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Two pairs of giant pandas enjoy a fruit festival together at Chongqing Zoo in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality on October 3, 2024, during the national holidays. Photo: VCG
Editor’s note:
As one of China’s most beloved national treasures, the giant panda has long captured the hearts of people around the world. But beyond its iconic status, the panda’s story is one of ecological revival, cultural pride and international cooperation.
In this special series, ‘Walking with the Giant Panda’, we take you on an insightful journey through the furry animal’s life, from the lush bamboo forests to the world stage and ultimately to the ambitious goal of rewilding.
In the first chapter of this exploration, we delve into the stories behind the internet-famous pandas that have drawn crowds of fans to panda sanctuaries. These cute icons not only boost tourism and employment, but also inspire a new wave of national pride and ecological awareness.
Children can choose from a range of panda-themed souvenirs outside Giant Panda Breeding’s Chengdu Research Base. Photo: Shan Jie/GT
Professional telephoto cameras are all pointed in the same direction as hundreds of spectators, phones in hand, hold their breath.
‘They’re here! There!’ a scream erupts as onlookers marvel at the sight, accompanied by the rapid clicks of camera shutters.
This isn’t a meet-and-greet for some pop star. It’s afternoon tea time at Giant Panda Breeding’s Chengdu Research Base, and five adolescent pandas, each about 2 years old, come bounding out of their indoor shelter like playful calves. Tumbling over each other, sometimes stumbling and other times looking grumpy at their own clumsiness, they run towards the freshly laid bamboo. Once they find their favorite tender shoots or leaves, they settle into the sun and enjoy their feast at their leisure.
In China, pandas are real superstars.
In recent years, internet-famous pandas like Hua Hua, Meng Lan and Qi Zai have drawn huge crowds to panda sanctuaries and zoos across the country. Devoted fans flock to these locations, and some even stream their visits live. On social media and short video platforms, pandas have “super topics” that generate billions of views.
Whether scratching an itch, yawning or eating bamboo, pandas draw cheers from onlookers and likes on the Internet. And as they roll on the ground, fans are overjoyed as if they’ve won the lottery.
Qing Feng is a professional panda photographer based in Chengdu. His daily job consists of capturing these adorable moments.
About 50 photographers are regularly stationed at the Chengdu base, Qing told the Global Times. Some are just fans, while others have turned their passion into their livelihood. They are easily recognized by the panda stickers adorning their professional telephoto lenses and the badges of their favorite pandas pinned to their backpacks.
Since livestreaming is not allowed in the park, some panda streamers record footage during the day and broadcast it on short video platforms in the evenings or mornings, connecting with panda fans around the world and selling panda-related merchandise.
Among these panda celebrities, He Hua, affectionately known as Hua Hua, is undoubtedly the biggest star. This 4-year-old panda stands out because of its particularly round physique. At the Chengdu base, seeing Hua Hua for just three minutes means queuing for 1 to 3 hours, with some fans queuing as early as 1am. Even her caretakers and guards have become famous.
“I fell in love with Hua Hua at first sight. She is so beautiful and has such a gentle character,” Helen, a pensioner, said about Hua Hua in the gift shop outside her residence. In October, Helen moved from Shanghai to Chengdu to be closer to Hua Hua, and now she says she comes there almost every day.
“She seems to have a human soul,” Helen told the Global Times.
In April, the Chengdu Culture and Tourism Bureau appointed Hua Hua as honorary director of Chengdu Culture and Tourism, while announcing her resume and educational background.
According to data from the Sichuan Provincial Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 264,000 tourists visited the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding during the 2024 May holiday, making it the second most popular attraction in the entire country. Purchasing a 50 yuan ($7) ticket to the base can encourage an additional 1,450 yuan ($200) in local spending on transportation, accommodation and more.
Outside Hua Hua, panda housing institutions are doing everything they can to create online buzz. For example, Fei Yun at Dalian Forest Zoo is known for her sweet smile and has become a beloved figure among panda lovers. Ling Yan, who lives at the Luanchuan Bamboo Sea Wildlife Zoo in Henan’s Luoyang, has won hearts with his playful antics such as pushing toy carts and ‘dancing’. At the Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, panda triplets Ku Ku, Shuai Shuai and Meng Meng have their own moving train.
Giant pandas accelerate local economic growth and attract domestic and international tourists. In addition to ticket sales, the growing number of visitors has increased demand for panda-themed products and associated hotels and restaurants, leading to increased employment demand.
However, pandas are more than just that. Their protection and population growth also represent the achievements of China’s biodiversity conservation.
This sense of responsibility resonates with many panda fans. While looking at pandas, some advised other visitors to lower their voices, avoid eating and learn more about the animals. Some would communicate with keepers to ensure the pandas live a better life.
“We spread positive energy,” says Helen. “We will always accompany these pandas.”
Two pairs of giant pandas enjoy a fruit festival together at Chongqing Zoo in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality on October 3, 2024, during the national holidays. Photo: VCG
Children can choose from a range of panda-themed souvenirs outside Giant Panda Breeding’s Chengdu Research Base. Photo: Shan Jie/GT
Giant panda Ku Ku celebrates his 10th birthday aboard his train at the Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong province, on July 29, 2024. Photo: VCG
Children take part in a birthday celebration for Ling Yan, a giant panda, at the Luanchuan Bamboo Sea Wildlife Zoo in Luoyang, central China’s Henan province, on August 18, 2023. Photo: VCG
Known as the ‘Third Prince of Xizhimen’, he is strikingly handsome, exceptionally intelligent and once almost escaped from the zoo. Photo: VCG
Giant panda He Hua (Hua Hua) poses for visitors before “clocking out” at Giant Panda Breeding’s Chengdu Research Base on December 1, 2024. Photo: Shan Jie/GT
Children can choose from a range of panda-themed souvenirs outside Giant Panda Breeding’s Chengdu Research Base. Photo: Shan Jie/GT
Qi Zai, the only captive brown panda, enjoys listening to gossip, as Internet users joke. Photo: VCG
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