1600 Panda Parade in Hong Kong: A Giant Army of Pandas Appears at Popular Attractions

By / MOOK Travel Life Network Editorial Team

The 1600 pandas that became a hot topic in Taiwan in March 2014 as part of the “1600 Pandas World Tour—Taipei” are also making an appearance in Hong Kong. The 1600 pandas, led by artist Mr. Paulo Grangeon, are touring and making surprise appearances across the city. Wherever they go, they attract large crowds for photos and viewing, instantly becoming popular attractions. Beyond their cuteness, the environmental and wildlife conservation messages behind them are also drawing attention.

The “1600 Pandas Tour Hong Kong · Creativity x Conservation” exhibition is organized by All Rights Reserved, the same group that brought the giant yellow rubber duck to Hong Kong. This time, in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the 1600 Pandas World Tour has already traveled to nearly 100 locations including France, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Taiwan. After arriving in Hong Kong, it will also make surprise appearances at famous landmarks such as the Big Buddha, Ma Wan, Mai Po, Sha Tin Racecourse, Sai Yeung Choi Street in Mong Kok, the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier, the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, Ocean Park, Victoria Park, and Statue Square. It will even take rides on uniquely Hong Kong modes of transport—the Star Ferry and the tram.

After June 24, the 1600 paper pandas will stay at their final stop, PMQ MetaCentre, for the opening ceremony. The general public can visit the “1600 Panda Tour Hong Kong 'Creativity x Conservation Exhibition'” at PMQ MetaCentre starting June 25 for a fixed exhibition, where exhibition merchandise will also be available. From surprise appearances to the fixed exhibition, this one-month-long event will let Hong Kong experience and spread the adorable charm of the pandas.

Why are there exactly “1600” paper pandas? According to statistics from the World Wide Fund for Nature, there are approximately 1600 pandas still living in the wild. The organizers hope that everyone who shows interest in this exhibition will become more aware of the need to protect endangered animals and cherish nature and wildlife. Activities accompanying the exhibition include the “Hong Kong-Made Paper Panda Workshop,” which opens for registration on the exhibition’s official website starting June 16. Participants can make their own paper pandas, with proceeds donated to WWF Hong Kong. The general public's creations will be publicly displayed for two weeks during the exhibition and can be reclaimed afterward. There is also the “1600 Paper Panda Adoption Program,” where adoption applications open on the official website starting June 25. Each paper panda comes with a poopoopaper birth certificate made from animal waste. All proceeds will also be fully donated to WWF Hong Kong.