Giant pandas at the Chongqing Zoo in southwest China celebrated the human beings' Mid-Autumn Festival with a gourmet treat as the furry animals eagerly gathered around to savor a special meal of fresh bamboo shoots made in the style of the festive pastry of mooncakes for human beings.
Fresh bamboo shoots from the Jinfo Mountain in Chongqing, a seasonal delicacy known as "square bamboo shoots," have made their way into the festive menu of the zoo's 23 resident giant pandas.
In one delightful scene, four adorable pandas -- Shuangshuang, Chongchong, Xixi and Qingqing -- gathered around a wooden table, each absorbed in peeling and devouring fresh bamboo shoots.
The giant pandas, with some sitting comfortably on small chairs, others lying leisurely on the ground, were busy peeling the bamboo shoots with ease and munching on the crisp and tender flesh.
In another playful moment, a giant panda waddled with excitement toward a bunch of bamboo shoots laid out on a swing. After reaching its prize, the panda flopped down on the ground, enjoying its treat with satisfaction. Soon, another panda approached, initially sitting on the ground to enjoy the bamboo shoots before climbing onto the swing to continue its feast.
Their fluffy faces, along with their playful behaviors, captivated the visitors.
"The giant pandas look so adorable when they are eating the bamboo shoots," said a visitor.
"These bamboo shoots provide a valuable source of energy and nutrition for giant pandas. And the square bamboo shoots are one of their favorite treats," said Yin Yanqiang, head keeper of giant pandas at Chongqing Zoo.
The Jinfo Mountain bamboo shoots are at their freshest during this time of the year, and the giant pandas, living in the mountainous city of Chongqing, are perfectly positioned to enjoy this seasonal gift from nature.
Giant pandas at Chongqing Zoo celebrate festival with gourmet treat
China's domestic tourism and consumption showed strong recovery momentum during the week-long National Day holiday, with several provinces reporting remarkable increases in both visits and revenues, according to official data.
Central China's Henan Province, a cradle of the Chinese civilization and home to abundant heritage sites, received nearly 80 million tourists with a revenue of 56.6 billion yuan (eight billion U.S. dollars).
Compared with the same period last year, the visits received increased by 5.1 percent and the tourism revenue increased by 15.5 percent.
The country's southern economic powerhouse Guangdong Province received nearly 60 million tourists and harvested 53.7 billion yuan (7.6 billion U.S. dollars).
The national capital Beijing received a total of 21.59 million tourists during the Golden Week, 18.35 percent more in comparison with that from the same period one year earlier. The gross tourism income has topped 26.8 billion yuan, also marking a notable growth of 11.67 percent year on year.
The Beijing Central Axis, a newly-inscribed UNESCO world heritage site, has been a hotspot for tourists interested in ancient architectures and culture heritages.
"Every corner of the park is very beautiful, and I feel the general styles and customs of Beijing, which is tremendously delightful," said a tourist.
Fujian Province received a total of 38.2 million visitors, a 10.5 percent increase, with tourism spending up 11.3 percent to 31.5 billion yuan (4.3 billion U.S. dollars).
"We display our most typical pastry and presents with utmost enthusiasm, and our inherited handicrafts to people across the country. I wish everyone a good time in Xiamen during the festival," said Zeng Huashan, inheritor of Xiamen traditional handmade craftsmanship of Gulangyu pies, an intangible cultural heritage.
The catering industry also showed robust growth. Shanghai's dining consumption reached eight billion yuan, posting double-digit growth. In southwest China's Chongqing, the catering industry saw its turnover increase by 3.2 percent year on year.
Data from Meituan, a major online food delivery platform, showed average daily dine-in consumption in the first five days of the holiday increased by 33.4 percent compared to 2023.
"There are so many tourists in this National Day holiday coming to Qinghai to try our hand-held mutton. Diners had to wait in line for hours, just to taste the mutton," said a restaurant owner.
"I waited in line for half an hour, as many say that their steamed bun is very delicious. So I come to give it a try," said a tourist.
Along with booming tourism, the country's extensive trade-in programs covering cars and home appliances have beefed up consumption nationwide.
Analysts say the strong holiday spending reflects a steady recovery in China's economy.
National Day holiday tourism consumption grows
