Hong Kong’s largest panda-themed exhibition : PANDA GO! FEST HK

The grand welcoming ceremony of Hong Kong’s largest panda exhibition, PANDA GO! FEST HK, was held today at Hong Kong International Airport. A total of 2,500 panda friends and family have arrived from all over, accompanied by two special guests— renowned actors Louis Koo and Charmaine Sheh— who served as panda team leaders to inaugurate the event.

The grand welcoming ceremony of Hong Kong’s largest panda exhibition, PANDA GO! FEST HK, was held today at Hong Kong International Airport.

Following the success of the "100% Doraemon & FRIENDS" exhibition this summer, creative brand AllRightsReserved (ARR) is once again bringing an annual highlight to the city. PANDA GO! FEST HK showcases eight new giant panda designs, along with six Hong Kong-themed panda sculptures as part of the Panda Friends & Family Hong Kong, making up a total of 2,500 unique panda sculptures. The panda tour guide, “PANDA GO! GUIDE”, made its debut at the airport ceremony, leading the 2,500 pandas on their journey.

A total of 2,500 panda friends and family have arrived from all over, accompanied by two special guests— renowned actors Louis Koo and Charmaine Sheh— who served as panda team leaders to inaugurate the event.

Starting December 7, these panda sculptures will visit multiple iconic landmarks across Hong Kong and feature in four large-scale public exhibitions, offering an unparalleled panda-themed experience. ARR warmly invites residents and visitors to join this festive celebration, blending art, tourism, and exhibitions in a truly unique way.

“PANDA GO! GUIDE”, made its debut at the airport ceremony, leading the 2,500 pandas on their journey.

PANDA GO! FEST HK has received strong support from various partners and organizations, including key partners Samsung and Ngong Ping 360; supporting organizations such as the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Tourism Board; and beneficiary institution Ocean Park. Additionally, the welcome ceremony was made even more special with the support of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Cathay, and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited. ARR extends its heartfelt gratitude to all parties involved for their contributions to this cultural, artistic, and tourism event.

The grand welcoming ceremony of Hong Kong’s largest panda exhibition, PANDA GO! FEST HK, was held today at Hong Kong International Airport.

PANDA GO! GUIDE Leads 2,500 Panda Sculptures on a Citywide Adventure

The panda guide, "PANDA GO! GUIDE," made its debut during the welcome ceremony at the Hong Kong International Airport, captivating the audience with its lifelike appearance and setting an exciting tone for the event. Giant pandas, as a globally vulnerable species, are rarely seen up close. To offer citizens and visitors a unique opportunity to encounter the beloved pandas up close, ARR collaborated with the Hollywood-level special modeling company Zeppet*. Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, Zeppet created a highly realistic giant panda model, transforming it into "PANDA GO! GUIDE." The company has an impressive portfolio, including contributions to iconic productions such as "Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends The Movie" from the Ultraman series, early Godzilla films, and exhibits for prestigious museums.

ARR collaborated with the Hollywood-level special modeling company Zeppet*. Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, Zeppet created a highly realistic giant panda model, transforming it into "PANDA GO! GUIDE."

"PANDA GO! GUIDE" meticulously replicates every detail of a giant panda, from its unique pseudo-thumb to its rounded, plush ears, bringing "PANDA GO! GUIDE" to life and making it a standout highlight of the exhibition. "PANDA GO! GUIDE" will lead 2,500 panda sculptures on a journey across Hong Kong’s iconic landmarks, showcasing the city’s vibrant art and tourism attractions. Residents and visitors will have the chance to see the stunning "PANDA GO! GUIDE" in person as part of this unforgettable event.

Zeppet Official Website: https://www.zeppet.com/en/

ARR collaborated with the Hollywood-level special modeling company Zeppet*. Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, Zeppet created a highly realistic giant panda model, transforming it into "PANDA GO! GUIDE."

Organizer ARR Returns to Curate Again, Continuing a Decade-Long Bond with Pandas

The connection between giant pandas and the creative brand AllRightsReserved (ARR) runs deep. In 2014, ARR introduced the iconic "I AM HERE" giant panda installation in Chengdu, the home of pandas, which has since become a local landmark. Later that year, ARR launched the "1600 PANDAS WORLD TOUR IN HONG KONG: CREATIVITY MEETS CONSERVATION," captivating audiences across multiple cities worldwide and pioneering a new exhibition format by appearing at landmark locations through a series of flash exhibitions. For generations, pandas have been cherished as close companions by the people of Hong Kong, holding special meaning for both ARR and the city's residents.

Now, a decade later, with the arrival of four new members, the total number of giant pandas has been brought to six. Also, thanks to global panda conservation efforts, the giant panda population has now grown to over 2,500. This includes wild pandas, which have increased from around 1,600 to approximately 1,900, and over 600 captive pandas. Despite these advancements, pandas remain exceedingly rare.

PANDA GO! FEST HK Returns with Eight New Panda Designs as 2,500 Pandas "On the Go"!

As a result, ARR has decided to bring 2,500 panda sculptures back with a fresh new look. Continuing with Hong Kong as the central hub, ARR is set to create the city’s largest panda-themed exhibition yet, gathering panda lovers and art enthusiasts while spreading panda culture to every corner of Hong Kong. For the PANDA GO! FEST HK, ARR has designed eight new panda designs, which will form a creative collection of 2,500 panda sculptures.

After the welcome ceremony on December 2 at the airport, the PANDA GO! FEST HK officially begins “Panda Friends On the Go”. A group of 2,500 panda sculptures will visit various iconic landmarks across Hong Kong, offering residents and tourists a unique opportunity to get closer with the pandas. The Hong Kong-exclusive IP, Panda Friends & Family Hong Kong, will also join the tour, making appearances at public exhibitions to charm audiences with their adorable designs. This initiative brings art into everyday life while raising awareness about giant panda conservation.

“PANDA GO! GUIDE”, made its debut at the airport ceremony, leading the 2,500 pandas on their journey.

The 2,500 panda sculptures will be featured in four large-scale public exhibitions, inviting residents and visitors to experience the pandas' unique charm and the festive atmosphere of the event. The number of panda sculptures will be adjusted according to the location and area of ​​the exhibition place. For more details, please refer to Table 1.

Table 1: PANDA GO! FEST HK Public Exhibitions Details

Official Website Social Media

https://pandago-fest.com/

https://www.instagram.com/PandaGo_Fest

https://www.facebook.com/PandaGoFest

The Exclusive Hong Kong IP, Panda Friends & Family Hong Kong, will Make Its Adorable Debut

When visiting the PANDA GO! FEST HK exhibitions, you will notice six particularly familiar and charming pandas among the crowd. As ARR has specially created six new characters of Panda Friends & Family Hong Kong (PFF HK), an exclusive Hong Kong IP inspired by the city’s panda family. These characters include Ying Ying, Le Le, and the newly added members—Ke Ke*, An An*, and the twin pandas, "Big Sister*" and "Little Brother*" (*existing names).  Each character incorporates their distinct personalities and physical traits with anthropomorphic elements, blending local cultural and lifestyle features to create a one-of-a-kind Hong Kong-exclusive IP. See Table 2 for details.

PFF HK will not only be part of the exhibition but also serve as Hong Kong's giant panda ambassadors. This IP may appear in other panda-related events hosted by various organizations. ARR has gifted this IP to Hong Kong. Organizations are incorporating PFF HK into different settings, actively driving culture and tourism.

This initiative aims to spread joy, boost the economy, and infuse new energy into Hong Kong. During this event, all royalties generated from commercial activities will be fully donated to Ocean Park to support giant panda conservation efforts.

This exhibition also features renowned French artist Paulo Grangeon as the artistic consultant. With his meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of artistic creation, he has further refined and elevated the essence of pandas, ensuring that every sculpture and movement captures the panda's spirit to the fullest.

Table 2: Panda Friends & Family Hong Kong (PFF HK) introduction

Panda-Themed Souvenirs Launching in December!

To celebrate the grand opening of PANDA GO! FEST HK, the largest panda exhibition in Hong Kong, ARR is introducing an exclusive range of panda-themed souvenirs. The collection includes plush toys and limited-edition apparel, all designed with adorable giant panda elements. Giant pandas, cherished companions for generations of Hong Kongers, hold a special place in everyone’s hearts, inspiring the desire to own a panda of their own.

Starting December 2, locals and tourists alike can visit LOG-ON stores to explore this unique collection, bringing pandas home to share the festive spirit with the 2,500 pandas and their "friends" from the exhibition.

*Only available at selected stores:

Time Square, Causeway Bay; Lab Concept, Admiralty; THE SOUTHSIDE, Wong Chuk Hang; Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui; Langham City, Mongkok; city’super, International Financial Center, Central

**Please refer to LOG-ON official social media for release information

An An and Ke Ke, recently gifted to Hong Kong by the central government, met members of the public for the first time on December 8.

Vital expertise: Ocean Park Zoological Operations Assistant Curator Elke Wu says experts from the China Conservation & Research Centre for the Giant Panda have given the care team invaluable assistance. Source from news.gov.hk

Under the dedicated care provided at Ocean Park, the two lively giant pandas are adjusting well to their new environment, and have been eating and sleeping well.

The park is providing specialist training for the pandas, to make it easier for caregivers to perform dental and blood pressure checks, draw blood samples, and even undertake ultrasound examinations, without the need for anaesthesia.

Ocean Park Zoological Operations Assistant Curator Mandy Tang explained that adult giant pandas are large and powerful, and that their bite force is very strong. This means health checks must be performed with care inside their dedicated training cages.

"By just calling [a panda's] name, if he is willing to come close and allow you to hand-feed him, this is already a basic part of his caregiving training."

An An has already learned to walk from the exhibition area to his training cage on hearing Mandy's call. On arriving in the cage, he extends his hand and makes a fist.

The caregivers have carried out what they call “desensitisation” training with An An. This allows them to use a trimmer on his fur, apply disinfectant to his skin, and gently apply a syringe to his arm, without him becoming frightened. As a reward for accepting their care without fuss, he is given apple slices.

"Giant pandas are very smart,” Mandy stressed. “Step by step, we teach him to touch a target stick with his nose. With the help of the target stick, we can lead him from one place to another, and he can even lie down for us to measure his body temperature.”. 

Meal preparation: The giant pandas’ diet includes bamboo, bamboo shoots, vegetables, high-fibre cookies and freshly steamed "wo wo tou". Source from news.gov.hk

Nutritious diet

Giant pandas eat four meals a day. Their staple food is bamboo from Sichuan and Guangzhou.

The caregivers store the bamboo in a food cabinet that is temperature-controlled and has a sprinkler system to keep the plants fresh.

"The supply and taste of bamboo is greatly affected by weather and environmental factors such as water and soil,” Mandy said. “We provide each giant panda with five to six different types of bamboo daily."

Their diet also includes bamboo shoots, fruit, vegetables, and high-fibre cookies. Like humans, individual pandas have different preferences. While An An loves apples and carrots, "wo wo tou" is Ke Ke's favourite.

"Wo wo tou is freshly made by us from rice flour, soybean flour, and cornmeal, mixed with eggs,” Mandy explained. “The ingredients are kneaded like bread dough, and then steamed."

Giant pandas in the wild spend a lot of time looking for food. Accordingly, Ocean Park has enriched the pandas' environment with items they can play with and which allow them to “forage” even in a captive environment where there is sufficient food.

"We want them to use their intelligence, and their sense of taste, smell, and sight, to forage, which is good for their mental health."

Both five years old – roughly equivalent to 15 years old for a human – An An and Ke Ke have entered what is considered to be adulthood for giant pandas. Mandy highlighted that spring is the breeding season for the species, and said the park will closely monitor any behavioural changes.

"For instance, we will observe whether Ke Ke rubs her tail on the ground. Giant pandas have glandular secretions in their tails, leaving behind a unique scent, which is an important sign of entering their mating season."

Mental stimulation: “Environmental enrichment” items such as this ball allow the pandas to simulate the process of foraging for food in a captive environment. Source from news.gov.hk

Future attractions

The first panda twin cubs born in Hong Kong are anticipated to be another huge attraction at Ocean Park. 

Currently about four months old, the twins' canine teeth are now becoming visible.

Ocean Park Zoological Operations Assistant Curator Elke Wu said pandas feel itchy in their mouths and often want to chew on things at the teething stage.

"When they reach seven to eight months old, they will begin to pick up leftover bamboo leaves or other solid food from their mother and learn to chew. We will then let them try softer foods like bamboo shoot granules."

She added that with the twins' forelimbs growing strong, they can now support themselves to crawl forward, meaning that they will probably soon learn to stand up and walk.

Close monitoring: Ocean Park Zoological Operations Assistant Curator Mandy Tang says she will observe any behavioural changes in Ke Ke during the breeding season. Source from news.gov.hk

Expert guidance

Elke has been working at Ocean Park for 17 years and has cared for older giant pandas such as the late An An and Jia Jia, as well as Le Le, Ying Ying – the twins' mother – and now her precious offspring.

She said that she was honoured to have experts from the China Conservation & Research Centre for the Giant Panda assisting the Ocean Park team with delivery and rearing, and stressed that their experience in panda care has been vital.

"From the beginning, we all followed the teachings of the experts. In the first few days after Ying Ying's labour, we were reluctant to leave because the experience was so valuable. From choosing the delivery room and the facilities in the nursery to the amount of milk fed to the cubs, we heavily relied on the experts' invaluable experience."

She added with a smile that while most mother pandas like to eat honey, Ying Ying is not a big fan. With the help of the experts, however, the team discovered that she is fond of electrolyte water, which turned out to be useful in getting her to eat and aided in her postpartum care.

Desensitisation process: Caregivers gently touch An An’s arm with a syringe to familiarise him with the blood-drawing process. Source from news.gov.hk