LIVE Streaming: Meet Pandas at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Exceptional Experience

My two nieces spent the day volunteering at the center and this was the highlight of their 2 week trip. I recommend it but encourage you to know the real cost associated with the day. There was an additional charge to be paid in cash at the beginning of the trip. (1400 RMB EACH) Once on their way, they found out they would not receive a photo with the pandas- even tho they were cleaning cages and feeding the pandas all day. This was another additional charge (1800 RMB each) to be paid in cash. The girls called us and at that point we felt blind-sided. We then spent the next two hours getting enough cash to pay for these "extras". The experience was amazing and I wouldn't take away from that. The girls loved their guide and felt she gave them an exceptional day. She was not responsible for the confusion and actually paid for the photos until we could reimburse her. Just know the entire cost before you finalize your day.

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Amazing day.. You will smile all day long

Had an amazing day here with a great guide from China Highlights, mickah. What a star, full of information and happy to take photo s for me whilst we were working. I would thoroughly recommend this esp for those who want to avoid big crowds.

Response from the operator: Hi there， Glad to know that you like China highlights.We do strive to do our best to make each trip better. We are looking forward to serving you again. Regards, China Highlights Customer-care Team

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Wonderful Experience

We had an absolutely amaaaaazing time in chengdu with Micah and china highlights. Micah was a wonderful tour guide and so attentive. He made sure the day before that we knew when he would come get us in the morning. In the morning he met us promptly and outlined our day. He was very knowledgeable about the pandas and their history. My partner and I are also vegetarian and he brought fruit and sandwiches for us just in case there was not many vegetarian dishes for lunch. We got to work in a panda pen, feed pandas, and take pictures with them. They're so cute and magical! :) Got some great memories from this trip and definitely recommend this tour to anyone!

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Panda Volunteer - Best Day Ever!

This had been a dream for several years and the one day volunteer experience at the Dujiangyan Giant Panda Center far exceeded our expectations. Our guide for the day was Snow and she picked us up at the hotel at 7:00 am so that we'd arrive at the Panda Center before 9:00. Our private car was roomy, comfortable, and the driver was extremely safe. After signing the requisite paperwork and donning blue overalls, we were off on our work detail at one of the giant panda enclosures. Presented with two options, handling the bamboo or picking up panda poop, we chose the bamboo detail. It consisted of picking up bamboo from the panda's last feeding both outside and in an enclosure. After hauling it outside, we broke up new bamboo and placed it out for the panda. Finally, we hosed down the inside enclosure. Other reviews indicate that their work time only lasted about 20 minutes or so - ours was definitely twice that length of time or more - and was probably a bit more strenuous than we anticipated. Folks picking up the panda poop definitely had an easier work experience - and since the pandas have an all vegetarian diet, there is relatively little odor from the panda poop. While we were working, Snow took pictures so we have plenty of images from our day at the site. After the work detail, we had the opportunity to walk around the Panda Center observing most of the 25 pandas who live there. Being January, during most of the visit we were able to view the pandas all alone in utter quiet - no sounds heard except the occasional birds or pandas themselves - priceless. For lunch we dined with Panda Center workers and other visitors - the meal was perfectly fine - if you are a somewhat cautious or picky eater, China Highlights encourages you to bring your own snacks. The highlight of the day was getting to individually feed one of the giant pandas once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Before leaving (and assuming you complete your work assignments), you get a certificate from the Panda Center. This was a spectacular experience and the tour offered through China Highlights and our guide Snow did not disappoint!

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Amazing Experience

My daughter and I enjoyed our private tour as a panda volunteer. There were four people in my party including my friend and his daughter. Our tour guide Snow and driver Wu picked us up promptly at our hotel early morning. Snow gave us a good introduction of the giant panda research program in Dujianyan, details of the Center and a preview of our day during our car ride to the Center. I have used English Speaking private tour guides in China before and Snow's ability to converse with us was outstanding. After arrival at the Center, we saw pandas going about their day in the fresh and crisp morning air, with the beautiful mountains in the backdrop. We saw pandas in very close range. There were not that many visitors probably because it was a weekday in December. We cleaned the panda enclosures, hand-fed a panda, and broke the fresh bamboo into smaller segments. We ate lunch at the cafeteria for the employees, then spent more time checking out the pandas. There are three tiers of the panda enclosures at the Center and they all offer something different. It was an incredible experience that words can't describe. One thing the Center could improve on is the outreach and education program, perhaps creating some interactive educational display at the center.

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