Global Giant Panda Tour: Exploring Panda Habitats Outside China

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.

South Korea: Everland

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.

Japan: Ueno Zoo

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.

Japan: Adventure World

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.

Qatar: Panda House

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.

Malaysia: Zoo Negara Malaysia

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.

Russia: Moscow Zoo

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.

Singapore: River Wonders

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.

France: ZooParc de Beauval

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.

Netherlands: Ouwehands Zoo

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.

Austria: Tiergarten Schoenbrunn – Zoo Vienna

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.

Finland: Ähtäri Zoo

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.

Denmark: Copenhagen 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.

Germany: Berlin Zoological Garden

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.

Spain: Zoo Aquarium de Madrid

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.

Belgium: Pairi Daiza

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.

USA: Zoo Atlanta

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.

Australia: Adelaide Zoo

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.