Celebrate New Year’s Day with “Hai Bang” and “Xing Bao”!

“New year, new vibes! Come, come, let’s take a photo with the pandas!”
“The birthday cake smells so delicious! The panda babies are so lucky…”

On January 1, 2025, the giant panda house at Qianling Mountain Park was filled with excitement as crowds of citizens and tourists eagerly gathered to catch a glimpse of the national treasures, “Hai Bang” and “Xing Bao,” and ring in the New Year with them. People had arrived early, all eager to share the moment with these beloved pandas.

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Li Da, the person in charge of the panda house, told reporters that the park had prepared special holiday gifts for “Hai Bang” and “Xing Bao” in advance: delicious cakes made from pumpkins, apples, carrots, and bamboo leaves, as well as snacks hanging on tree branches, such as oranges, carrots, and lettuce tips. These festive treats were meant to ensure the pandas were well-fed and had plenty of “snacks” to enjoy after their main meal.

As the crowd eagerly waited, “Hai Bang” and “Xing Bao” made their grand entrance. Upon discovering the tasty “cakes” placed before them, the two pandas eagerly approached and began to indulge. Their adorable antics, munching happily on their festive treats, brought waves of laughter and cheers from the onlookers.

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“We set out early to see the pandas. We thought we were getting here early, but when we arrived, there were already so many people! It just shows how popular the pandas are,” one visitor said. “My kids have always loved pandas. We visited last year and made sure to come early this year too. They’re so happy to see the pandas again, and it’s definitely been worth it.” Meanwhile, tourists eagerly snapped photos and exchanged lively conversations.

Li Da shared that in order to let more panda lovers experience the charm of the giant pandas during the holiday season, since Qianling Mountain Park’s panda house began offering free admission on New Year’s Day 2024, the park has organized a variety of themed activities centered around Chinese traditional holidays. These events aim to ensure the pandas have a joyful celebration while allowing visitors to enjoy the experience to the fullest. With the upcoming Chinese New Year, the park plans to hold activities centered on the theme of the “Year of the Snake,” welcoming more citizens and tourists to join the celebrations.

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The panda house is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with the best times to observe the pandas being from 10 AM to 12 PM in the morning and from 3 PM to 5 PM in the afternoon. Li Da also reminded visitors to follow the park’s safety guidelines while viewing the pandas. “Please avoid climbing over barriers or leaning out of them, and parents should refrain from lifting children over their heads to avoid accidents where a child might fall into the enclosure,” Li said. Additionally, visitors are asked not to use flash when taking photos, avoid speaking loudly, and refrain from throwing food into the panda enclosures, as these actions could startle the pandas. It is important to listen to the staff’s guidance and to enjoy the pandas in a civilized manner.