- Highlights
- Itinerary
- Accommodation
- Inclusions/Exclusions
- Important Info
Highlights
There is no doubt Chengdu has heart and you’ll find it here in spades when you take this mini tour with its focus on natural wonders. Enjoy the once in a lifetime experience of working as a panda volunteer at the Dujiangyan Panda Base. Learn firsthand from those who care for them daily and follow their lead by preparing the food for pandas and cleaning the working area. Shift gears and travel to Mount Qingcheng. A remarkable tribute to Taoist culture, you’ll find magnificent views of natural beauty awaits. Spend the final day exploring Jinli Street, a treasure trove of art, craft, and local street food. Including two nights hotel accommodation, daily breakfasts, transfers, panda volunteer experience, and the opportunity to grow in understanding of the heart China, this mini tour is an ideal add on to other China tour adventures. Book today!
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Chengdu
Start your classic panda adventure when you arrive in Chengdu and are greeted by your knowledgeable local guide. From either the airport or train station, you’ll be driven to your hotel in air conditioned comfort. Enjoy a relaxed introduction to Chengdu on route, and once checked in to your hotel, get out and wander the area in close proximity. Remember to speak with your guide for advice on local sights and dining options. They will be able to assist and even help you order if necessary. It’s the perfect way to experience local Chengdu life.
Meals included: None
Day 2 – Chengdu – Dujiangyan Panda Base 
Today, you will work as a panda volunteer when you visit the Dujiangyan Panda Base. In your role, you will clean the working area, prepare bamboos, make panda’s favorite food of “Wowotou” (steamed corn breads), learn scientific facts about the pandas, and closely watch the keepers feeding and training the pandas. Panda keepers will supervise your activities, with translation provided by your guide. A certificate will be provided as a memento from this very special day. At the conclusion of today’s excursion, you will be transferred to your hotel in Dujiangyan.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tips:
1. Panda Keeper Program has an age limit from 8 years to 70 years. For children under 8 years who are accompanied by an adult, they can take the standard panda tour in the panda base, but not be able to be the panda volunteers due to the age restriction.
2. As a maximum of 60 keepers are allowed each day, it is advisable that you book the program at least two weeks before your departure. You will appreciate that sometimes adjustments may be made to the program due to pandas’ health condition. Accurate information about the program will be provided to you by our travel consultants as soon as we are advised.
3. Each Panda Keeper Program applicant must provide a Physical Examination Record prior to the commencement of the day’s activities.
4. Panda keepers are strongly advised to be guided by their supervisors and should approach the animals with extreme caution and only under supervision. Though pandas look gentle, they are animals and their behaviors can be unpredictable.
5. On the day working as the panda keepers, wear the pants and comfortable shoes with good traction. And should not apply perfume, nail polish, strong fragranced skincare, sunscreen, and insect repellent, because the pandas are very sensitive to smell.
Day 3 – Dujiangyan - Mt. Qingcheng - Chengdu
Fortify yourself with a hearty hotel breakfast because today’s adventure requires stamina and enthusiasm. On arrival of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Qingcheng, you will hike 20 minutes from the entrance to Yuecheng Lake. Here you will be transferred by boat to the cable car station to ascend the hill. Enjoy the perfect view from the mountain top following an additional half hour walk to the peak. There’ll be the opportunity to stopover at the Taoist temples found here and contemplate the commitment of their creators from centuries ago. In the afternoon, drive to Chengdu and return to your hotel in airconditioned comfort and enjoy the opportunity to dine out or take in a local cultural experience.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day4 – Chengdu and Departure
After checking out of your hotel, you’ll have the chance to visit the heart of Chengdu when you visit Jinli Street. Lined with unique regional street food and artisans, you’ll find yourself immersed in typical local culture and have the opportunity to sample traditional food snacks and meet local craftsmen. The final stop for today allows you to enjoy some leisure time in Wangjiang Pavilion Park where you can amble among the rare bamboo groves and drink fragrant Chinese teas, another of Chengdu’s treasures. From here you’ll be transferred to the airport or train station for travel to your next destination.
Meals included: Breakfast
Travel Note: We love helping our customers make the most of their available travel time. Need help planning your next destination? We can help. With a network that extends all over China, we can take care of every detail and arrange your departure train or flight from Chengdu – or anywhere else while you’re in China. Kindly note a surcharge will apply
Accommodation
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
- Activities specified in the itinerary
- Excellent professional English-speaking guide
- Ground transportation in air-conditioned vehicle with licensed driver as specified
- 4 star or 5 star hotel accommodation with breakfast, based on double/twin occupancy as specified
- Travel agency liability insurance during the tour
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions
- International/domestic flights/trains to/from Chengdu
- China visa
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of personal nature
- Meals: Lunches and dinners are excluded allowing you flexibility around meal choices. Your guide is able to make recommendations and order for you, if required.
- Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.
Important Information
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. No other travelers will join you. It’s always available for your schedule.
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown above are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival etc.).
Joy was an absolute Joy
