Where to Go in Chengdu: the 4 Best Zoos

1.Visiting Dujiangyan Yaan Wolong Panda Base Optional Volunteering

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · from $234Our pick

Spend a full day from Chengdu at Dujiangyan, Wolong, or Ya’an, helping prepare bamboo and panda food under staff guidance. Guides such as Kira, Alvin, Bella, Andy, and Alex Xia have led these visits. You cannot touch or hold pandas, but you can watch care work up close.

“Had an awesome volunteer experience with the Giant Pandas from breaking bamboos, creating Panda cakes, sweeping the cages, and ultimately feeding and engaging with the Pandas. Amazing experience that I highly recommend.”

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2.Wolong Panda Base Private Day Tour Optional Volunteering

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $220

Travel privately from Chengdu to Wolong Panda Base with an English-speaking guide, admission, lunch, and hotel transfers included. The standard visit explores the reserve, while the optional volunteer upgrade includes a uniform, panda-care tasks, bamboo preparation, and supervised feeding. Guides such as Heather and Diana add personal help and local insight.

“I had an amazing time with Heather as my guide. She is so knowledgeable and so easy to talk to. She told me about Chinese history and culture as well as a lot of facts about pandas! I went by myself and I felt so safe the whole time.”

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3.One Day Trip to Chengdu Panda Base and Leshan Buddha Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · from $93Best value

Start early at Chengdu Panda Base for feeding time, then ride about two hours to Leshan Giant Buddha. This private transport tour includes hotel pickup, parking, fuel, tolls, bottled water, and return transport. Drivers such as Wu Wei, Huang Lin, and Shi Jianhua have helped with tickets and site access, but English guiding is not guaranteed.

“Such a fantastic day! My driver was incredible and so willing to help in every way. He collected me from Tianfu airport at 6am and took me to the panda sanctuary, helped me get my tickets and showed me where to go. He then drove me to Leshan and the boat cruise was cancelled so he drove me 15 mins down the road to a different boat place so I could still experience the different viewpoint. I do recommend bringing snacks as there wasn't a stop for lunch. He then drove me back to chengdu to my hostel and showed me where to go. I couldn't fault the experience and…”

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4.Private Dujiangyan Panda Base Panda Rescue Center Volunteer for a Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $307

Spend a full day at Dujiangyan Panda Center with a private English-speaking guide such as Worley, Jenny, or Neil. Ride from Chengdu, help prepare food, clean panda areas, assist with feeding, enjoy lunch, and learn how the center supports conservation. Panda holding is no longer offered.

“Awesome and just the best thing ever. This is a once in a life time chance and I enjoyed every moment. It was educational as well as fun. The lovely lunch was a bonus.”

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