2 Days Dujiangyan and Panda Keeper Tour from Chengdu

Today, your local professional guide and experienced driver will pick you up from your hotel in downtown Chengdu at the appointed time. We will set out for a visit to the Jinsha Site Museum, built on China's best-preserved sacrificial site during the Shang and Zhou dynasties (17th century BC - 256 BC). When the visit is over, our guide and driver will transfer you for around 1.5 hours to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Built in the Warring States Period (475 - 221BC), it is a great water conservancy project featured by no-dam irrigation system. Now, it still plays an important role in releasing the flood and irrigating the farmland. Why is this project sited here? Why is it regarded as a great miracle? Your guide will give you a detailed explanation combining the terrain and physical objects on spot. In addition, you will also pay a visit to the Erwang Temple here, which is constructed to commemorate the builders - Li Bing and his son, Erlang.

After finishing the visit, you will be transferred to the ancient city area of Dujiangyan, also called Guanxian ancient city. This place was originally called Guanxian, but it was changed to Dujiangyan in 1988 due to the popularity of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and only this ancient city area inherited the name "Guanxian" and also inherited the original life of the locals. Upon arrival, you will check into the well-selected Panda Hotel, which is a courtyard-style hotel with panda culture as the theme. Panda elements are everywhere here, including a big panda mascot at the door, panda robots, panda pillows, panda paintings and etc, which will bring you a happy mood at every moment. In addition to the pandas, another great redeeming feature of this hotel is its leisure atmosphere of "quietness in the midst of the hustle and bustle", with a quiet courtyard and many towering ancient trees. Therefore, it is not only a nice place to take lovely photos, but a comfortable place to relax yourself. Enjoy your time in this hotel.

After a rest in the hotel, we will come out to explore this ancient city, which is one of the birthplaces of ancient Shu Kingdom (221-263), with a history of 2,000 years. Surrounded by clear water and green mountains, it still preserves a very primitive style. The whole afternoon will be devoted to walking through the old alleys, appreciating the splendid architecture and ancient city wall, interacting with local villagers, experiencing their lives, as well as tasting authentic local dishes. The last one is one of the most sought-after things by both locals and tourists. Noodles, rice noodles, wontons, dumplings, hot pot, desserts, and all other kinds of Sichuan cuisines are available for you to taste here. Sichuan food is famous for its spicy flavor, are you ready to challenge your taste buds?

The night views of the ancient city also cannot be missed. So make full use of your time to see, and to enjoy.

Accommodation: Panda Hotel

After breakfast today, you will check out of the hotel. Your guide and driver will take you to the Dujiangyan panda park, which is 30 minutes' drive away, to participate in the Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Program. Surrounded by green mountains and clear rivers, it provides a comfortable and quiet environment for pandas to live in freedom. In an area of 150 hectares (371 acres), there are 59 houses for about 60 - 80 giant pandas. Upon arrival, you will take part in the giant panda volunteer program under the help of your guide. What is the panda's house like? Does panda poop smell bad? What and how much do the pandas eat every day? How is their food prepared? Today's volunteer activities will answer all your questions.

► Brief Schedule for Reference
08:30 - 09:00: Complete the Registration Procedures
09:00 - 10:00: Clean the Panda House
10:00 - 11:00: Visit Panda Base Escorted by an Expert Panda Guide
11:00 - 11:30: Watch the Keeper to Feed a Panda
11:30 - 13:00: Have a Chinese Lunch in the Base’s Canteen
13:00 - 14:00: Watch a Documentary about Giant Pandas
14:00 - 15:00: Make the Panda Cake
15:00 - 15:30: Collect Certificates and Souvenirs

After the program, we will drive for around 15 minutes to the Chengdu Museum of Shadow Art. Shadow art is an intangible cultural heritage, integrating painting, sculpture, literature, music and stage performance. It has high historical, cultural and artistic value and is known as the "living fossil" of Chinese folk art. Curious about how they're made and how to manipulate the shadow puppet to run, stand, sit, lie down, roll, climb and fight with only three bamboo poles? After learning to make one and perform by yourself, you will understand everything. In addition, you will appreciate nearly 300,000 pieces of fine shadow puppets here and learn about the interesting stories of some typical characters. Afterwards, you will be driven back to your hotel in Chengdu.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch