中文  ⁄   EN  ⁄   JP  ⁄   ES

info@absolutepanda.com

Tel:+86 28 85214086; +86 18030879853

 

Trip Details

 7 Days Panda Bases & Buddha Family Tour

7 Days Panda Bases & Buddha Family Tour

Date: All Year Round

Price: From 1640USD/PAX

Trip Focus: Panda + Family

Status: Open to Booking

Route: Chengdu-Leshan-Ya'an-Dujiangyan-Wolong-Dujiangyan-Chengdu

Trip Code: P006

Overview

 

China is a landscape of natural and cultural treasures, featuring a wide variety of timeless world heritage sites and unique animal species such as the iconic giant panda. In this tour of AbsolutePanda, you will enjoy a jam-packed week of discovery as we tour Sichuan province in search of some Southwestern China’s most coveted destinations. Whether it is getting up close and personal with the world’s largest captive panda population, hiking through the temperate bamboo wilderness or visiting the world’s largest sitting Buddha statue, this once in a lifetime opportunity will show you just what makes Sichuan a place you don't want to leave. 


Highlights:

 See the largest captive population of pandas in the world at the Chengdu Panda Base.

 Experience the routine work of a panda keeper by working in a panda enclosure.

 Gain an in-depth understanding of the daily lives of captive pandas.

 Be recognized for your hard work with a panda volunteer certificate commemorating your contributions to the Giant Panda conservation.

 Come to face to face with pandas and other captive animals available in the respective base.

 Travel through Sichuan with a team of dedicated and experienced, local guides.  

 Visit one of the world's largest sitting Buddha statues, the Leshan Giant Buddha.


Introduction to Trip Destinations and Activities:
 

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Chengdu Panda Base) attracts tourists and wildlife enthusiasts worldwide. Conveniently located a short drive away from downtown, this state of the art research facility comfortably houses more pandas than anywhere else within China or abroad. During your visit, you will see pandas ranging from young cubs to lumbering adults as well as the elusive and adorable Red Panda. Additionally, the scenic, garden-like atmosphere of the panda base is especially ideal for urban birding like Red-billed Leiothrix, White-browed Laughingthrush, Ruddy Shelduck, Chinese Blackbird, Spotted Dove, etc.



Leshan Giant Buddha
Holding the distinction as one of the world’s largest sitting Buddhas and oldest pre-modern structures, the Leshan Buddha has become one of China’s most iconic world heritage sites. Located in the nearby city of Leshan, this cultural marvel is easily accessible for groups traveling from Chengdu. Leshan Giant Buddha is the world-largest stone Buddha, a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site since 1996 by UNESCO. The 70-meter high Giant Buddha was carved out of rock from a hill called Linyun Mountain located at the junction of the Minjiang River, Dadu, and Qingyi Rivers. The immense project was initiated by a monk called Haitong in 713 A.D during the Tang Dynasty to calm the turbulent river. The whole project lasted 90 years.


Bifengxia Panda Base
Located just a short drive from the city of Ya’an, the Bifengxia Panda Base is widely considered the best of Sichuan’s panda bases to visit for those wanting to view these animals in a natural setting. The pandas here enjoy naturalistic enclosures placed against a tranquil temperate environment. It is not uncommon to spot some of the base’s resident pandas hanging from the branches of the parks' many trees. Located near the Bifengxia Panda Base, the scenic area at the Bifengxia Gorge is a breathtaking natural setting featuring panoramic views of the rugged temperate forests of central Sichuan. This area will prove to be the ideal setting for a leisurely hike.
 

Wolong Panda Base
Once you have seen what Chengdu has to offer, we will hit the road and head north into the Panda’s natural habitat. As we climb in elevation, you will watch as the scenery changes from farmlands to mountainous, temperate bamboo forests. It is in this verdant landscape that we will stop at the world-famous Wolong Panda Base. This reserve provides the best opportunity to photograph pandas against the backdrop of the misty mountain habitat they call home. Witness as caretakers bring baby pandas stacks of bamboo and milk to gorge themselves on. This park is a must-see for all panda enthusiasts!
 

Dujiangyan Panda Valley
Dujiangyan Panda Valley is also called the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Dujiangyan Field Research Center for Giant Pandas. Dujiangyan Panda Valley has been built in 2010 with an area of 140 hectares. The valley is a narrow strip with streams flowing through and edible bamboo for giant pandas. Dujiangyan Panda Valley is divided into three parts: the experimental area, semi-wild reintroduction area and reintroduction area. After all the constructions, it will be home to 30 to 40 giant pandas, 50 to 100 red pandas and other wild animals. Dujiangyan Panda Valley not only provides a leisurely panda viewing experience to its guests but also plays a crucial role in the future of the species’ preservation. 


Dujiangyan Panda Base
Dujiangyan Panda Base, also called Dujiangyan Panda Ark, is located at the foot of Mt. Qingcheng. Mainly focusing on panda rescue, husbandry, and disease control, its facilities have a critical impact on the continued survival of the Giant Panda. It takes about a 1.5-2 hours drive from downtown Chengdu to arrive at the base. The base has several pandas rescued from the wild and some others are returned from overseas, such as the famous panda-Taishan who was born in Washington D.C. Our visit to the panda base here will feature the exciting hands-on opportunity to assist the panda caretakers in their daily routine of cleaning panda enclosures and hand-feeding pandas.

 

Dujiangyan Irrigation System
With over 2,200 years of history, the ancient irrigation system in Dujiangyan is known as the only ancient irrigation project of its kind still at work till now. Built in the 3rd century BC, Dujiangyan Irrigation System is a world-famous irrigation project reflecting the high wisdom of the ancient Chinese people. This project is credited with having turn the vast fertile land in Chengdu Plain into a breadbasket and made it known as a Land of Abundance in China. In 2000, the irrigation system was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List together with the neighboring Taoist Qingcheng Mountain. 
 

Hot Pot
By far the most iconic of Chengdu’s dishes, a trip to Sichuan is incomplete without tasting the spicy broth of an authentic hot pot. A particularly social meal, hot pot is best enjoyed with a group of friends sitting around the boiling brazier of soup and spices.








How Can We Make This Trip Special?

 Many times of running this itinerary for western panda funs, nature and culture lovers enables us to ensure your trip is enjoyable and comfortable in the hidden area.

 A team of passionate guides specializing in panda and wildlife with rich experiences of guiding and solid knowledge about local cultures and places.

 This trip can be customized to better meet your travel style by centering on a different focus.

 20-plus years of working in the travel industry and serving travelers from all over the world enable us to know how to make great trips for travelers of different travel styles.
 


 

What makes AbsolutePanda excellent?
 
• We are one of the premier travel companies focusing on panda and other wildlife in China.
We use AbsolutePanda as company brand because of our deep love toward panda and our determination to create your absolutely enjoyable panda trips. 
Since 2003, our professional tour leaders and wildlife experts have helped thousands of travelers gain an in-depth understanding of Giant Panda and their companion animals, enjoy stunning scenery all over China and explore the authentic local culture.
 
• Exclusive Quality & Value Guarantee.
We define our quality by well-designed itineraries, stunning destinations, creative interactions, small groups, professional guides, and reasonable prices.
 
• Explore China in comfort and your style.
We understand each traveler is different. In addition to selected accommodations, meals and vehicles, we would like to show you the real China by an authentic experience with incredible wildlife and lovely locals.
 
• We care and share.
We believe the best way to help wildlife is through love and appreciation. By bringing nature lovers to enjoy the beauty of nature in China, we hope that local people can know the value of wildlife and learn how to love and appreciate those beautiful creatures living near their villages.

 

Map


                                     
Sichuan Panda Bases & Giant Buddha Family Tour Map


 

Itinerary



Outline:

Day 1. Arrive Chengdu. (D)

Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel. Overnight: Chengdu.

Day 2. Chengdu Panda Base-Leshan. 190km 2.5h 
(BLD) 
Chengdu Panda Base tour in the morning then we drive to Leshan. Overnight: Leshan.

Day 3. Leshan Giant Buddha-Ya'an Bifengxia. 140km 2h (BLD)
After visiting the Buddha, we head to Bifengxia Panda Base. Overnight: Bifengxia.

Day 4. Bifengxia-Dujiangyan. 175km 2.5h (BLD)
We visit the panda base and the beautiful gorge before we drive to Dujiangyan. Overnight: Dujiangyan.
 
Day 5. Dujiangyan-Wolong Panda Base-Dujiangyan Panda Valley. 108km 2.5h (BLD)

Today we will visit two great panda bases. Overnight: Dujiangyan.

Day 6. Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Program-Dujiangyan Irrigation System-Chengdu. 90km 2.5h (BLD)
Spend a private and wonderful experience with panda and then drive back to Chengdu via Dujiangyan Irrigation. Overnight: Chengdu

Day 7. Chengdu Departure. (B)
Airport drop off.



Details:

Day 1. Arrive Chengdu. Meals: D
After picking you up from the Shuangliu international airport in Chengdu, we’ll be free to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of the “Panda City” by embarking on a tour of the city that will last the rest of the day.

Overnight: Chengdu Minshan Anyi Hotel 

Day 2. Chengdu Panda Base-Leshan. 190km 2.5h Meals: BLD
On the second day of tour activities, we will leave the hotel early in the morning to visit the city’s panda base to view the extensive collection of pandas. Once we have finished exploring, your team will be escorted to the nearby city of Leshan. From there, we will enjoy a leisurely hike through a tea plantation near Leshan.

Overnight: Ayard of Ch’an Hotel, Leshan 

Day 3. Leshan Giant Buddha-Ya'an Bifengxia. 140km 2h Meals: BLD
Waking up and leaving our hotel, we will venture on to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha in the morning before driving to Bifengxia in the afternoon.

Overnight: Local Hostel, Ya’an *Or similar

Day 4. Bifengxia Panda Base-Dujiangyan. 175km 2.5h Meals: BLD
From our accommodation, we are only a short drive from the naturalistic setting of the Bifengxia Panda Base. Once we have concluded our visit to the base, we will embark on a comfortable hike in the Bifengxia Gorge before departing to Dujiangyan.

Overnight: Dujiangyan Panda Hotel *Or similar

 
Day 5. 
Dujiangyan-Wolong Panda Base-Dujiangyan Panda Valley. 108km 2.5h Meals: BLD
From Dujiangyan, we will board our team’s transportation into the heartland of the panda’s natural habitat in Wolong. Driving pass jagged canyon rivers and forested mountain ranges, we will arrive at the Wolong Panda Base to visit the facility’s resident pandas. After concluding our stay in Wolong, we will return to Dujiangyan in the afternoon to visit the Panda Valley.

Overnight: Dujiangyan Panda Hotel *Or similar

Day 6. Dujiangyan Panda Volunteer Program-Dujiangyan Irrigation System-Chengdu. 90km 2.5h Meals: BLD
On our final day in Dujiangyan, our guides will bring you to the Dujiangyan Panda Base to participate in a slew of exciting activities in the Panda Volunteer Program. Once our participation in the volunteer program has concluded, we can venture onward to our final stop before returning to Chengdu, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Once we have left Dujiangyan, our transport will take us all to our hotel accommodation in Chengdu.

Overnight: Chengdu Minshan Anyi Hotel *Or similar

Day 7. Departure. Meals: B
Waking up in Chengdu, we will be able to continue our exploration of this city’s comfortable lifestyle and vibrant cultural aesthetic before our team escorts you to the international airport for your scheduled flight. This concluded the scheduled itinerary for this tour. 

Notes:
We can tailor-make a customized tour experience to suit your specific travel needs. You can optimize this itinerary from the following perspectives:
Family Cooking.
Bird-watching.
Culture Interpretation.
Flower and Plant Appreciation.


               

Dates & Prices



1. Dates

This trip is available all year round. 
AbsolutePanda can tailor-make this trip according to your time and interest.


2. Prices

The AbsolutePanda team works hard to provide the highest quality tour experiences at a fair price. However, after working in the travel industry for more than 20 years, our team knows that no two travelers are alike in terms of their travel style, personal interest, choice of guides and preferences in restaurants and hotels. For AbsolutePanda, our client’s satisfaction is a top priority. To meet the needs of different clients and ensure they enjoy a trip suited to their preferences, you are welcome to email with specific requests ranging from trip themes, guides, the quality of vehicles, accommodations, and restaurants. Our group trip price has the following includes and excludes below. These standard prices are made based on a minimum of two travelers. The group size is 2~10. 


The cost for a group of 2 to 10 people:
1640USD/PAX

Single supplement:
198USD/PAX

*Notes:
For guests arrive in Chengdu earlier or want to stay in Chengdu for more days, we take extra night charge listed above.


The cost includes:
1. A guide with fluent English from AbsolutePanda Tour Team;
2. A private car serving the full duration of this tour;
3. The entrance and shuttle tickets and panda volunteer charges listed in this itinerary;
4. Meals as listed in the itinerary;
5. Hotels listed in the itinerary or similar;
6. China domestic travel insurance.


The cost excludes:
1. Alcoholic drinks during the meal;
2. Extra charges due to change of itinerary from client-side or factors beyond the control of AbsolutePanda such as natural disaster and governmental policy change;
3. Discretionary tips to the guide and driver;
4. All personal expenses, such as laundry service or for personal shopping;
5. Train tickets or airfares in or out of Chengdu;
6. Any items not listed in the itinerary as included.

Notes:
For travelers who hope to tailor-make the day programs with their specific travel preferences in mind (transportation, hotels, special privileges, and famous local experts), tailor-making a tour is the best way to ensure your desires are met. Please contact us with your specific needs and we will make an itinerary based on your expectations. Once you confirm, we work out the cost and send it to you. Please feel free to ask any questions to learn more.

Please note that guides with specialized knowledge are not always available, especially during our peak tour season (April to October). If you are in the process of planning a trip, please contact us as early as possible so that we will block the date of our expert guide for you.

 When you put your trust in our team, we are certain to help you enjoy an unforgettable travel experience!

 

Accommodations



Introduction to the hotels on this tour:
AbsolutePanda offers various hotel choices for our tours. You can also e-mail us to tell your specific requirements for accommodations. Whatever your preferences are, our travel expert team will find the perfect one for you. 
 

Here are some default hotel choices for this tour:

Ayard of Ch’an Hotel, Leshan
AYARD OF CH'AN in Leshan is an ancient-style residence with gray roof tiles and carved wood structures. It is located in Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area with easy transport to the Buddha with a beautiful riverside view. The facilities are very well equipped and featured with delicate Chinese traditional elements.



Local Hostel, Ya’an
This local hostel we choose is right at the entrance of the Bifengxia Panda Base with fresh air and forest surrounded. We don’t need to hurry very early as we accommodate here because there is only a 1-minute walk to reach the gate of the Panda Base. Meals provided by this hostel are quite delicious also.



Dujiangyan Panda Hotel
A nice option for travelers who have deep love for pandas. The hotel is very near to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, and also not far from the Panda Valley and Panda Ark in Dujiangyan.





Chengdu Minshan Anyi Hotel (Ane Grand Hotel)
Located on Chunxi Road, the most famous & busiest street in Chengdu. Minshan Anyi Hotel is very convenient to reach from the airport, train station and city tourist destinations. The hotel offers many services and sufficient facilities as well as a Chinese restaurant serves a selection of Chinese dishes.




If you need help for hotel booking do feel free to contact us by info@absolutepanda.com.


FAQs



1. When is the best time of year shall I start this panda tour?
Any time of the year is suitable for visiting panda bases. We'd like to suggest Spring and Fall, as the temperature in Sichuan is much milder and pandas are more active.
 
2. What exactly do volunteers do in the volunteering program?

After check-in, document-reviewing, staff briefing and changing clothes, the volunteers for the day will be divided into several groups and each group will be led by a CCRCGP staff to the designated work site. There, volunteers will work under the guidance of a panda keeper to do the daily routine works for a panda including cleaning the panda enclosures, preparing bamboos and feeding the pandas. After the volunteering program, you will get a volunteer certificate. 
 
3. Are the pandas at the base wild?
The pandas at this facility are all living in specialty enclosures specifically designed to provide them with a natural environment in a captive setting.
 
4. Is there a minimum age limit for my children to do volunteering work?
The youngest age for panda volunteer in principle is 10. More questions about the age, do free to contact us.
 

Email us if you have any questions. Read our FAQ

 

Testimonials



Excellent Panda Hometown Family Trip!
We just came back from a 10-day-family trip in Chengdu organized by AbsolutePanda. It’s been an amazing experience and we’re super happy with the travel agency. We must say that AbsolutePanda met all our expectations! From the very beginning Melinda helped us to plan the trip answering all our questions right away, providing detailed information and suggesting activities and places of interest for both adults and kids until we had the final route. Claude, our guide during the whole trip, was extremely kind, patient and helpful. He speaks good English and he took care of us all the time paying attention to every detail and making our trip very pleasant and fun. His knowledge of birds and other fauna as well as of the history of the places we visited made our tour very interesting and enjoyable. I would definetively recommend AbsolutePanda to anyone thinking in a custom made "Panda Trip"!

--Juanmi Bauza
 

 
Welcome to email us and be our guests to write the feedback for us. Testimonial of AbsolutePanda

 

Videos & Photos




Come and watch pandas in Wolong!
 

Welcome to email us and share your trip video with us. Video Album of AbsolutePanda




A panda was eating bamboo in the Chengdu Panda Base.



Panda volunteers are working in the Dujiangyan Panda Ark.



The tea plantation is like a maze and very attractive to Children.



Panda cubs play on a hammock in Wolong.



The Leshan Giant Buddha.



Beautiful night scene in Chengdu.




Welcome to email us and share your trip photo and video with us. Photo Album of AbsolutePanda

 

TOP
TEL

+86 18030879853

WeChat

wechat