Today is the Lantern Festival, and as lanterns light up across the country and families prepare festive foods symbolizing reunion, “Meng Meng,” the giant panda at Chimelong Safari Park, and her cub “Mei Zhu” are enjoying their own holiday feast. They are indulging in a special “Yuanxiao” (sweet dumplings) meal and celebrating the festival with visitors.
This Spring Festival, “Mei Zhu” has brought much joy to visitors across the country. In the park’s Panda Paradise, nearly 8-month-old “Mei Zhu” rested on her pink throne, looking especially adorable with her round belly. Her little eyes darted around, curiously observing the newly hung windmills and lanterns.
When the zookeepers brought out a carefully prepared reunion meal, “Mei Zhu” eagerly began her own “eating show” using both her hands and feet. The zookeepers and the enrichment staff had transformed panda favorites—such as carrots, bamboo shoots, and fruit—into “Yuanxiao” (sweet dumplings), “Cantonese cured meats,” and “fish, shrimp, and crab.” The panda mother and daughter ate happily, much to the delight of visitors.
Zookeeper Wu Zhenhong explained that this is “Mei Zhu’s” first Lantern Festival. They wanted to make the celebration more special by offering a variety of festive foods to enhance the holiday’s sense of ritual. “Mei Zhu” has become quite skilled at eating now; she can use her hands to hold food and even her feet to hook or grab it. During the New Year, they also introduced her to traditional Cantonese snacks, and she has been more active since.
In Cantonese, the word for “lantern” sounds like “ding,” symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. At Chimelong Safari Park, visitors can see holiday decorations like intangible cultural heritage lanterns all around. They can enjoy guessing lantern riddles, visiting the “Mei Zhu” flower street, collecting “Mei Zhu”-themed windmills, and experiencing the charm of this traditional holiday.