Recently, the streets and alleys of Hangzhou have been painted in hues of autumn. A delightful surprise awaits visitors at the intersection of Tianmushan Road and Wantang Road in West Lake District. A charming panda sculpture, dressed in a vibrant red autumnal top and striking a yoga pose, has become a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.

Just like the rabbit sculpture that went viral on the Internet, this Yoga Panda also has four seasonal outfits. “It’s a wonderful gift from nature!” exclaimed a representative from the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Gardening and Cultural Relics. The panda’s body is adorned with four different plants: crabapple, sedum, needle stonecrop, and green grass. As the crabapple blossoms bloom, the panda changes into a red top.

To ensure the panda’s timely outfit change, urban maintenance staff carefully selected clubbed begonia, known in China as Siji (four-season) begonias. “True to its name, this begonia can bloom year-round,” explained a staff member from the Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau of West Lake District. “For optimal visual appeal, 24,000 seedlings were cultivated in a greenhouse until they bloomed. Then, they were carefully planted by our landscaping team.”

The panda, clad in its red top, gracefully stretches its arms and performs yoga amidst a sea of flowers. Behind the panda, purpletop vervain blooms in full splendor, creating a stunning contrast. Captivated by the panda’s cuteness and smiling, playful demeanor, passersby stop to admire its beauty or snap photos.