https://au.trip.com/blog/global-giant-panda-tour-guide

Global Giant Panda Tour: Exploring Panda Habitats Outside China

Contents

  • South Korea: Everland
  • Japan: Ueno Zoo
  • Japan: Adventure World
  • Qatar: Panda House
  • Malaysia: Zoo Negara Malaysia
  • Russia: Moscow Zoo
  • Singapore: River Wonders
  • France: ZooParc de Beauval
  • Netherlands: Ouwehands Zoo
  • Austria: Tiergarten Schoenbrunn - Zoo Vienna
  • Finland: Ähtäri Zoo
  • Denmark: Copenhagen Zoo
  • Germany: Berlin Zoological Garden
  • Spain: Zoo Aquarium de Madrid
  • Belgium: Pairi Daiza
  • USA: Zoo Atlanta
  • Australia: Adelaide Zoo
  • Show more

Giant pandas are China's national treasure and one of the world's most beloved animals. As ambassadors of friendship, they are exhibited in several countries, including South Korea, Qatar, Japan, Malaysia, and Russia. Here’s a guide to visiting these traveling pandas.



Pandas: Ai Bao, Le Bao, Rui Bao, Hui Bao (the famous Fu Bao family, with mother Ai Bao, father Le Bao, and siblings Rui Bao and Hui Bao)

Highlights: Located in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, south of Seoul, Everland is the only place in South Korea where you can see giant pandas. The famous panda Fu Bao was born here and is affectionately called "Princess Fu." The caretakers, Grandpa Kang and Grandpa Song have become social media influencers. The Fu Bao family' habitat is designed to replicate the Sichuan Panda Conservation Base. Everland is South Korea's large theme park, featuring the country's first wooden roller coaster, T-Express, exciting performances, and a fascinating wildlife world.


Everland


Pandas: Shin Shin, Ri Ri, Xiao Xiao, Lei Lei (family of "Xiang Xiang," who returned to China in February 2023; parents Shin Shin and Ri Ri will also return)

Highlights: Ueno Zoo is a famous zoo in Japan. The pandas from China are famous residents, and there's a panda statue at Ueno Station, a local landmark. "Xiang Xiang," born at Ueno Zoo, became an instant sensation, earning the title of Japan's Chinese "celebrity." There's also a captivating documentary, "Homecoming! Panda Princess Xiang Xiang." The zoo features a reptile house, nocturnal animal house, aquarium, and various themed exhibits with alpacas, ostriches, and more.


Ueno Zoo


Pandas: Liangbin, Caibin, Fengbin, Jiebin

Highlights: Adventure World is a large theme park combining a zoo, aquarium, and amusement park. It hosts the famous panda family from China: the “Bin" family, named after their location in Shirahama. This outdoor zoo allows close encounters with various animals and offers a free train ride through the wildlife area.


Adventure World


Pandas: Si Hai, Jing Jing (Si Hai is known for climbing trees and enjoying the natural surroundings)

Highlights: The "luxurious mansion" of Panda House in Qatar is home to Jing Jing and Si Hai. The facility simulates Wolong's natural climate and employs a professional care team, including "panda nannies" from Sichuan. About 1,000 kilograms of bamboo are airlifted weekly from Sichuan, making Jing Jing and Si Hai the "winners" of panda life, enjoying meals, lounging, and playing non-stop.


Panda House


Pandas: Fu Wa (Xing Xing), Feng Yi (Liang Liang) (the couple has had three cubs, with "Nuan Nuan" now in Nanjing and "Yi Yi" and "Sheng Yi" in Sichuan)

Highlights: Located in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur, Zoo Negara Malaysia features tropical rainforest habitats and animals from around the world. The highlight is the two pandas, "Liang Liang" and "Xing Xing." from China. The air-conditioned panda house ensures they are well cared for. Visitors can also see the critically endangered Malayan tiger.


Zoo Negara Malaysia


Pandas: Ru Yi, Ding Ding, Katyusha (Ruyi is in Moscow showing off her wild side with "Bloodline Awakening"! From tire workouts to hanging upside down, dancing in the trees, and rolling in the snow... she's full of surprises. And their baby, Katyusha, is as cute as can be!)

Highlights: Moscow Zoo, located in the city's center, is home to a panda family. In 2023, "Katyusha" became the first panda born in Russia, with her name chosen by Moscow residents through an online vote. The panda's popularity has soared since her birth. The zoo also features polar bears, flamingos, pelicans, and Asian elephants.


Moscow Zoo


River Wonders
River Wonders
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# Boat tour# Zoos & aquariums
River WondersI originally planned to take the artsy route, playing soft instrumental music and slowly appreciating the mountain scenery while driving. But after only five kilometers, I switched my playlist to some really down-to-earth DJ music, blasting the volume, rolling down all the windows, and making the wheels bounce to the beat. Even an old man on a tricycle passing by nodded along to my music. I burst out laughing. Okay, this is the right way to drive! I sped along the highway, scaring the chickens, ducks, and geese along the roadside into scattering in all directions. I quickly slowed down, afraid of hitting them and having to pay for the damages. Then a farmer by the roadside shouted at me, "Young man, your music is so energetic! My chickens are laying eggs to your rhythm!" I laughed so hard I almost drove into a ditch. We stopped at a roadside stall halfway through the journey. The owner, a very talkative middle-aged man, chatted with me for half an hour about his driving experience, saying he was young... Back in the day, I'd ride a beat-up bicycle and dare to head into the mountains. Now that I'm older, I drive a minivan and wander around the mountains every day. It's so much more enjoyable than going to work. I wholeheartedly agree. I immediately clinked glasses with the uncle, exchanging iced sodas, and we became friends despite our age difference. With the help of the cheesy DJ, the wheels swayed over mountain after mountain and around bend after bend. Even the dogs on the roadside wagged their tails to my music. Forget about any artistic atmosphere; nothing beats the coolness of a cheesy DJ on a wild highway. Late into the night, as I drove back, the music was still blaring in the car. My voice was hoarse from shouting, but I felt incredibly good. It turns out that true freedom doesn't need any fancy packaging. If you dare to turn the volume up, dare to shout along to the music, and dare to drive recklessly to deserted places, that's the best road trip. Even the dust on the car is a testament to my clubbing 🎵 today. A road trip is a secluded path leading to the depths of one's heart. The scenery outside the car window is external clamor, while the tranquility inside the car is an inner refuge. During the long journey, I felt as if I had undergone a spiritual cleansing; the problems that once troubled me seemed so insignificant in the vastness of the world. Road trips taught me to think independently and to find strength in solitude—a process of self-growth more precious than any scenery. Whether on a smooth highway or a winding mountain road, every journey tempered my will, making me more resilient and composed. In these moments of solitude, I rediscovered myself, rediscovering the deep-seated yearning for freedom and love for life within me. This profound self-awareness fills me with confidence for the future. Passing through an unnamed little village, several elderly people sat in front of their doors basking in the sun, smiling and nodding at me. Their pure kindness warmed my heart.
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Pandas: Kai Kai, Jia Jia (their kid Le Le has returned to China, and currently lives in Dujiangyan China Giant Panda Garden)

Highlights: River Wonders is a river-themed wildlife park where visitors can explore the lush panda bamboo forest and meet two adorable pandas. The Panda Forest is a highlight, designed to utilize the natural slope, allowing close parallel viewing of the pandas. The glass dome controls temperature and humidity, creating a suitable environment. The zoo also showcases various freshwater wildlife from around the world, including giant otters, salamanders, and Mekong catfish.


River Safari Singapore


Pandas: Huan Huan, Yuan Zi, Yuan Dudu, Huan Lili (Huan Huan and Yuan Zi have three kids, with Yuan Meng now returning to China, Yuan Dudu and Huan Lili are twins.)

Highlights: ZooParc de Beauval is a large and one of the world's most beautiful zoos in the world, located in France. To welcome the pandas, the zoo invited Chinese garden experts to build the "China Peak" panda house, complete with a luxurious hot spring pool. Visitors can also see animals like giraffe Adeline, orangutan Nonja, and penguin Nils Olav.


ZooParc de Beauval


Pandas: Wu Wen, Xing Ya, Fan Xing

Highlights: Located in Rhenen, the zoo's main building features traditional Chinese palace-style architecture, housing pandas from China. Concerned about the pandas' homesickness, the zoo once organized a band to sing "Water Melody" for them during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The zoo also hosts animals from around the world, including polar bears, giraffes, lions, tigers, and elephants.


Ouwehands Zoo


Pandas: Yang Yang, Yuan Yuan (expected to return to China this year, New pair of Giant Pandas coming to Austria)

Highlights: Located within the Schönbrunn Palace, the zoo was built over 200 years ago by the Habsburg dynasty and is now one of the world's oldest existing zoos. It is one of the few zoos with pandas and hosted a "Panda Culture Experience" in 2024. Other attractions include the rainforest house, polar house, and seal house.




Zoo Vienna




Pandas: Jin Bao Bao, Hua Bao

Highlights: Ähtäri Zoo, located in western Finland, is home to two adorable pandas living in a panda house built at a cost of over 8 million euros. The zoo features various animals, with the brown bear being the most famous.


Ähtäri Zoo


Pandas: Xing Er, Mao Er

Highlights: Copenhagen Zoo is a historic zoo that built a new panda house inspired by the Chinese Tai Chi symbol, resembling a valley with a bamboo grove. Visitors can see polar bears, penguins, seals, rare Tasmanian devils, Amur leopards, and Amur tigers.


Copenhagen Zoo

Pandas: Meng Meng, and Jiao Qing (their twins kids "Meng Xiang" and "Meng Yuan" have returned to China, and currently live in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding)

Highlights: Berlin Zoological Garden is a historic and visited zoo in Germany. To welcome "Meng Meng" and "Jiao Qing," a new 5,500-square-meter "Panda Garden" was built in the zoo's center. The zoo, including the aquarium, houses over 1,500 animal species.


Berlin Zoological Garden


Pandas: Jin Xi, Zhu Yu (‘Jinxi’ and “Zhuyu” are a new pair of Spanish resident pandas. Previously, the pandas ‘Bingxing’ and ‘Hua Bazi’ and their 3 kids have returned to China.)

Highlights: In May 2024, the Madrid Zoo's panda house held an opening ceremony, with Queen Sofia unveiling a panda-themed sculpture. "Jin Xi" and "Zhu Yu" were introduced to the public. The Zoo Aquarium de Madrid combines a zoo, dolphinarium, aquarium, and aviary, with each area recreating the animals' natural habitats and featuring expansive gardens.


Zoo Aquarium de Madrid


Pandas: Xing Hui, Hao Hao, Tian Bao, Bao Di, Bao Mei (Xing Hui and Hao Hao's three kids are returning to China, ‘Tianbao is the first, and ‘BaoDi’ and ‘BaoMei’ are Boy-girl twins.)

Highlights: Pairi Daiza is home to many rare animals and plants, as well as a massive aquarium. The park features a Chinese garden, one of Europe's largest, built as a "mansion" for the panda cubs, with a 5,300-square-meter panda house.


Pairi Daiza


Pandas: Yang Yang, Lun Lun, Ya Lun, Xi Lun (They are expected to return to China in the fourth quarter of 2024. ‘Lunlun’ and ‘Yangyang’ gave birth to seven pandas. Apart from ‘Yalun’ and ‘Xilun’, their older siblings have returned to China and are now living in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.)

Highlights: Zoo Atlanta is recognized by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The famous male panda "Mei Lan" was born here and became popular for its beauty and gentle nature before returning to China in 2010. The famous pandas today, "Meng Lan" and "Hua Hua," are his offspring. Popular attractions include the Parakeet Adventure, African Savanna, African Rainforest, Asian Forest, and Reptile World. The African Rainforest houses a large number of gorillas, while the Asian Forest is home to pandas from China.


Zoo Atlanta


Pandas: Wang Wang, Fu Ni (expected to return to China by the end of 2024)

Highlights: Adelaide Zoo, located in South Australia's capital, is home to both native and exotic animals. It houses two pandas and a large panda enclosure featuring outdoor play areas and indoor glass rooms with air conditioning for summer. Every corner of the panda enclosure is filled with bamboo.


Adelaide Zoo