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About i-to-i What i-to-i trips and TEFL are, how and why we do what we do!
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This is a unique chance to get up-close and personal to the precious Giant Panda in the remote Chinese wilderness. Life is rarely black and white… unless you're a Giant Panda on the brink of extinction. With an already low world population in decline there are certainly no grey areas in this conservation project, so do your bit and ‘panda’ to their every need! Based in majestic surroundings at the foot of the Qingling mountains, you'll also have the chance to work with other species indigenous to China such as the Golden Monkey, red panda and the sheep-like Takin.
Today you’ll fly into Xi’an airport and be collected by our local i-to-i team who will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding our logo!
You’ll be transferred to our volunteer house in Xi’an centre, and it will take up to one hour to get there. This will be your home for the next three nights whilst you receive your orientation and you are in a great location to explore the city and see the sights of Xi’an!
Tonight though, you’ll most likely need a good night’s sleep, so this is your chance to relax!
Today is a free day for exploring Xi’an and getting to know your new surroundings. Xi’an is a great city to explore with so much to see and do. Just try not to spend your entire budget on your very first weekend here…
The following weeks will be spent settling in at the project and helping out wherever you are needed- be prepared to get your clothes dirty at this project! You’ll spend time learning basic Mandarin, eating delicious local food at a nearby restaurant and falling into bed each night. This project is perfect for volunteers who are looking to live and work within a beautiful centre focused on the well-being of endangered species.
On your last day of the project, you’ll make the journey back to Xi’an airport which takes around 2 hours. This is not covered in your project fee, so will be at your own cost, but our team are on hand to help you make any arrangements and to offer advice.
The transfer back by taxi to the airport costs approximately US$50 so please budget for this. There is a local bus that you can catch, which is cheaper. You can ask staff at the project about this when you get there if this option takes your fancy!
At this project you will be working in a Chinese conservation centre that aims to preserve some of the world's most endangered species. These include: Giant Pandas, Golden Monkeys, the Crested Ibis, the Takin; which is a large sheep-like creature that lives only in China and Bhutan, as well as the Sika, which is similar in appearance to a deer. The Golden Monkeys and the crested Ibis are both indigenous to China.
This project aims to help look after, research and protect wild animals. It depends on any one time as to exactly what animals are at the centre but it usually includes Pandas, exotic birds, monkeys, Takin and bears. You can rotate between working with the pandas and other animals by feeding them and cleaning out their enclosures.
The centre is well known within Shaanxi province for its pandas and these are definitely the project’s main attraction. Lougantai town is the centre of Daoism and there is much to see in the area with temples near to the panda project. The Government has also been investing a lot of money in this area to attract more tourism.
The world's total population of wild Giant Pandas stands at about 1,000, which are mainly distributed in Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces of China. In Shaanxi, there are about 270 giant pandas living in the Panda Reservations.
You will be working in a very remote location, which is about 1.5 to 2 hours away from Xi'an city centre. The area is very rural so whilst you won’t be living amongst nightlife, restaurants and shops, you will be living amongst stunning scenery and within a serene, laid back lifestyle! Make the most of the peace and quiet and you can always head to the city at the weekend if you’re missing anything!
It is important to note that this project does not involve any hands on work with the pandas. You actually wouldn’t want to cuddle these pandas – they would probably tear a few of your limbs off because they are not being raised to tolerate human contact. You will be getting involved in feeding the pandas and cleaning their cages, you will also be in extremely close proximity to them, just with a sturdy cage separating you at all times from the pandas.
The world's total population of wild Giant Pandas stands at about 1,000, which are mainly distributed in Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces of China. In Shaanxi, there are about 270 giant pandas living in Panda Reservations. At the centre where you will be working they are currently looking after and monitoring fifteen giant pandas.
You can also help the staff with their English, which is important so that they can attract more tourists and generate an increase in revenue at the centre, this can then pay for research and looking after the pandas. The project staff also want to improve and practice their English, so that they can attend international conferences about animal conservation.
There's a wide range of activities which you'll be able to choose from to ensure you get the most from your trip! Daily duties have been developed by previous volunteers working together with the staff at the centre and the in country coordinator to maximize your experience and learning opportunities. You will be able to specify which animals in particular you want to work with. Please note that the Pandas are kept in enclosures in the park with access to greenery, however the park is not a safari park.
Your help would be appreciated for 2-4 hours each day; the park is open between 8am and 6pm daily so you can work with the team when you arrive to devise a timetable and work plan. Your typical schedule is between Monday-Friday and the weekends are yours to spend as you please!
Having read through lots of volunteer feedback, we recommend you bringing the following items with you to the project:
A fairly decent camera – you cannot take photos inside with a flash, so it is worth having a camera that can support good photos without a flash.
Please note that while you are welcome to take as many photos as you like for personal use, you will be asked to sign an agreement with the project not to use any photos or videos taken for commercial purposes, such as media.
The project will aim to provide any materials or equipment such as boots, gloves and overcoats. However, shoe sizes differ so you may prefer to bring your own wellington boots and gloves! Wellington boots are essential for when it's raining. Please note that it can get cold during the winter months, especially between December to January so you may like to bring some thicker jumpers with you!
Take old clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, comfy hiking shoes are essential. Bring a hat in the summer as the sun is extremely strong and hot!
*IMPORTANT NOTE* In order to protect the Pandas from any infections, the project has requested that you provide a medical note from your doctor when you arrive, confirming that you are fit and well and are not carrying any infectious diseases. Please send this into our office a month prior to your arrival and take it with you to the project. Please also note that as the pandas are ultimately released into the wild then human contact is kept to a minimum and you will not be able to hold them.
It may seem like a strange concept to pay for your volunteer experience. You'd be right if you think you shouldn't and the truth is you actually don't! Your placement is free; it's the benefits around it that you pay for. It's important to note that i-to-i is a travel company and not a charity. We provide a professional travel service. We are responsible for finding and assessing worthwhile projects across the world, preparing you fora the volunteering experience and supporting you whilst you're there.
Here’s some more information about what your placement fee covers….
We work with hundreds of locally run partner projects around the world and are constantly sourcing new opportunities. We visit all projects to check that they are worthwhile and legitimate and we also conduct a thorough safety assessment before we'll send volunteers there. More
Almost everyone who works for i-to-i has traveled extensively or worked overseas. This means we're a goldmine of information; we're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.
Once you book on to a project you'll receive a Welcome Pack that contains loads of general information about volunteering, about your chosen country and how to have fun and stay safe. We'll also give you advice on visas and inoculations.
It can be pretty daunting arriving in a different country for the first time - especially after a long flight! If you arrive on your project start date, there'll be a welcoming face at the airport to pick you up and take you to your accommodation.
Soon after you arrive you will attend a thorough orientation with our in-country team. This is to cover important safety and security information. You'll also get some tips about sight-seeing options for your time off and maybe even learn some of the local lingo!
Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are even included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard. More
Your in-country team will arrange a pick-up for you at the airport and will conduct your orientation upon arrival. All coordination teams are English speaking and are locals of your destination country. They won't be at your project every day, but will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need them. More
Aside from the local support from your in-country team you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line manned by our response team in case any problem should arise while you're overseas. We also hire crisis management professionals to be on hand in case of a situation that requires additional expert support. More
The safety and security of our volunteers is paramount. For this reason we provide ongoing crisis management and emergency response training to our local teams around the world. We also fly in our in-country coordinators to the UK regularly for thorough training to help them offer the best safety to the thousands of volunteers they support each year. More
We don't fund our projects directly from the project fee that you pay us. Instead we choose to support a number of projects every year through a grant scheme for tangible long-term initiatives. In the last 3 years we have distributed over US$250,000 to our most needy projects to help them in the great work they do.
We make no secrets of the fact that part of your placement fee is reinvested in to recruiting volunteers just like you! The volunteers recruited in one week will typically deliver over 2000 man-days of service. The difference this makes to projects overseas is immeasurable. Many of our overseas projects rely on assistance from international volunteers, so it's necessary for us to put together brochures and websites to find the people who can support them. This recruitment process is vital to ensure programs have a constant stream of reliable volunteers.
Volunteering through a company like i-to-i has a lot of intangible benefits to developing overseas communities and the individual projects that we work with. To find out more about our placements. click here
Once you have arrived at your destination, you will have time to settle in at your accommodation and meet other volunteers (please see accommodation details below). You will have an informal orientation meeting with the in-country team during your first weekend in China, before starting work at your project early in your first week, usually on Monday. You will spend your weekend at the volunteer apartment before trvelling to your project and settling in at the accommodation at the project.
Volunteer apartment;
Room 6-1-201,
Rong Qiao Xin Yuan,
No. 2 Dian Zi Xi Jie,
Xian City,
Shaanxi Province
Telephone + 86-(0) 29-888 33358
It's important that you get adequate travel insurance for your i-to-i experience and as many of you will be working this often means standard policies won’t work. The good news is that no matter where your coming from we have already found a policy to suit you.
The best time to get your insurance is when you book your project as this means you can get a fully tailored policy exclusive to i-to-i, just ask your consultant for further details at the time of booking.
EU Customers – find out more here >>
Australian customers - find out more here >>
All other customers - find out more here >>
As with insurance we advise you get these booked as early as possible to avoid high prices and to make sure you arrive on the right day. The i-to-i team is right up to date with the best deals no matter where you’re flying from; their insider knowledge could save you some time and money.
If you are arriving before your designated arrival date, we can arrange for an extra meet and greet service for you. For an extra supplement we will be there to meet you at the airport and take you to your orientation accommodation. One additional night a
The cost of this Early Pick-up service is US$ 41.00
You will be staying in on-site accommodation at the park on a shared room basis, one of the rooms has a rare chance to see a panda in their enclosure from the window! This is basic accommodation and meals will be taken at a local restaurant.
Please note that your first three nights’ accommodation will be in Xi`an, either at the volunteer apartment or at a local guesthouse, before transferring to your main accommodation for the project.
The best thing about this accommodation is that you are living on site at the Panda centre and so you won`t have far to walk to get to work!
The accommodation is in a large building consisting of a shared living space with a TV, DVD player, sofa, bookshelves and a computer with an internet connection (although in this remote area the connection cannot always be guaranteed). A locked cupboard is also available for those who wish to keep their valuables safe.
Your bedrooms are shared on a twin bed based on two people sharing, with single beds, hanging space, desk and chair. Bedding is provided but you will need to bring your own towel. Previous visitors have commented that bringing your own basic mosquito net is a good idea as the pesky mosquitoes visit year round and can be quite persistent.
There is a bathroom with two shower facilities, both with hot running water and a western style toilet – hurrah! There are also laundry facilities on site, so there’s no need to pack weeks and week’s worth of clothes!
All your meals are taken at a local restaurant which serves delicious Chinese food; you’ll fall in love with Mr. Deng who always has a smile on his face and serves the most amazing sticky chips!
You are living in an extremely rural area and crime levels are low in the community. It’s a great place to stay and a rare opportunity to live and work within this wildlife centre.
Bedding is provided so you do not need to bring anything with you, but you should bring your own towel as this is not provided. Previous volunteers have recommended bringing a mosquito net in the summer months if you would prefer to sleep under a net; otherwise, you can bring bug spray.
As you will be living in a very rural area, please do make sure that you bring enough to keep yourself occupied in the evenings. Previous visitors have recommended bringing enough books, playing cards or games for the evening!
Your commute will be different to that back home we’re sure! You’ll stumble out of bed, have a delicious local breakfast and head along to the enclosures to work out the day’s activities!
Your stay is in a rural area and you will need to head back to Xi’an to go to the bank, buy your souvenirs and generally experience nightlife! The peace and quiet of this location make this an amazing experience that you’ll find hard to leave!
A stone’s throw! On site accommodation so feel free to blow the pandas a kiss goodnight!
Colossal in size and from an historical perspective, China is believed to embody 5,000 years worth of heritage beginning with the Xia dynasty. For centuries it was the world’s leading civilisation and a series of dynasties shaped the country, notably the Tang dynasty which came to the fore at a time that is widely considered to be China’s Golden Age. It was during this period (618-907) that the arts flourished, Buddhism became the main religion and trade prospered. Dynasties like the Song, Yuan and Ming followed, each laying their imprints and evolving the country.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in the early 16th century but it wasn’t until the 18th century that the trade routes were fully exploited by European interests which inevitably led to tensions. The Opium Wars, a dispute over opium trade between China and Britain, raged during the mid-19th century culminating in the signing of treaties which led to China conceding, though later reclaimed, Hong Kong to Britain. China’s land mass and colonial power was further diminished when other countries followed suit and forced treaties to increase trade with China; European colonists took over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, while Japan occupied Korea and Taiwan.
By 1911, imperial rule was brought to a grinding halt when the Qing dynasty was ousted from power and the country was declared a republic. The period was littered with disruption and a lack of political presence with warlords ruling their respective territories. By the 1920s, dominant political forces emerged in the form of the Kuomintang (KMT or Nationalist Party) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). After a brief union to ward off Japanese threats, the KMT and CCP’s stiff opposition escalated into civil war from 1945 to 1949. Under Mao Zedong, the CCP were the victors and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was declared in 1949, while the central government of the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan.
In the early days of the communist regime, successful economic and land reforms were carried out to resurrect the country’s economy with a focus on industrial production. Attention was turned to agricultural output and bringing the economy up a gear with the implementation of agricultural communes with plans to abolish money and private property. Rural workers were also encouraged to increase steel production from backyard furnaces which proved futile in strengthening the economy. This in addition to droughts and floods hampered production, while Soviet aid to China ceased in 1960, rendering the effort a large scale catastrophe resulting in widespread famine. The Cultural Revolution (1966-1970) sought to re-establish Chairman Mao’s weakened position within the Communist Party and ward off opponents. A militia group, the Red Army, was installed and Mao’s little red book of quotations became the main ideological framework. The Revolution amounted to upheaval on a large scale and administered the persecution of intellectuals and artists, enforced strict codes of conduct and millions of people were killed or imprisoned.
Post-revolution, the focus was on modernising the economy and an ‘open door policy’ which helped to lay the foundations for China’s current economic boom. Political change and freedom has not been so forthcoming; the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 underpinned the government’s stance on dissent and appeals for democracy. State control and bureaucracy remains deeply ingrained and there are disparities between the booming urban areas and the rural economies. Nevertheless, China has reinvented itself over the past few decades and has a firm footing on the world stage with membership to the World Trade Organisation and is host to the 2008 Olympic Games.
While a Siberian chill lingers in the northeast and sub-tropical notes hit the southwest, China’s climate is as diverse as its landscape. As a general guide, spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) are the most weather-friendly seasons to visit. The north, including Beijing, experiences harshly cold winters from December to March, while the summer months hot up to temperatures exceeding 30ËšC. In the central region, including Shanghai and around the Yangzi River, there is a higher percentage of rainfall year round with extreme temperatures during winter and summer. The south is hot and humid with November to February bringing welcome relief with a drop in temperature. Hong Kong is mild from mid-September to the end of February, with May to mid-September making air-conditioning feel like the greatest gift on earth.
As much as weather can affect the enjoyment factor for some, peak times may also be a consideration depending on your tolerance for high levels of tourist congestion at the visitor hotspots and on public transport. The busiest time to visit is during Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), the actual date depends on the lunar cycle but usually takes place around February, with the celebrations lasting a couple of weeks before and after the given day. The week long Labour Day holiday, which runs from May 1, and the National Day Holiday, from October 1 (each lasts a couple of days or less in Hong Kong and Macau), sees a large influx of domestic visitors to the main attractions so it’s best to visit the well-known sights before these holidays kick off.
The China Yuàn Renminbi is China’s unit of currency. The current exchange rate is: $1 to Y7.87200. Check www.xe.com or equivalent for the most up to date exchange rate.
The average costs of life’s little essentials are as follows:
In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Dollar is the unit of currency. The current exchange rate is: $1 to HK$7.77841. Check www.xe.com or equivalent for the most up to date exchange rate.
The average costs of life’s little essentials are as follows:
It takes a huge dose of patience, stamina and a love of long distances to rely solely on ground transportation to cover China’s monumental distances, if planning to explore the country to the hilt that is. To get an idea of the distances involved, flights from Beijing to Shanghai are around 2 hours, Xi’an from Beijing or Shanghai is also 2 hours, while Beijing to Hong Kong is over 3 and a half hours. In accordance with its economic good fortune, China is equipped with relatively new or renovated airports together with an extensive airline network that serves the mainland as well as Hong Kong and Macau. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) oversees the country’s main domestic airlines which include Air China, China Eastern and China Southern. It’s best to book domestic flights after you arrive as it can often work out cheaper buying from an agent in China; booking a few days in advance is advisable to get the best price. Discounted rates are also available in-country on select flights.
Train travel is the next best thing. It’s a relatively speedy and safe way to get to the main cities and overnight services are common given the distances involved. Comfort levels depend on which class you choose, for long, overnight journeys, the soft sleeper option is the best. It features four bunks in compartments that are sealed off with a door for privacy, a shared western-style toilet and other mod-cons. Hard sleepers cost considerably less but usually hold 6 bunks, lack the privacy of a closed door compartment and are separated by partitions; a squat toilet is situated at the each end of the carriage which becomes vomit inducing as the journey progresses. For shorter distances, the cheapest way to travel is to opt for the hard seat class. It gets very crowded and the soft seat option is much more pleasant and is available on express trains.
Sleeper buses aren’t as comfortable as their train counterparts but there is a good network of long distance bus services available, mainly along the east coast and between the major cities, that aren’t necessarily back-crunching and leg-numbing experiences. Buses also venture out to remote villages and towns that are inaccessible by train. Bus services in rural areas, however, can seem primitive in comparison and the roads aren’t nearly as smooth as in more developed areas.
Getting around by car is not a feasible option if you want to explore the country at your heart’s desire. Foreign visitors are restricted to driving rented vehicles within Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong only. It’s possible to rent a car with a driver but this works out expensive for long stays.
China is the place for cycle enthusiasts. It boasts more bicycles than any other country and rental is widely available. Buying a bike is also worthwhile if you plan to spend a length of time in the country and it’s possible to re-sell it and recoup part of the cost before you leave. There are designated parking spots for bikes in most towns and cities. Long-distance buses don’t usually charge to carry bikes, unlike trains and airlines.
There’s no shortage of taxis, motorcycle taxis and pedicabs on the city roads. In most cases, it helps to have a map to hand or your destination written in Chinese characters if you don’t speak the language. In addition, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Guangzhou boast underground rail systems that are an efficient and cheap way of getting around. Beijing’s subway system is being developed further in time for the Olympics and currently has 4 lines that cover the main parts of the city with signs in English. The city also has a convenient bus network but negotiating the extensive routes can be hard work for non-Chinese speakers. Rickshaws are also available but tend to cost more than using a taxi.
Shanghai’s metro system comprises a subway and elevated light railway. It’s easy to use, (with signs in English) cheap and a speedy way to travel across the city, especially during rush hour when the roads are rammed. Like Beijing, bus travel during rush hour is best avoided, particularly between 7.30am and 10am and 5pm and 7pm. Taxis are readily available and the companies operating them are identifiable by colours; turquoise and orange taxis are considered to be among the most reliable and are run by the respective companies Dazhong and Qiangsheng. Unlike other parts of China, Shanghai isn’t as accommodating to bike riders as it once was. In line with the city’s mass development of recent years, motorised vehicles now clog up the roads.
Hong Kong is a breeze to get around thanks to a highly efficient transport system and widely used English language signs and street names. There’s an extensive bus network which includes double-deckers and minibuses; the buses are far-reaching and travel to parts of Kowloon, the New Territories and south of Hong Kong Island where other modes don’t venture. Outside of the populous areas, it is common practice to flag down buses rather than relying on them to stop at designated points. A good way to take in the scenes is to travel on Hong Kong’s major tram line that runs east to west along the northern part of Hong Kong Island. For a quicker way to get around, the underground railway network (in Hong Kong the term subway is used for underground walkways not railways) services the main hot spots and also boasts an express line that links the airport (situated on Lantau Island) to Hong Kong Island. There are also regular train services that work the commuter routes, while the Kowloon-Canton Railway links Kowloon to mainland China. The Light Rail Transit (LRT), meanwhile, connects routes in the western part of the New Territories.
Criss-crossing Victoria Harbour, ferries are a popular and cheap way of travelling between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. There are several ferry companies but the Star Ferry Company is perhaps the best known. The trip is a snip at 7 minutes total duration and ferries depart every 5 to 10 minutes depending on the time of day. There are also a number of ferry services to the outlaying islands, which can get crowded during weekends. If spending a few days in Hong Kong, it’s probably cheaper to purchase an Octopus card which allows unlimited travel for a set price on trains, trams, subways, as well as on most buses and ferries; buses and ferries require exact fares so it also avoids the need to carry around oodles of change.
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We work in partnership with hundreds of established projects that are run by local communities. The information on our website comes directly from the projects and we work with them to ensure this information is as accurate as possible. However, due to the very nature of the projects themselves the exact details of what happens on a daily basis can change with little or no notice. If you have travelled with us and have any updates to this information, please let us know.
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