Asia Internship - Culture Immersion Programs in Asia
Internships, Volunteering, Full-time Job Placement and More
Travel With A Purpose
Panda Volunteering
in West China
Panda Volunteer in China
West China is becoming an increasingly popular backpacker’s destination. Apart from its breath-taking scenery, exotic minority cultures and Buddhist and Taoist temples, it's also home to many of China's endangered species, including China's national treasure - the Giant Panda. We work closely with the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) to offer those who love Chinese culture and pandas a once-in-a-life-time experience to work at the centre as a volunteer.
Panda Volunteer City: Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Population: 15 Million
Language: Mandarin, local dialect
Currency: Chinese Yuan (RMB)
About the Panda Volunteer Program
Location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Duration: 1 week / 2 weeks
Starting time: Every Sunday
Accommodation: Hostel/Guesthouse
Highlights
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An affordable programme comprising both volunteering and sightseeing
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Close contact with the cute giant pandas
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Learn about the CCRCGP panda wilderness training programme
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Meet other volunteers from all over the world
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See the real China and experience local culture
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24/7 onsite support
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Panda volunteer certificate
About the programme
This is a programme designed for those who love animals, have limited time but also want to immerse themselves fully into Chinese culture, with the highlight being volunteering at our panda base for two weeks.
As a volunteer with the Panda Volunteer Programme, you will have the unique opportunity to work with, learn about and interact with the world’s most recognizable endangered species every day at work.
At the end of the programme, you will get a certificate commending your work, as well as a selection of souvenirs including a unique t-shirt.
Volunteer Responsibilities
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Clean panda enclosures
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Feed pandas
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Prepare pandas’ food
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Guide tourists
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Plant bamboo and trees
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Pick Chinese green tea from the nearby tree gardens (seasonally dependent)
The programme is flexible, based on your interests, and subject to change based on the pandas’ needs.
Accommodation
Volunteers are responsible to arrange their first day accommodation in Chengdu city and we will meet volunteers at their hotel in the morning. After you start your volunteering program, you will be staying in Jiezi Ancient Town, an old Chinese-style town 15 minutes by bus from the panda base. Staying in the ancient town allows you to go sightseeing after work, as well as having convenient access to a large number of Chinese restaurants. For volunteers who do 2-week program we will arrange hostel for volunteers over the weekend in Chengdu city so volunteers can do more sight-seeings in the city.
Selected sites around the panda base
Jiezi Ancient Town
The ancient town is located in Chongzhou City in western Chengdu, not far from the famous Qingcheng Mountains. The town has a history of over 1,000 years and boasts 32 temples along with a number of other historical sites. It features an ancient temple, primitive forests, old gingko trees and Nan trees, an ancient stone pagoda and a well-preserved street. The town combines striking natural scenery with both ancient and modern architecture. There are shops selling souvenirs and local food. The town is an excellent spot for taking souvenir photographs.
Mount Qingcheng
Mount Qingcheng is a mountain in Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China. It is one of the most important centres of Taoism in China, hosting many Taoist temples as well as playing host to the Dujiangyan Giant Panda Centre. The mountain has a whole 36 peaks covered by luxuriant and verdant trees and has been dubbed 'the most peaceful and secluded mountain under heaven'. Some of the most exciting and famous destinations here are the Jianfu Palace, the Shangqing Palace, and the Tianshi Cave.
Dujiangyan Irrigation System
Dujiangyan is an irrigation infrastructure built in 256 BC during the Warring States period of China by the State of Qin. It is located near Chengdu in the Min River. It is still in use today to irrigate over 5,300 square kilometres of nearby land. The irrigation system made Sichuan the most productive agricultural region in China. Dujiangyan is the oldest and only surviving no-dam irrigation system in the world, and a wonder in the development of Chinese science, automatically controlling the flow of water between the mountains and the plain throughout the year.
1 week Program Itinerary
Day 1 - Sunday
We will pick you up from the airport on Sunday (10 am to 5 pm - other time may occur extra cost). We will take you to the accommodation (hostel and dorm type) in the city centre and help you to settle down.
Day 2 - Monday
Following that we will do a face to face orientation at our office, introducing culture and customs of this area. In the afternoon we will take you to do some simple shopping before transferring to the panda park the next day. We will also assist you ti purchase a sim card if you are in need of a local sim card.
In the evening we will host a welcome dinner for you at a local restaurant.
Day 3 - Tuesday
After breakfast, we will head to the project site. We will check into a local guesthouse in Jiezi Ancient Town. In the afternoon we will show you around this little ancient town so you can get to know this area well.
Day 4 to 6 - Wednesday to Friday
Volunteers will start their work at the Panda Park. Their work will be supervised and assisted by a staff from the Panda Park. Apart from daily volunteering work, volunteers may have some opportunities to do tea picking near by and some other activities.
Day 7 - Saturday
Free day and volunteer can arrange a site-seeing near Panda Park area, including Qingcheng Mountain, Dujiangyan Irrigation Project. (Entrance fee paid by volunteer himself/herself if any) . We will arrange you to travel back to Chengdu city by train. One-week program will finish on this day.
2 week Program Itinerary
The first week will be the same as the above.
Day 7 - Saturday
Transfer back to Chengdu city and check into a hostel.
Day 8 - Sunday
One day culture experience day arranged by us - including: explore local snacks and tea tasting at a local tea house.
Day 9 - Monday
Free day
Day 11 - Tuesday
Transfer back to the project site in the afternoon.
Day 12- 14 Wednesday to Friday
Daily Volunteering Work at the Panda Park
Day 14 - Receive your program certificate in the afternoon, transfer back to the city and the program completes.
Program Fees
One Week - 990USD
Two Week - 1990USD
Included:
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Pre-departure Information
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Welcome Orientation and Welcome Pack (including SIM card)
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Welcome lunch
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Transfer to Panda Park and back to city when program finishes
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Accommodation during during volunteering days
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Lunches during volunteering days
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In-country support
Not included
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Flights
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Visas
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Insurance
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Any personal costs
Note: All programs require a Registration Fee of $200 USD on top of the Program Fee.
This registration fee allows you to participate in any of our other program without paying another registration fee within a period of 2 years.
WHAT'S MORE
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2 years' free of registration fee to participate in any of our other programs
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Job opportunity/recommendations across Asia
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10% Discount on our other programs