With the return of “Xiaoxiao” and “Leilei” from Ueno Zoo to China on January 27, the number of giant pandas in Japan has finally dropped to zero. While giant pandas can also be seen in nearby places like Taiwan and South Korea, the hottest panda spot right now is “Hong Kong Ocean Park” (180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong Island).
Located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, this large-scale theme park combines a zoo, aquarium, and amusement park. It has seen a surge in popularity following the birth of twin pandas “Jaja” (female) and “Didi” (male) on August 15, 2024, attracting large numbers of visitors from all over. Kinki Nippon Tourist is offering a tour called “Let’s Go Meet the Cute Panda Twins! Giant Panda Viewing Tour,” which allows visitors to easily see the twin pandas. This tour is being sold as a joint initiative with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Hong Kong Ocean Park.
Since a documentary film chronicling the twins’ growth from birth to the present—timed to coincide with their second birthday—was to be screened as a special feature during the tour, I decided to hop on a flight to Hong Kong.
This Kinki Nippon Tourist tour includes airfare, hotel accommodations, and admission tickets to Hong Kong Ocean Park. Its biggest perk, however, is a special program that grants priority access to the park before it opens, allowing you to be the first to meet the panda twins. You can join the VIP tour titled “A Treasured Moment with the Giant Panda Twins” (HK$1,500 for adults), held on designated dates, without any hassle. From 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., before the park opens, only tour participants are allowed to visit, so you won’t have to deal with the crowds—making this a truly “VIP” tour.
Filled with excitement, we gathered in front of Ocean Park before the show began and made our way through the still-empty grounds toward the building where the twin pandas live. The numerous panda decorations scattered throughout the park are a testament to their popularity. There are quite a few photo spots alone.
As you know, giant pandas—which make their homes in the mountainous regions of Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces in China—are sensitive to high temperatures. For this reason, the buildings where they are kept are kept cool and comfortable, which is a real treat for us humans as well—especially under the blazing summer sun.
As soon as I entered the building and made my way to the viewing area, my eyes were immediately drawn to the twin pandas, who were already munching away on bamboo with great relish. Although separated by glass, they were close by, and since only a limited number of people were allowed in, I was grateful to be able to take photos freely from various angles. When they got tired of eating, they played with stuffed animals and a tub, and sometimes they’d start roughhousing—almost like a sibling squabble—so it was never boring to watch.
Since there were staff members who spoke Japanese, I asked them a few questions. They told me that the younger panda, Didi, can be easily distinguished by the red patch on the back of his neck, while his older sister, Jaja, has cheeks that puff out like a hamster’s. Although these twin pandas are two years old and full of energy, they tend to fall asleep around noon once they’ve had their fill, so I learned that it’s best to visit early in the day to get a good look at them.
In addition, four of the six giant pandas are housed in this building, and both the father, Lala (乐乐), and the mother, Yingying (盈盈), are kept in the open-range area. Since Yingying’s enclosure is connected to that of the panda twins, she sometimes teaches them how to climb trees and other skills.
After enjoying the sights, you can also buy some souvenirs to commemorate your visit. There’s a gift shop right next door, and the sight of rows upon rows of panda merchandise is truly spectacular. You can browse the wide variety of items and choose whatever catches your eye—whether it’s something for yourself or a gift for someone else.
In the afternoon, a special preview screening was held exclusively for this event. Without giving away too much, the film chronicles the growth of the twin pandas, Jaja and Didi, from the time Yinyin became pregnant with them and gave birth to them, up to the present day.
The film was produced as a meticulously documented documentary featuring Inin, who gave birth at an advanced age; the staff members who rushed to her aid when problems arose; and an interview in which she spoke about her feelings at the time. While a general release is reportedly being considered, no decision has been made as of yet.
In addition, Hong Kong Ocean Park features a cable car offering spectacular views, an amusement park with roller coasters, and an aquarium where you can observe a wide variety of marine life, so you can continue to have fun to your heart’s content even after the panda viewing program ends.
The hotel where we’ll be staying during the tour is the “Hotel Alexandra” (32 City Garden Rd, North Point, Hong Kong Island), located on the waterfront in the northeastern part of Hong Kong Island. It’s a quintessentially Hong Kong-style hotel with multiple high-rise towers, and its interior is characterized by a palace-like splendor.
The guest rooms are compact yet designed for practicality, ensuring a comfortable stay. One thing to note is that, due to the implementation of environmental protection laws (plastic regulations) in Hong Kong, disposable plastic amenities (such as toothbrushes and combs) and bottled water are generally prohibited, so they are not provided in the rooms.
Therefore, you’ll need to either bring your own or buy something at a nearby store, but fortunately, there are plenty of convenience stores and supermarkets in the neighborhood, so you shouldn’t have any trouble.
The tour package also includes a special treat: the chance to enjoy a panda cake at “Café A,” the hotel’s restaurant. This time, they served a mille-feuille topped with a panda-shaped macaron. The pastry layers, generously filled with pistachio cream, were rich yet not overly sweet—even I polished it off in no time.
As this was my first visit to Hong Kong, I spent my free time exploring as much as possible, and I was captivated by the city’s diverse charm—a blend of a cutting-edge metropolis and a traditional port town. Public transportation is well-developed and very convenient, so you’ll surely find plenty to enjoy even after visiting Hong Kong Ocean Park. Whether you’re a panda lover or simply interested in Hong Kong, I encourage you to check out the official website.
© Source travel watch