Hong Kong is embracing the Chinese New Year as the city welcomes its newest residents, giant pandas An An and Ke Ke, who will be taking up residence alongside a set of soon-to-be-unveiled, local-bred giant panda twin cubs.
The arrival of An An and Ke Ke presents a thrilling opportunity — and, more importantly, countless adorable photo ops — for travellers from around the world to partake in an unprecedented travel experience that begins when they set foot in Hong Kong and lasts until their departure.
Here’s where to check in around town to enjoy an immersive panda-themed journey that promises delightful surprises throughout the city.
All aboard: Panda-themed trains to kickstart the journey
Colourful panda displays are set to welcome visitors celebrating the Chinese New Year at the city’s border on train carriages at the Airport Express Line and the High-Speed Rail, as well as when visiting the home of the giant pandas via the South Island Line.
In addition to the colourful and fun on-board decals, the concourses at Hong Kong and Ocean Park MTR stations will be adorned with panda-themed decorations.
Photograph courtesy of The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel.
In the wild: Magical moments with giant pandas around town
This Chinese New Year, visitors to Hong Kong will have plenty of opportunities for panda encounters around the city. For the first time, the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade, which takes place on 29 January, will feature a float dedicated to giant pandas incorporating iconic local Hong Kong elements.
Come witness the festivities while ushering in the best of luck and prosperity on the first day of the Year of the Snake!
Additionally, giant panda-themed naked eye 3D billboards will be dotted around town in high-traffic outdoor locations to celebrate the coming of the Chinese New Year. These can be seen at Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok from 6 January until early February and Causeway Bay from 13 to 26 January, respectively.
While you are out and about, you should check out the eye-catching installations that showcase a panda’s journey through iconic attractions, including on a traditional junk boat at Symphony of Lights and surveying the scene from high above at Victoria Peak.
What’s more, the Festive Lunar New Year Stop of PANDA GO! FEST HONG KONG will take place from 17 January to 6 March at D·PARK, Tsuen Wan
This exhibition will feature more than 800 panda sculptures in their debut Lunar New Year-themed designs, bringing the community extra joy and festive cheer. Additionally, around 200 panda sculptures will be travelling to Central Market from the 17th of February to the 6th of March, allowing visitors in both locations to glimpse these adorable installations.
As the home of six giant pandas, Ocean Park Hong Kong will transform into a panda-tastic wonderland. Visitors can dive into an immersive, park-wide panda land of thematic experiences like “Panda Wonders: An Illuminated Journey”, a fantastical, multi-faceted adventure with interactive installations, 3D projections and even AR pandas for a perfect photo op.
The theme park’s food and beverage outlets will also join the panda party, offering a range of sweet and savoury panda-themed treats. A little hint: Ocean Park is also the only place in Hong Kong where you can have a real-life panda encounter and check-in.
Photograph courtesy of The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel.
Check-in for elevated encounters with pandas
Several Hong Kong hotels are also getting into the spirit of the citywide panda-monium.
Regala Skycity Hotel is celebrating the arrival of Hong Kong’s new pandas with a playful Panda Dim Sum collection and a creamy sesame and coconut Panda Mousse Cake, available at the Jade and Petra.
At The Harbourview, guests can enjoy the adorable Panda Bamboo Bliss Afternoon Tea Set in an atmosphere reminiscent of a serene bamboo forest, the perfect way to join the Hong Kong panda party.
The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel (above) invites guests to spend a full-day holiday getaway with pandas. Step into the bamboo forest to have a sweet dream at the Panda Party Room, where lush forest landscapes are adorned on the walls with bamboo-style circular beds.
Visitors can also enjoy a Thematic Panda Fufu Afternoon Tea and Snack & Concoction Menu at the hotel’s iconic Lighthouse Lounge, an ideal way for panda lovers of all ages to spend an afternoon.
Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel is also diving head-first into the panda action. In the hotel’s classic panda-themed room, Bao Bao Paradise, visitors can also spend a night surrounded by pandas with numerous panda-themed decorations throughout the hotel and enjoy a twinkling panda-inspired immersive light show.
For more information about Hong Kong, please visit www.discoverhongkong.com.
To check into a panda-themed itinerary, start planning on the Discover Hong Kong website: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/what-s-new/panda.html.
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