By the MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
The "1600 Pandas World Tour—Taipei" farewell flash mob finale was held on the evening of the 23rd at Ningxia Night Market. The 1,600 paper pandas and 200 paper black bears caused a sensation in Taipei in March, drawing over 3 million visitors to Taipei City Hall Plaza and the National Theater and Concert Hall Plaza. The bear duo also made surprise appearances at 14 Taipei landmarks, with their adorable flash mob photos not only featured in TIME magazine in the U.S., but also widely reported by international media such as the BBC in the UK. Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-pin hosted a special "Thousand-Year Banquet" to thank these beloved bear guests for their hard work during the exhibition, and to send off the black-and-white duo as they embark on their rural tour.
1600 paper pandas and 200 paper black bears make a flash mob appearance at Ningxia Night Market. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
The final stop of the pandas' farewell flash mob was chosen to be Ningxia Night Market because it is a must-visit destination that best showcases Taiwanese street food and local culture. To allow the bears to sample a variety of night market treats, a special "Thousand-Year Banquet" was held for the paper pandas and black bears, featuring snacks from 20 vendors with an average history of over 50 years. The hope is that the bear guests will carry the warmth and hospitality of Taipei to other places as they continue their mission to promote animal and wildlife conservation.
After enjoying the banquet, the bears immediately got to work making a flash mob appearance at Ningxia Night Market. Around 500 paper pandas and 50 paper black bears were seen weaving through the night market stalls—some queuing up for snacks, others hopping onto vendor counters—creating an adorable spectacle that drew crowds of onlookers and photographers. The Tourism and Travel Bureau noted that a large mechanical arm camera was deployed to capture the essence and atmosphere of the night market.
The public warmly welcomes the bears strolling through the night market. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
The exhibition organizer, Left Brain Creative Marketing CEO Cheng Shiyu, also officially announced the "Paper Panda Public Adoption Program" and the "Black-and-White Bears Tour Taiwan—Rural Elementary School Outreach Program." The "Paper Panda Public Adoption Program" will allow the public to adopt paper pandas and black bears, while the "Black-and-White Bears Tour Taiwan—Rural Elementary School Outreach Program" is an educational initiative aimed at fulfilling the original spirit of the exhibition. Through artistic and educational efforts, it seeks to raise awareness about endangered animals and support local conservation work in Taiwan.
Cheng Shiyu stated that the "Paper Panda Public Adoption Program" will open for online registration starting today, with a limited run of 1,200 bears. By donating NT$6,000 to support the ecological conservation programs promoted by the Taiwan Environmental Information Association and the Republic of China Ecological Conservation Association, participants can receive one artist-created paper panda or black bear. Sponsors will receive a NT$6,000 donation receipt, which may be used for tax deduction according to applicable tax rates.
The bears enjoy Ningxia Night Market's famous "Thousand-Year Banquet." (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
The "Black-and-White Bears Tour Taiwan—Rural Elementary School Outreach Program" will bring paper pandas and paper Formosan black bears to rural elementary schools, where they will be displayed on school grounds for a day, allowing children to learn about the environment through art and conservation. The organizers have also created special conservation booklets to be distributed during the rural tour, helping more children understand the importance of wildlife protection. Information about the Paper Panda Public Adoption Program can be found on the Facebook page of the "Paper Panda Exhibition, 1600 Pandas World Tour—Taipei."
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