Gong Gong

Basic Profile

Gong Gong (Chinese: 贡贡, studbook number 890) is a male giant panda born on August 18, 2013 at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base of the China Conservation and Research Center.

His mother is Feng Yi (凤仪, also known as Liang Liang/靓靓) — the first panda born in Thailand — and his father is Lu Lu (芦芦). His companion is Shun Shun (舜舜).

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Before Hainan

• 2015-10-18: Loaned to Taiyuan Zoo in Shanxi alongside Shun Shun
• 2018-05-10: Returned to Bifengxia when Taiyuan Zoo closed for renovations

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First Pandas in Hainan

In 2017, Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park began the rigorous process to bring pandas to the tropical island. After multiple inspections by CCRCGP experts and approval from the National Forestry Administration, the park received permission in September 2018.

On November 10, 2018, Gong Gong and Shun Shun flew from Sichuan to Haikou — becoming the first giant pandas to ever live in Hainan Province. They debuted to the public on November 25, 2018.

Tropical Adaptation

The park built a custom “Panda World” covering 1,000+ square meters with:

• Temperature-controlled indoor and outdoor spaces
• Pools, climbing structures, and natural landscaping
• A dedicated bamboo supply chain

The experience of keeping pandas in Hainan’s tropical climate has contributed valuable data to the field.

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Awards and Fame

In January 2020, Gong Gong won the Global Panda Award for “China’s Most Beloved Giant Panda” (Gold).

In 2023, enrichment videos of Gong Gong went viral — particularly one of him “eating barbecue skewers” (花样撸串), where keepers arranged bamboo treats on sticks. The series generated over 500 million views across Chinese social media.

Birthday Celebrations

His birthdays in Hainan have become major events:

• 11th Birthday (2024): Hainan Li-Miao cultural theme
• 12th Birthday (2025):非遗 (intangible cultural heritage) themed celebration
• 7th Anniversary in Hainan (2025): Commemorative event

The park’s visitor numbers grew ~30% annually after the pandas arrived, with international tourist visits increasing 296% in 2019.