Panda Ying Ying: Wealth and Prosperity

Imagine a panda named Ying Ying (盈盈/Yingying), whose very name symbolizes wealth and prosperity, radiating charm from her birthplace at the Wolong Base in China. Born on August 16, 2005, Ying Ying’s journey took her to the heart of Hong Kong, where she became a beloved icon. With a history marked by significant milestones, including the birth of rare twin cubs, Ying Ying’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the promise of a prosperous future.

Basic Information

Name: Ying Ying (盈盈)
Meaning of the Name: Wealth and Prosperity
Gender: Female
Birth Date: August 16, 2005
Place of Birth: Wolong Base, China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center
Mother: Xi Xi (茜茜)
Father: Lu Lu (芦芦)
Genealogy Number: 610
Siblings: Rong Rong (融融), Mei Xi (美茜), Mei Xin (美欣), Yun Duo (云朵), Hua Bao (华豹), Ya Mei (雅美), Yun Er (云儿), Zhuang Zhuang (壮壮)

Life Exprience of Panda Ying Ying

Early Life and Naming: Ying Ying spent her early years under the dedicated care of professionals at the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center. Her name, “Ying Ying,” was inspired by the famous Chinese author Jin Yong’s philosophy that “Hong Kong people value wealth and prosperity,” and thus the name was intended to symbolize good fortune and a prosperous future for the panda.

Relocation to Hong Kong: In April 2007, Ying Ying, along with male giant panda Le Le (乐乐), was sent as a gift from the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China. The two pandas were housed at the Ocean Park Hong Kong, where they quickly became the park’s star attractions. Ying Ying officially greeted the public at the Panda House on July 1, 2007, and since then, she has been an iconic figure in Hong Kong.

Breeding and Reproductive Efforts: Ying Ying has been an active participant in the giant panda breeding program. In October 2015, ultrasound scans at Ocean Park confirmed that Ying Ying was pregnant. Unfortunately, the pregnancy ended with the absorption of the fetus. However, in April 2020, Ying Ying and Le Le successfully mated naturally for the first time in nine years. Their successful pairing marked a new chapter in their breeding history.

Twin Cubs: In March 2024, Ying Ying and Le Le again successfully mated, and after nearly five months of gestation, Ying Ying gave birth to a pair of twins — a rare “dragon and phoenix” pair — on the morning of August 15, 2024.

Debut of the Twins: On February 15, the twin cubs celebrated their six-month birthday and officially met the public.