Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the panda base located?

The accommodation is in walking distance from the Panda conservation project. This is 16 km from the nearest city (Ya’an) and 150 km from Chengdu. Every half-hour there are buses from Ya’an to Chengdu. To get to the Ya’an, the closest city, you can take a taxi. This takes about 30 minutes.

Are there any shops nearby?

There are some small grocery stores in and around the Panda conservation project and there is a small bar, relax room opposite the hotel where most volunteers hand out. Volunteers can come here to socialize, have a drink, read a book or even watch TV. However the bar is closed from December to February.

How can I get cash out?

There is no ATM at the Panda conservation project. But there are many banks and several ATM machines in Ya'an city  and Chengdu city. Travellers cheques are becoming obsolete all over the world and they are very hard to get changed in China. Bring some local currency or just use debit/credit cards to withdraw money. The vast majority of time you cannot use a credit card to pay for transactions on the spot.
 
What if I want to use facebook, or call my mum?

Internet & phones – There is free internet in the Panda conservation project Office during the working hours (8:30am - 4:30pm). There are also many internet cafes in Ya’an city (2 yuan per hour). You can use your own phone to ring home or use Skype. tI would be a good idea if you are staying in China a long time (4+) to buy a local phone/sim. This way your mum can call you and it will not cost you anything. And also you can easily stay in touch with the other volunteers.

What is the weather like, and what kind of clothes should I pack?

During the Winter months it can be very cold. Electric blankets are supplied to all beds. These can be useful for drying the sheets (damp) in the Summer when it gets very humid and wet. The mountain weather is very changeable.

Bring comfortable clothes. Waterproof shoes and a rain jacket come in handy and a fleece for colder weather. It is advisable for participants to check the weather forecast before they leave. (It tends to be a few degrees colder and a little wetter in the mountains than in Chengdu city).

It is a good idea to bring along some books and a small torch as power-cuts are quite common in China.


Are there hospitals?

Health information: There is a clinic at the Panda conservation project and several good hospitals in Ya’an and Chengdu city.