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Chengdu is the capital of southwestern China's Sichuan province. Chengdu's history dates back to at least the 4th century B.C., when it served as capital for the Shu Kingdom. The city is also home to the famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a conservation center where visitors can view endangered giant pandas in a natural habitat.
Cultural ActivityWe will participate in a handicraft making lesson in a local Tea House. Options may include paper making and sugar painting.
Walking TourExplore the incredible maze of Chengdu Kuanzhai Xiangzi alleys. Literally translated into "broad and narrow alleys", Kuaizhai Alleyways is a lively, historical section of Chengdu that is lined with stalls of knickknacks and hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
Dinner in local restaurantEnjoy a special Sichuan Welcome Dinner with your group.
Ya'an lies in the center of the Sichuan Province and is located just below the Tibetan Plateau. The first giant panda was found in the Baoxing County of Ya'an.
Service ActivityToday will be spent volunteering at the Ya'an School for Special Education. The day will start with an orientation session lead by the schools teachers, followed by the start of your work.
Dinner in local restaurantEnjoy an evening meal with your group.
We will continue with our work at the Ya'an School for Special Education.
Orientation SessionThis evening, we will have an orientation session regarding our volunteer work at the Panda Base.
Dinner in local restaurantEnjoy an evening meal with your group.
The Ya'an Bifengxia Giant Panda Base of China Conservation and Research Center focuses on the reproduction of the Giant Panda as well as wild animal rescue and education. Bifengxia has become a popular destination for visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of these famous animals, since the May 2008 earthquake displaced all of the Giant Pandas in the Wolong nature reserve. We'll spend the day with a ranger to gain a better understanding of daily life at Bifengxia for this endangered species. With the guidance of the panda breeding center staff, we will help clean cages, prepare food, and monitor the pandas. Depending on scheduling and availability, we will visit the rescue center, rarely seen by outsiders other than doctors and researchers. Here, local scientists rescue and rehabilitate injured Golden Monkeys, Red Pandas and Giant Pandas.
Outdoor ActivityWe will take a leisurely one to three-hour hike on paved paths through beautiful Bifengxia Gorge. The gorge is complete with flowing waterfalls and bamboo groves, and provides a gorgeous backdrop to our hike. We'll also pass the area where a westerner first spotted a panda in the 19th century.
Travel to EmeishanLocated southwest of the Sichuan Province, Emeishan City is home to the famous Emei Mountain. The Mountain is renowned for its rank as the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dinner in local restaurantEnjoy an evening meal with your group.
This morning will be spent hiking along the mountains of Emeishan where we will have the ability to enjoy the temples and stunning scenery. Emei Shan is one of China's four sacred Buddhist Mountains. We will ascend the mountain via cable car, or for those who are interested, we can hike. The hike lasts between 5 and 6 hours, and is moderately challenging. Atop the mountain, we will see the many temples and monasteries situated on the slopes, as well as the haunting and beautiful scenery of gnarled trees and mist-shrouded peaks. If we're lucky, we'll see the rare but gorgeous sunrise in the morning, rising above mountain peaks.
Travel to ChengduThis afternoon we will return to Chengdu in preparation for our departure tomorrow.
Dinner in local restaurantWe will enjoy a special Hotpot Dinner. Over dinner, we can hear stories about Chengdu history and customs.
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