Spend some time in the presence of the beautiful giant panda on a tailor-made holiday in China. With these magnificent animals still on the list of endangered species, visiting them is a memorable and enchanting experience.
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China, Russia & Central Asia
Panda enjoying bamboo.
After the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008, the living conditions for the pandas in Wolong Natural Preserve were damaged so badly that the pandas were relocated, mostly to Bifengxia Giant Panda Base just outside Ya'an city, Sichuan.
Ya'an is located 145km from Chengdu and with its beautiful surroundings of forest and waterfalls makes a great day trip from the city. There are more than 300 giant pandas living in the forest around the base. Bifengxia giant panda base covers an area of 72 hectares. It was first built in 2003 as a wild animal park, but later changed gradually to a panda base due to its perfect habitat.
Bifengxia Panda Base is without doubt the best place to see pandas in the natural scenery they inhabit. There are dedicated grazing grounds, "kindergartens" for young pandas and even a panda hospital and research institute. Several different varieties of bamboo have been planted in the base either by the water or on the slopes. The idea is that the pandas will eventually be returned to nature after they have been raised to look after themselves in the wild.
Bifengxia operates a volunteering programme for anybody looking to get a bit more up close and personal with the pandas. There are various programmes of different durations possible, but for anyone with a real desire to learn more about these magnificent animals, this is ideal. Volunteers help the scientists to collect behavioural data, as well as preparing food for the pandas.
But don’t forget that you may well also be spending some time getting your hands dirty – most volunteers are asked to help clean out the pandas’ enclosures and gardens!