Panda Volunteer Experience in China

When Is The Best Time To Volunteer?

This project runs on various dates throughout the year. There are a few events that may make some months more popular than others:

March - May: this is panda mating season, and as a result the bears may be moved for mating research purposes. Volunteers who visit during this season may be able to help the keepers to move the pandas, though please note that this is not a guarantee. Additionally, strict regulations and security conditions forbid volunteers to take part in the actual mating research.

June - August: this is arguably the most popular time of the year, as it’s panda cub season! Volunteers across these months may be lucky enough to see young pandas at the centre, so if this is something which excites you, be sure to book your place early as spaces fill up fast!

November - February: this is the quietest time of the year, but the benefit of this is that you may get to spend a little extra time with the pandas – after all, the fewer people there are involved, the busier you’ll need to be!

Weather

In addition to the above events, Chengdu’s weather may have some bearing on your preferred month of travel. Each season is described below:

Spring: Falling between mid-February and April, Springtime is a beautiful time to visit Chengdu. The city (and its nearby areas) are in full-bloom, and if you’re looking to fill your spare time with things to do, consider witnessing the blossoms at Longquan Mountain and Xinjin County!

Summer: China’s summers are known for being incredibly humid, and Chengdu is no exception. While summer lasts between May and August, it’s July and August which draw the hottest weather and the rainiest days. That said, much of your time at the project may be spent indoors as you prepare food for the pandas, and Jiulong Valley (around 1:45hr away) is a great place to go if you wish to escape the heat of the city.

Autumn: Temperatures drop between September and October, and there may be a lot of rain (particularly in the early days of Autumn). However, temperatures are far more comfortable for working in, and Chengdu’s local natural areas are covered in beautiful red maple and yellow chrysanthemum, so grab your camera and get snapping!

Winter: Wintertime can be very chilly indeed, with temperatures dropping to around 5 °C (41 °F) between the months of November and mid-February. Much like in summer, however, you may find much of your time spent working indoors, and with less tourists around, this is a great opportunity to sneak a few extra peeks at those pandas!

Getting There

You will need to arrive into Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on the start date of your project (a Sunday) between 1pm and 6pm and you will be transferred to a local hostel to begin your adventure. Pick up is at the exit of corresponding to your flight, and your volunteer coordinator will accompany you via an airport bus to the hostel. Chengdu can be reached via a number of larger international airports. If you arrive a day before you are free to make your way to the Kehuayuan Hostel, but please inform us of this before you depart.  

Visa Requirements

A visa is needed for entry into China, and applications must be made in person at a Visa Application Centre as biometric data (such as scanned fingerprints) are necessary. Visas for British citizens are priced from £85 (additional fees may apply); you can read more about visa fees and start an application here. If you are not a British citizen, you will either need to speak to your own country’s embassy, or you may be able to find out more information by clicking here. Please note that visa applications should be made well in advance of your time on the project.

Criminal Background Check

It is a requirement for all participants to submit a criminal background check, prior to arrival. 

Fitness & Skills

The work required during this project is not overly exerting, but it is advised that all participants have a moderate level of fitness. No specific skills or experience are required, just commitment to the project and its aims. You must be prepared to work alongside other members of the team.

Vaccinations

The vaccinations required will depend on your medical history. We recommend that you consult with your GP regarding your own immunisation needs. In conjunction with this, we would recommend that you check Fit for Travel’s website.