1-Day Dujiangyan Self-Guided Tour: Panda Volunteer and Water Irrigation System

Chengdu , China

1-Day Dujiangyan Self-Guided Tour: Panda Volunteer and Water Irrigation System

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About this experience

Visit highlights of Dujiangyan including the Dujiangyan Panda Base volunteer program and Dujiangyan Water Irrigation System with this self-guided day tour from Chengdu.

You will be picked up and dropped off from your Chengdu hotel.

Available options

1-Day Dujiangyan Self-Guided Tour: Panda Volunteer and Water Irrigation System

Pickup included

What's included

The private car & private driver

Air-conditioned vehicle

Detailed itinerary

In the morning, our driver will meet you at 7:10am of your hotel lobby then transfer to Dujiangyan Panda Base( has English speaking staff services you), need 1.5hrs driving, 70km.

NOTE: The " Self-guided" tour will be no tour guide, only with the private car and Chinese speaking driver for the whole trip. Since you booked the " Self-guided" tour, Your local tour operator(English speaking) will confirm everything with you after booking, like the pickup time, how to travel for each sites and our driver will have pone translate App and it's easy to communicate with you.

Stop 2

If you love pandas, what better way to get up close with them and contribute to their welfare than this 1-day volunteer program at Dujiangyan Panda Base in Sichuan? An experience you'll never forget, not only will you work alongside members of the Panda Base staff, you'll be visiting them in their home, learning about conservation and helping to conduct behavioral scientific research on giant and red pandas.

You'll arrive at the Research Base entrance around 08:30, where you'll be met by conservation education staff who will act as your translator and guide, before they escort you to the panda enclosure to meet the keeper—your teacher for the day.

You'll work alongside the keeper who will assign you tasks including cleaning the pandas' enclosures, food preparation

After lunch, the staff will meet you and escort you back to the enclosure—the Panda Base is very big and it's easy to get lost in the maze of trails.

Stop 3

Next, go to the Dujiangyan Ancient Irrigation System and need 30 minutes driving. About 2,200 years ago, Chengdu was threatened by the frequent floods caused by the flooding of the Minjiang River. So the local official of the Shu state, Li Bing, together with his son, decided to construct an irrigation system on the River t prevent flooding. After a lengthy study and years’ hard work by the local people, the great Dujiangyan Irrigation Project was completed. Nowadays, the project still plays a crucial role in draining off floodwater, irrigating farms and providing water resources for more than 50 cities in Sichuan province.

When you finished the Dujiangyan tour, our driver will takes you to your hotel.

What's not included

The charge of the Panda volunteer: 700CNY per person with the lunch

The entrance ticket of water Irrigation System: 90CNY per person

Available languages

Guide guide

CMN EN

Important information

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

The driver may does not speak English, but he knows exactly where to take you to go. If any questions, The driver can talking with you with the phone translate app or you can contact the local operator for assistance by using the driver's mobile.

The Dujiangyan Panda Base staff can speaking English

About Chengdu

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is renowned as the home of the giant panda and famous for its rich history, spicy cuisine, and vibrant culture. This ancient city offers a unique blend of traditional charm and modern urban development, with lush tea houses, bustling markets, and stunning natural landscapes.

Top Attractions

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

This world-renowned research base is home to over 120 giant pandas. Visitors can observe these adorable creatures up close and learn about conservation efforts.

Nature 2-3 hours ¥55

Jinli Ancient Street

A well-preserved ancient street with traditional architecture, local snacks, and cultural performances. It's a great place to experience Sichuan's rich history and culture.

Historical 1-2 hours Free (shopping and food at additional cost)

Wenshu Monastery

One of the oldest and best-preserved Buddhist monasteries in China. It's known for its peaceful atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and vegetarian cuisine.

Religious 1-2 hours Free (donations welcome)

Dujiangyan Irrigation System

An ancient irrigation system built over 2,000 years ago. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to ancient Chinese engineering.

Historical Half day ¥80

Chengdu Panda Base

A research and breeding center for giant pandas. Visitors can see pandas in a natural setting and learn about conservation efforts.

Nature 2-3 hours ¥55

Must-Try Local Dishes

Mapo Tofu

A spicy tofu dish with minced meat, typically pork or beef, and fermented black beans. It's known for its numbing spiciness.

Dinner Vegetarian versions available.

Dan Dan Noodles

Noodles topped with a spicy sauce made from chili oil, Sichuan pepper, minced pork, and scallions. It's a popular street food.

Lunch/Dinner Can be made vegetarian.

Hot Pot

A communal dining experience where diners cook raw ingredients in a shared pot of boiling broth. Sichuan hot pot is known for its spicy broth.

Dinner Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available.

Sichuan Dumplings

Steamed or boiled dumplings filled with minced pork, shrimp, or vegetables. They're often served with a spicy dipping sauce.

Lunch/Dinner Vegetarian options available.

Popular Activities

Hiking Mountain biking Rock climbing Tea house visits Spa treatments Park picnics Museum visits Temple tours

Best Time to Visit

March to May, September to November

Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The city is less crowded during these periods compared to summer.

15-25°C 59-77°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: Mandarin
Widely spoken: Sichuanese, English (limited)
English: Limited

Currency

Renminbi (RMB) (CNY)

Time Zone

CST (UTC+8)

Electricity

220VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Chengdu is generally safe for travelers, with low crime rates. However, as with any major city, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure
• Use licensed taxis
• Be cautious of strangers offering help or services

Getting there

By air

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport • 16 km from city center
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport • 45 km from city center

By train

Chengdu Railway Station, Chengdu East Railway Station

By bus

Chengdu Long-Distance Bus Station, Chengdu North Long-Distance Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

The metro system is efficient and covers most of the city. It's a convenient and affordable way to get around.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Didi Chuxing

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Jinli Ancient Street Wuhou Shrine Chunxi Road Kuanzhai Alley

Day trips

Mount Qingcheng

60 km from Chengdu • Full day

A scenic mountain known for its beautiful landscapes, ancient temples, and hiking trails. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great escape from the city.

Leshan Giant Buddha

130 km from Chengdu • Full day

A massive stone statue of Buddha carved into a cliff face during the Tang Dynasty. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a remarkable feat of ancient engineering.

Jiuzhaigou Valley

340 km from Chengdu • Overnight

A stunning national park known for its colorful lakes, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for nature lovers.

Festivals

Sichuan Festival • Late August Lantern Festival • February (Lunar calendar) Chengdu International Non-violence Week • October

Pro tips

Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases to enhance your experience and interact with locals.
Try the local street food, but be cautious and choose busy stalls with high turnover.
Visit the Chengdu Panda Base early in the morning to see the pandas at their most active.
Explore the city's tea houses and experience the rich tea culture of Sichuan.
Take a day trip to Mount Qingcheng or Jiuzhaigou Valley for a stunning natural experience.