Japanese Tourists Visit China to See Giant Panda Xiang Xiang

In Sichuan Province, the hometown of giant pandas, these beloved creatures are becoming increasingly popular. Xiang Xiang, a giant panda born at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo and now living in Sichuan, draws numerous Japanese fans to the region, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Xiang Xiang resides at the Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center in Ya’an, Sichuan Province, which frequently welcomes Japanese visitors. On June 12, Xiang Xiang’s 7th birthday, hundreds of fans, including many from Japan, came to see her. “It is wonderful to see so many people love Xiang Xiang,” exclaimed an excited Japanese female fan.

Japanese Tourists Visit China To See Giant Panda Xiang Xiang

Having been born and raised in Japan, Xiang Xiang is described by local Sichuan media as “as popular as a daughter returning from studying abroad.” Chinese media have noted that tourism activities related to Xiang Xiang have “breathed new life into the Japanese tourism market in China.”

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is located 10 kilometers from downtown Chengdu. The female giant panda He Hua is on display here. A Sichuan official remarked on He Hua’s popularity, saying, “If you go to see her, be prepared to queue for three hours and only get to watch her for three minutes.”

In downtown Chengdu, the “Panda Bookstore” also attracts many tourists. Books themed around Xiang Xiang are particularly popular. Originally an ordinary bookstore, it was renovated last July to specialize in giant panda-related books. Since the renovation, the number of customers has increased by about 20 times. Cheng Yuxuan, the manager of Panda Bookstore, happily told reporters, “Xiang Xiang grew up in Tokyo as a ‘princess’ and is very popular in China. She symbolizes the friendship between China and Japan.”