Volunteering in China with Projects Abroad

Next Step: Click here to choose a project in China

Volunteering abroad in China is a unique way to experience life in the world’s most populous country. Our wide range of voluntary projects in China are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world; whether you are on a gap year, a summer placement, or a career break.

Projects Abroad offers a taste of this contradictory, flourishing culture with Business, Care, Journalism, Law, Medicine, Sports, Animal care and Teaching projects based in the cities of Chengdu and Shanghai. You could also take a Mandarin Language course.

Where we are Based in China

Many of our volunteer placements are based in the charming city of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. Home of the panda and gateway to the stunning natural beauty of western China, Chengdu offers the chance to experience the more traditional side of China whilst still living in a fast-paced city of over 14 million people.

Chengdu has been voted one of the top three cities in which to live in China. It is a place where top international businesses share the streets with tea houses and spicy hotpot restaurants.

Volunteers also work on a range of placements in Shanghai - one of the world's largest cities. You will gain first-hand experience here of how quickly China is changing and adapting to Western influences. Sample local dishes and Shanghainese entertainment, or dance at the hippest new club; the choice is yours.

In both Chengdu and Shanghai, volunteers live in shared apartments, which gives you great freedom to experience the Chinese lifestyle.

General Information on China

Modern China is certainly now embracing capitalist modernity, but beneath the glitzy high-rises China retains its strong traditions, cultures and values that have been honed and developed over several millennia. As a volunteer in China you will be well-placed to understand both the modern and traditional aspects of this fascinating country.

Travel and Tourism in China

There are many attractions to experience and travel to on your days off. For volunteers in Chengdu, one of the area’s famous panda sanctuaries is usually high on the list. The Taoist Mountain of Qingcheng and the Leshan Giant Buddha are also popular weekend destinations. If you’re looking to travel at the end of your placement keep in mind that Chengdu is the main access city for trips to Tibet.

In Shanghai a visit to the Yu Yuan gardens is essential. Take a boat trip on the Huang Pu River and visit the Bund - Shanghai's famous colonial-style waterfront that has been a landmark for centuries. The lakeshore of Hangzhou, the gardens of Suzhou or the beaches of Putuoshan all offer a break from the city buzz.

Unsurprisingly, given its size and history, China has natural wonders and World Heritage sites in abundance. The Great Wall, the Yangtze River and the Terra-Cotta Army are all worth a visit once your volunteer work is over. But don't overlook the many other palaces, scenic passes, ancient cities, monuments, temples and carvings that have been given global recognition for their beauty and importance.

Take time to go off the beaten track; trek the silk route or visit a Buddhist monastery. The Chinese countryside will show you how vastly different rural life is compared with the world that is emerging from the urban streets. Possibilities and opportunities for travel in China are as wide ranging as the country itself.