China Giant Panda Conservation

Programme Orientation

Your Orientation will take place on the Sunday morning after your arrival. The orientation will cover all the main aspects of your experience including what you can expect at the panda centre and what you can do in your spare time either at the panda centre or back in Xi’an. The coordinators will also give you all the necessary information and is the perfect opportunity to ask any of those last minute burning questions.

Accommodation and Meals

For your first 2 nights in Xi’an you will be staying in a volunteer apartment or local guesthouse. You will then be transferred to your accommodation at the panda centre.

While you are at the project you will be staying on site at the panda centre, which means that you will not have far to go each day. The bedrooms at the volunteer accommodation are mainly based on a twin share, although there is one triple share room. There are also two shared bathrooms with western toilets. You will also have the use of the other great facilities in the house that include; a free washing machine, TV, DVD player, a computer with internet access, telephone, fridge, oven and even a toaster.

You will be provided with 3 meals per day during your stay, these will be taken in the local restaurant close to your accommodation. Please let us know before you depart if you have any special dietary requirements.

Free Time

The weekends are a great opportunity for you to experience what the local area has to offer. You can travel back to Xi’an to visit the amazing Terracotta Army Museum, Tang Theme Park and Goose Pagodas to name but a few. Alternatively you can stay at the centre and visit the beautiful lakes and waterfalls nearby.

Project Support
Throughout your stay in China you will have the support and guidance of our programme coordinators. They will provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions or advice you may need during your stay. In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.

Project Age Limit

Minimum 17 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health. Please be prepared that you may be working with volunteers of all ages.

Programme Requirements

Please note: You will require a doctor’s note for you to participate in this project. You'll be spending lots of time in close proximity to these rare creatures so we need to ensure that you don't have any communicable diseases that you might pass on to them. Please send us a note from your doctor stating that you are fit and healthy to work with these beautiful animals. You will also need to take the original letter with you to the project.