China Giant Panda Volunteer Programs

Where to see the pandas in China?

There are several places you can see pandas in China: Beijing Zoo, Chongqing Zoo, Guilin Seven Star Park and Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The best place to see pandas is Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Where to be a panda volunteer?

You can choose Bifengxia Panda Base or Dujiang Weir Giant Panda Research Centre.

Dujiangyan Base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda
Dujiangyan Base of China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) is a professional organization committed to the rescue and disease control researches of giant pandas nationwide. The base is located in Shiqiao Village, Qingchengshan City of Dujiangyan Prefecture, about 18 km or 1 hour’s drive from Dujiangyan city area. It was built with the help of the Hong Kong SAR Government, taking up an area of 760 mu (hectares) next to Mt Qingcheng, China’s sacred Taoist mountain. The base is built in typical folk house style of West Sichuan, with lush bamboo forests, manicured lawn and winding paths, offering a refreshing environment. The whole base is divided into 6 function areas: rescue and quarantine area, disease control and research area, rehabilitation and training area, public reception and education area, natural vegetation area, and office and logistics area. It is worth mentioning that Dujiangyan Base possesses suitable climate and natural environment for giant pandas – it was designed and built on national green standards, with favorable location next to giant panda world heritage habitat, providing abundant supply of edible bamboo for giant pandas. At present, the first batch of 10 giant pandas rescued from wilderness has come to stay at the base, and hopefully it will have a capacity for the rescue and rehabilitation of 40 giant pandas. Wolong Research Base indicates that Wolong has a captive population of 170 giant pandas distributed in over 20 cities nationwide and across the world. Dujiangyan Base is the first research base in China focusing on the rescue and disease control research for one single species – giant pandas.

Ya'an Bifengxia Research Base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda

Ya’an Bifengxia Research Base of China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) is located in Bifengxia Scenic Area north of Ya’an City. It is 18 km from Ya’an city area, 150 km (3 hours’ drive) from Chengdu City. With an area of 1074 mu (72 hectares), it now has 22 giant pandas in captivity. Bifengxia Research Base is a big comprehensive giant panda park with functions of feeding, breeding, research, rescue and public education.
The base is equipped with over 20 laboratories and venues including giant panda breeding ground, kindergarten, hospital, and research institute, and grows abundant edible bamboos. The free-range area is 10 times larger than the base with mountains, forests, bamboos and water. Over 100 members of staff work for about 70 giant pandas around the base.

1. Dujiangyan Base offers carefully designed activities for volunteer panda keepers, such as watching films about giant panda, knowledge popularization, panda feeding, making panda food, and fun quiz.
2. Volunteer panda keepers can take sightseeing cart free of charge to visit around the base (except during noon break 12:00-14:00).
3. Have lunch at staff canteen with 'panda people'.

The most convenient way to apply for a volunteer program is through a travel agent who can offer a package including the program itself, a transfer from Chengdu to the panda base, and a translator/guide for some sections of the day.
As the first tour operator to arrange a Panda Keeper Program, China Highlights proudly provides various choices of panda tours to meet your requirements.
From spending a private evening with pandas to being a giant panda keeper and from being a baby panda nanny to tracking wild pandas in a remote nature reserve, your wish is our command.