If you ask which exhibit at Hangzhou Zoo is the hottest spot right now, many would instantly say, “the giant panda pavilion!” In August 2023, “Chunsheng” and “Xiangguo” from Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Center arrived in Hangzhou, becoming the new stars of the zoo’s panda house. Over the past few years, these two adorable furballs have been living their best lives - eating, sleeping, and playing well. They bring endless joy to visitors.

This July 6 marks Xiangguo’s 5th birthday. So, how will Hangzhou Zoo celebrate it?

Here’s the scoop: The panda pavilion will open at 8:00 AM this Sunday (July 6) for everyone to join the birthday bash. The keepers will prepare a special cake for Xiangguo, and Chunsheng will get to enjoy the treats too. A few friendly reminders: Visitors must follow staff instructions, refrain from running, shouting, or tapping the glass. No feeding the pandas, climbing the railings, live-streaming, or running drones is allowed. And please, no flash photography or tripods!

For those who can’t make it to the panda pavilion, the birthday party will be livestreamed on its official WeChat Video and Douyin (Chinese TikTok) accounts.

Plus, on Xiangguo’s big day (July 6), there will be special science theater performances at the zoo’s Multifunctional Hall at 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM. The “Giant Panda Health Taskforce” will take the stage to reveal the behind-the-scenes secrets of panda care.

Did you know that giant pandas are living fossils that have survived for 8 million years? But how have they evolved over time? Are they nearsighted? Is bamboo really their favorite food? And what does a typical day in a panda’s life look like? To answer these questions, the zoo is launching a special panda-themed nature class, where the keepers will share fascinating insights. The class will be offered in two sessions - from July 5 to 6, and from July 12 to 13 (Time: 2:00 PM-2:30 PM). Please find the Lecture Hall of Hangzhou Zoo Education Center for the class, which houses a capacity of only 30 people per session (first come, first served).