Taking Care of Pandas
Today will be the highlight of your Chengdu trip as you will experience a day as a panda caretaker.
At about 7 o'clock in the morning, drive from the hotel for about one hour to Dujiangyan Panda Base, which is the only scientific research institution in China that focuses on preventing and controlling panda diseases and saving pandas from the wild. Here, you will see fluffy giant pandas sleeping, chewing bamboo, and climbing trees.
The volunteer activity starts at 8:40 am. Firstly, you will be assigned a set of work clothes and a pair of gloves, and then the staff explains the precautions and conduct pre-job training. Afterward, go to the panda breeding site. Led to clean up the work area, experienced splitting bamboo, cleaning bamboo shoots, transporting bamboo, and other related tasks. Next, you will watch the caretakers feed giant pandas and learn about their living habits.
Dujiangyan Panda Base Lunch will be enjoyed in the park. After taking a short break, watch a documentary about giant pandas. Next, learn how to make wowotou (steamed bread of corn) and understand the recipe of pandas. Then, cut bamboo leaves for the elderly giant panda. After completing all activities, you will get a volunteer experience certificate.
We will spend the night in Dujiangyan city.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Dujiangyan
- Day 3: Dujiangyan to ChengduDeep Experience from History to Local Slow Paced Life
After breakfast, you will go to Qingcheng Mountain, a world cultural heritage. It is one of the Four Great Taoist Mountains in China. Here, you will witness the perfect combination of natural beauty and Taoist culture. The whole mountain is evergreen all year round, with peaks surrounding and winding paths leading to secluded places. You can try walking up to the mountaintop and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Along the way, be guided to visit some temples and find inner peace. If climbing is too difficult for you, you can take a cable car (optional, extra charge).
Afterward, drive back to Chengdu to visit the Jinsha Site Museum, where there are thousands of cultural relics dating back to three thousand years ago. Appreciate precious cultural relics such as the golden sun bird disc, golden mask, bronze standing figure, and learn about the stories behind them.
Gold Mask in Jinsha Site Museum Continue to the busy People's Park, a place for locals to relax. Have a cup of tea in a tea house (at your own expense), catch a glimpse of the slow paced life in Chengdu, and watch the locals play Tai Chi, Mahjong, and dance. Finally, explore the bustling Jinli Pedestrian Street. There are Qing Dynasty style buildings and various Chengdu snacks and souvenirs.
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: in Chengdu
- Day 4: Chengdu DepartureAdmire the China's Largest Cliff Carved Statue
After hotel breakfast, drive for 2 hours from Chengdu City to visit Leshan Giant Buddha. Located at the confluence of the Dadu River, Qingyi River, and Minjiang River, it is the largest cliff carved statue in China, with a total height of 71 meters (233 feet). The Buddha was excavated in 713 AD during the Tang Dynasty and took about 90 years to complete. Along the steps, you can experience the grandeur of the Buddha up close. Also, you can pay on site to take a boat ride for a panoramic view of the Buddha (optional).
Leshan Giant Buddha After lunch, drive to Chengdu airport / train station for your departure. Your 4-day Chengdu panda tour comes to a perfect end. (Note: you are suggested to book a flight depart after 6:00 pm)
Meal: Breakfast + Lunch
Accommodation: N/A
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
