Goodbye party held in Washington, D.C. for giant pandas before China return

China

2023.10.01 13:52 GMT+8

Goodbye party held in Washington, D.C. for giant pandas before China return

Updated 2023.10.01 13:52 GMT+8

CGTN

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji (male) at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the U.S., September 30, 2023. /CFP

Giant panda Mei Xiang (female) at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the U.S., September 30, 2023. /CFP

Giant panda Tian Tian (male) at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the U.S., September 30, 2023. /CFP

This week might be bittersweet for bear fans in the U.S. as a giant farewell celebration was held at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Fans gathered to say goodbye to giant pandas Mei Xiang (female), Tian Tian (male) and their 3-year-old cub Xiao Qi Ji (male), who are coming back to China in this December.

The week-long event "Panda Palooza," from September 23 to October 1, includes panda-themed arts and crafts projects, temporary tattoos, photo backdrops and virtual events, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo.

Children paint on masks at the "Panda Palooza" in the Smithsonian National Zoo, Washington, D.C., the U.S., September 30, 2023. /CFP

Visitors paint and write with Chinese calligraphy brushes at the "Panda Palooza" in the Smithsonian National Zoo, Washington, D.C., the U.S., September 30, 2023. /CFP

Visitors take photos in Chinese hanfu at the Smithsonian National Zoo, Washington, D.C., the U.S., September 30, 2023. /CFP

Visitors take photos in front of a giant panda toy at the Smithsonian National Zoo, Washington, D.C., the U.S., September 30, 2023. /CFP

The National Zoo received Tian Tian and Mei Xiang in December 2000. Since their arrival, they have had four cubs – Tai Shan (2005), Bao Bao (2013), Bei Bei (2015) and Xiao Qi Ji (2020). The eldest three siblings have already come back to China.

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