Panda Qi Xi: Born on Qi Xi Festival

Panda Qi Xi

Panda Qi Xi (七喜), born on August 3, 2014, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, is a female panda with a special connection to the traditional Chinese Qixi Festival. Her name, “Qi Xi,” was inspired by the festival, as she was born the day after her twin sister, Qi Qiao. Known for her adorable habit of raising her paws while eating, Qi Xi has become a beloved star, delighting visitors at her new home in Inner Mongolia.

Basic Information

Intriguing Details of Panda Qi Xi

Name Origin: Qi Xi’s name holds special significance, as she was born around the time of the Chinese Qixi Festival, which fell on August 2 in 2014. This traditional festival is celebrated with customs such as “needle threading” for skill.

Unique Eating Style: When Qi Xi was a cub, she wasn’t very good at defending herself. The bamboo shoots she held were often snatched away by other panda cubs. To prevent this from happening, Qi Xi gradually developed her own unique eating style – holding one bamboo shoot and stuffing it into her mouth as fast as possible, while raising another shoot high in the air, hoping other pandas couldn’t reach it. However, as you might expect, these efforts were often in vain.

Move to Inner Mongolia: On September 26, 2016, Qi Xi and her twin sister, Qi Qiao, moved from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to Ordos Wild Animal Park in Inner Mongolia. The zoo airlifts fresh bamboo from Chengdu and organizes “panda fishing” activities, encouraging Qi Xi and Qi Qiao to stand up to reach apples and steamed buns, helping to strengthen their lower limbs.

Birthday Celebration: August 3, 2024, marks Qi Xi and Qi Qiao’s 10th birthday. The zoo has prepared a creative birthday celebration for them, featuring not only beautiful cakes and decorations but also Ordos-style song and dance performances, well-wishes from panda fans, and a variety of themed activities.

Gallery of Panda Qi Xi