Red lanterns swayed in the breeze and pounding drums filled the air at the San Diego Zoo’s Panda Ridge. Families gathered to celebrate Chinese New Year, collecting red envelopes, watching lion dances, and tying wishes to a wishing tree heavy with kumquats. Among them, five-year-old Mackenzie carefully tied a red ribbon, her simple wish reading: “Save the baby pandas.” Nearby, Chinese Consul General Guo Shaochun spoke to the crowd. “I am confident that we can work together to promote the friendship between our two peoples,” he said.
The two pandas at the center of this excitement, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, had arrived in San Diego just months earlier. On a bright morning in June 2023, a FedEx Boeing 777—nicknamed the “Panda Express”—landed with two very special passengers from Wolong National Nature Reserve in China. As the cargo doors opened, reporters, zoo staff, and wildlife specialists gathered eagerly. Their arrival was more than a milestone for the San Diego Zoo; it was part of a long tradition of panda diplomacy between China and the U.S.
Since 1972, when First Lady Pat Nixon welcomed China’s gift of Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, pandas have been a symbol of kindness between the two nations. Over time, panda diplomacy shifted from simple gifts to conservation-focused loan agreements, with American zoos—including San Diego—playing key roles in scientific research, tourism, and public education.
For the San Diego Zoo, this is not its first time hosting pandas. Bai Yun and her cub Xiao Liwu lived at the zoo for years before returning to China in 2019. The zoo’s 30-year partnership with Chinese conservationists has helped increase panda numbers, turning them from an endangered species to a vulnerable one. To mark this ongoing relationship, Governor Gavin Newsom declared August 8 as “California Panda Day.”
Yun Chuan and Xin Bao’s arrival at the San Diego Zoo’s Panda Ridge sparked overwhelming excitement. Visitors rushed to the zoo, eager to see the first pandas in the U.S. in over two decades. The demand was so high that attendance surged, with families waiting in long lines just to catch a glimpse of the beloved black-and-white bears. Since their arrival, thousands of visitors have come to see the pandas at Panda Ridge, reflecting their powerful draw and public appeal, according to Chinese Consul General Guo Shaochun.
The excitement reaches well beyond the zoo. Local and national news outlets covered the pandas’ arrival, with headlines celebrating their return. On social media, videos and photos of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao exploring their new home generated millions of views and shares. To bring people even closer to the pandas, the San Diego Zoo launched a 24/7 live panda cam, giving fans around the world a chance to watch their daily routines—whether they were tumbling playfully, climbing rocks, or munching on bamboo.
The San Diego Zoo has long been committed to educating visitors about China’s efforts in wildlife conservation, particularly through its work with giant pandas. The newly renovated Panda Ridge reflects the natural landscapes of Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces, offering visitors an immersive experience that mirrors the pandas’ native habitat.
Every day, zoo educators lead discussions on the collaboration between San Diego and Chinese conservationists. These talks include restoring panda populations, protecting bamboo forests, and studying panda behavior. For many visitors, a trip to Panda Ridge is more than just a chance to see pandas up close. It’s an opportunity to learn about global conservation efforts and the importance of international partnerships.
As Yun Chuan and Xin Bao settle into their new home, the San Diego Zoo remains a cultural and educational bridge between the U.S. and China, reinforcing the shared responsibility of protecting these remarkable animals for future generations.
