2 Days Panda Volunteer Experience

Direct bus for Dujiangyan Irrigation Project is available every day. There are 2 buses from the Wuhou Temple South Suburb Park parking lot, departing at 10:30 and 12:30 and one from the head of the narrow alley of Changshunshang Street no. 127, departing at 10:30. It's the easiest way which takes CNY29 and around one and a half hour. However, if you miss the direct buses, there are also intercity trains. You can take subway line 2/6 or the bus such as 116, 119, 231, 708, 710, 720, 723, G174 and etc. to Xipu Railway Station first. Then change to the trains, which takes CNY10 for the soft seat and are available every half or one hour from 07:36 to 23:07. After around 25 minutes, you will arrive Dujiangyan Railway Station, where you could take bus no. 4, 9, or 32 directly to Liduigongyuan station, which is only 220 meters (722 feet) far from Dujiangyan Irrigation Project scenic area.

The entrance ticket is CNY80 (Excluding the optional sightseeing bus which takes CNY15 for round way and CNY10 for single way). To understand more about this marvelous irrigation system, you would better rent a self-service audio guide device at the ticket office at a fee of CNY20 each. 2 hours are enough to finish the visiting. After that, take bus no. 101 to reach Mount Qingcheng, which takes nearly 2 hours.

The mountain is divided into two parts, the front mountain and the back mountain. The front is the main part, which includes an abundance of cultural relics and historic sites. The back remains quite pristine, which is more suitable for hike lovers. You can choose either of them to hike. The entrance fee is CNY90 for the front mountain and CNY20 for the back part. If you are tired, the cable cars are also available, which takes CNY60 for round trip (CNY35 for single trip) in the front mountain and CNY55 for round trip (CNY30 for single trip) for the Jinli cable car and CNY60 for round trip (CNY30 for single trip) for the Baiyun cable car in the back mountain.

After the visiting, find a hotel in Qingcheng Town or Dujiangyan City area and stay overnight.

As the Panda keeper volunteer program starts early, you're suggested to take a taxi to Dujiangyan Giant Panda Base, which takes around CNY20 and 15 minutes from Qingcheng Town. Located in the small town, this base enjoys a favorable climate and natural environment with large bamboo forest coverage and beautiful scenic surroundings, a perfect place for giant pandas.

To participate in this program, you need to sign up for it in advance. You can email them to pandaeducatecenter@163.com, or call them at 028-69290315 or 028-68714488. The staff will send you the application form and the health declaration form. Complete the two forms and submit them to the base and after a while, you will get their confirmation. The panda keeper program fee is CNY700 per person on a day.

The volunteer work starts from 08:30 and ends at 16:00. You are required to wear the uniform and follow your supervisor instructions while working. During your volunteer day, you will clean up bamboos, pick up droppings, wash the enclosures, and prepare food for the pandas. Lunch is included and you will also have time to explore the panda rescue exhibition. The English speaking staff will accompany you through the one day experience and introduce you to the knowledge of the giant pandas.

After that, take bus no. 102 or take a taxi which takes around CNY20 to Qingcheng Mountain Express Rail station and then take an intercity train back to Chengdu. The trains reach either Xipu railway station (the main one) or Chengdu railway station. You can book the tickets according to your hotel location and time and after arriving Chengdu, take a taxi or bus back to your hotel.