Born on December 2, 2014, Ying Bang (樱浜/Yingbang), a playful yet introspective giant panda, brings joy wherever she goes. Hailing from Adventure World Zoo in Japan, Ying Bang’s name, meaning “cherry blossom,” symbolizes warmth and happiness, mirroring her gentle nature. Known for her love of sliding and occasional rebellious streak, she’s a panda of unique charm, always capturing hearts with her relaxed demeanor and endearing moments, from sleepiness during meals to playful antics in her enclosure.
Basic Information
- Name: Ying Bang (樱浜)
- Meaning of the Name: Sakura of the Bang Family
- Gender: Female
- Lineage Number: 944
- Date of Birth: December 2, 2014
- Birthplace: Adventure World Zoo, Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
- Father: Yong Ming (永明)
- Mother: Liang Bang (良浜)
- Twin Sister: Tao Bang (桃浜)
- Other Siblings: Yong Bang (永浜), Mei Bang (梅浜), Yang Bang (阳浜), Hai Bang (海浜), You Bang (优浜), Jie Bang (结浜), Cai Bang (彩浜), Feng Bang (枫浜)
Intriguing Details of Panda Ying Bang
Naming Origin: According to the zoo, “Ying Bang” symbolizes the warmth, love, and happiness that giant pandas bring – just like Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms. The name also carries the hope that she will grow up to be generous, strong, and healthy.
Playing on the Slide: During her time in Japan, Ying Bang was obsessed with the slide. One day, she promised her nanny that she’d go eat after just one more turn. But the moment the nanny turned around, Ying Bang made a sneaky detour – rushing straight back to the play area as if the deal had never been made.
Loves Sleeping: Ying Bang has mastered the art of daytime napping, likely because she indulges in feasts at night. She often gets so sleepy while eating that she fights to keep her eyes open, torn between food and sleep. Sometimes, she pauses mid-bite, zoning out in a dreamy daze – only to snap back moments later, determined to finish her meal. It’s a constant battle between her love for food and her need for sleep!
Rebellious: As the day wound down, the more her nannies called for her to go home, the more Ying Bang refused to budge. But in a hilarious twist, when they didn’t call her, she would waltz back on her own – as if it had been her idea all along.
Personality: Ying Bang takes after her mother’s shy and introverted nature. She’s also known for experiencing occasional “eating freezes” – pausing mid-meal to assess if any surrounding sounds might be disturbing her. A natural-born star, she has a knack for maintaining her image, rarely getting caught in an unflattering photo. In fact, as a cub, she once voluntarily posed with a picture frame when visitors wanted a photo – fully embracing her inner celebrity!
Life Experience of Panda Ying Bang
Infancy: Ying Bang was born along with her sister, Tao Bang. Both cubs are female and were of similar size, weighing about 180 grams and measuring approximately 20 centimeters in length. They spent a joyful childhood at Adventure World Zoo in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.
Debut: On May 21, 2015, Ying Bang and Tao Bang, along with their mother Liang Bang, made their debut in the zoo’s outdoor enclosure. This was their first appearance before visitors.
Return to China: On February 22, 2023, Ying Bang, along with her father Yong Ming and sister Tao Bang, returned to China via flight from Kansai Airport in Japan to Chengdu. This event garnered widespread attention in both China and Japan, with Japanese citizens expressing deep reluctance and best wishes for their departure.
Meet the Public: On May 19, 2023, Tao Bang and Ying Bang ended their quarantine and meet the public.
