Panda Volunteer and Gorgeous Nine Valley
Jiuzhaigou Valley is approximately 4800 meters above sea level and covers over 72,000 hectares. The valley itself is a unique ecosystem where stunning karst rock formations and a majestic waterfall can be found. The valley is home to over 140 bird species and other endangered animals, as well as plants. The animals that can be found there include the giant panda and Sichuan takin. There, you can do some volunteering by taking care of the giant pandas. The work includes collecting food (bamboo and fruits), feeding the pandas with bamboos, apples and vegetables, or cleaning and sterilizing the cages and the public area. Additionally, you could give showers to the pandas, among other tasks. Anything you end up doing at the valley will be incredibly rewarding.
Chengdu, Bifengxia Panda Reserve and Jiuzhaigou/Nine Valley
Day 1: Chengdu - Your personal guide and driver will be waiting for you at the airport to escort you to the hotel. The rest of the day is for you to take a stroll down Jinli Ancient Street to try local snacks.
Hotels recommended: luxury hotels - Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu, InterContinental Century City Chengdu Kempinski Hotel Chengdu or similar; Boutique hotel - Old Chengdu Club
Day 2: Chengdu/Bifengxia - Today is a full day trip to Bifengxia Valley Scenic Area to see pandas up close. The ride takes about two hours. There are more than 80 pandas living in the valley, which gives you an opportunity to hold a panda for pictures at an additional cost. Bifeng Valley boasts of luxurious vegetation, steep valleys and numerous waterfalls. Lunch is later arranged in a scenic area.
Hotel recommended: Nanshuige Resort & Spa Convention Center or similar
Day 3: Bifengxia Panda Reserve - Today you get to a have once in a lifetime experience. You’ll be volunteering around pandas. You will wear a special sanitary uniform to carry panda food and clean cages and pandas. You’ll have the chance to feed the pandas with apples or bamboo leaves and make observation notes, among other things.
Day 4: Bifengxia/Jiuzhaigou Valley - You’ll arrive at Chengdu airport for a morning flight to Jiuzhaigou Valley. Shortly after, lunch will be provided. Lunch will be followed by a trip to the Jiuzhaigou Scenic and Historic Interest Area which is about two hours away. The famed Jiuzhaigou Valley, also nicknamed Fairyland, was formed by Shuzheng valley, Rize valley and Zaru Valley. Shuttle bus rides are given to the Valley. The best time to visit Shuzheng valley is in the afternoon.
Hotel recommended: InterContinental Resort Jiuzhai Paradise, Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort or similar
Day 5: Jiuzhaigou Valley - Today will be a day tour inside the Valley to visit Rize valley and Zaru Valley (Tibetan rural scenery) at a leisurely pace. Lunch is later arranged in q scenic area.
Day 6: Jiuzhaigou Vally/Chengdu - You’ll head for the airport to catch a flight back to Chengdu in the morning. Your guide and driver in Chengdu will meet you and take you to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. The ride takes about 1.5 hours. Dujiangyan was first built in Qin Dynasty (256 BC) by the local officer Li Bing and his son. It is the greatest and oldest of its kind in the world. The special design of Yuzui water-dividing Dike, the Feishayan Spillway and the Baopingkou Water Inlet function as flood control, irrigation and shipping. A tea ceremony or a Sichuan Changing Face Show can be arranged as night entertainment by request.
Day 7: Chengdu - Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and escort you to the airport for your next destination.
Meals: breakfast included in the hotel, fine local restaurants for lunch or dinner upon your request
- Note: the Panda Volunteer and Gorgeous Nine Valley tour itinerary mentioned above is only a sample; we can customize this tour to meet your requests.
