Qi Qiao (七巧/Qiqiao) is the panda who knows how to charm her way through life with her quiet grace and clever wit. Born on the Chinese Qixi Festival, also known as Valentine’s Day, she embodies both skill and sweetness. Whether she’s play-fighting with her lively twin sister, Qi Xi, or hiding uneaten food with a cheeky grin, Qi Qiao brings an irresistible blend of playfulness and cleverness that makes her absolutely unforgettable!
Basic Information
- Name: Qi Qiao (七巧)
- Date of Birth: August 2, 2014
- Birthplace: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Gender: Female
- Father: Mei Lan (美兰)
- Mother: Qi Fu (奇福)
- Twin Sister: Qi Xi (七喜)
- Other Siblings: Fu Shun (福顺), Fu Lai (福来), Fu Duo Duo (福多多)
Intriguing Details of Panda Qi Qiao
Name Origin: Qi Qiao’s name reflects her birth on the Chinese Qixi Festival, often referred to as the “Chinese Valentine’s Day.” The Qixi Festival fell on August 2, 2014, according to the lunar calendar. As part of the holiday, people practice traditional customs like “threading needles” to wish for skill and wisdom. In honor of this tradition, the panda born on this day was named “Qi Qiao,” meaning “Seven Skills” and homophonic to praying for skills.
Social Savvy: Although Qi Qiao is a panda, she’s surprisingly adept at handling social situations. On one occasion, her keeper thoughtfully prepared a steamed cornbread to boost her nutrition. However, it was clearly not to Qi Qiao’s taste – you could even see the look of disdain on her face. Despite her dislike, Qi Qiao didn’t throw the food away in front of the keeper. Instead, she reluctantly took a bite, pretending to chew for a while. The moment the keeper walked away, she immediately spit it out and cleverly hid the remaining cornbread behind her butt.
Life Experience of Panda Qi Qiao
Early Life: In her early days, Qi Qiao, along with her twin sister Qi Xi, became a beloved pair at the Chengdu Panda Base. Qi Qiao has a gentle and quiet personality, forming a sharp contrast with her lively and active younger sister, Qi Xi. However, when play-fighting with her sister, if she gets annoyed, she’ll use her weight advantage to pin Qi Xi down.
Move to Inner Mongolia: On September 26, 2016, Qi Qiao and Qi Xi moved to Ordos Zoo in Inner Mongolia, where they began a new chapter in a larger, enriched environment with more toys and activities.
Life in Inner Mongolia: Since arriving at Ordos Zoo, Qi Qiao and her twin sister have enjoyed a lifestyle that could be described as “star treatment.” The zoo specially airlifts fresh bamboo from Chengdu for them every 2–3 days, with each shipment containing enough bamboo to last three days, ensuring they always have the freshest bamboo to eat.
