Two giant pandas, Bao Yuan and De Rui, made their public debut on Thursday at the Water Park Panda Pavilion in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, after adjusting to their new surroundings since their arrival in the city on Feb 5.
Bao Yuan, four and a half years old, and De Rui, five and a half, are both from the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Visitors lined up to see the pair.
"I've been looking forward to seeing them and am quite excited now. It's my first time here today with my friend. They are round and white, so cute," said Xu Siyang, a local resident.
According to Zhang Zhijiang, a panda keeper, the pandas' bamboo was delivered through cold chain from Sichuan.
"There's a dedicated team and a special transport route just for the bamboo, via centralized delivery. And it's still very fresh," said Zhang.
To help the two pandas get better adapted to Xinjiang's climate, the panda pavilion is equipped with temperature and humidity control facilities, intelligent sprinklers, underfloor heating and a fresh air system.
"The facilities can provide a moisture indoor environment. Like in winter, when it's a bit too cold, then we have the underfloor heating system," Zhang said.
The pandas are settling down happily, with expert care from local staff who have been trained at the Chengdu Giant Panda Conservation Center for three months.
Giant pandas make public debut at Xinjiang zoo
The Year of the Horse is inspiring a fusion of Chinese tradition and British creativity across the UK, as one of London's most celebrated Chinese restaurants has brought this blend to life in the kitchen.
Head Chef Zizhong Zhen has put together a Spring Festival tasting menu to celebrate the Year of the Horse. A fusion of Cantonese and British flavors.
Dishes like the octopus salad, complete with a golden horse for prosperity, capture the passion and energy of the zodiac sign.
"We come from China. If we come to the UK and we bring our understanding about cooking to create the food, and let the London customer to enjoy our chefs' dishes," said Zizhong Zhen, head chef of the Hakkasan Mayfair, a Michelin Guide restaurant.
And this is a key part of the dining experience at London's famed Chinese restaurant Hakkasan.
"I don't think there's anything else more important than how food can bridge cultures and bring people together. As long as people remain curious and are not afraid to try and taste new born flavors, it's the best way to connect people," said Yavus Pehlivanlar, CEO of the Hakkasan Group.
Guests from a variety of backgrounds have been invited to a New Year celebration, which includes themed cocktails, red envelopes and a special lion dance.
"I think living in London is such a cultural smorgasbord of every kind of ethnicity, background, culture. So we love to celebrate them all," said a diner.
"It's really my first experience of an event like this. And I love Chinese food. So, Yeah, what a great opportunity. I'm delighted to be here," said another diner.
London hosts some of the world's most vibrant Chinese New Year festivities. Many places in and around the UK's capital have created New Year experiences for customers.
"There has been a huge uplift in social media influences wanting or cooking Chinese food at home or restaurant chefs, whatever, whoever they may be. In that sense, actually a relatively new age wanting to share what we know about our culture with others. That's exploded," said Jeremy Pang, a British-Chinese chef and founder of School of Wok.
The growing global influence of Chinese culture, fueled by tourism and the creative industries, is also inspiring more people to learn more about Chinese New Year.
"One of the things I love about life at the moment is that everyone seems to want to experience everything else. And so Chinese New Year isn't confined to people from China in the same way that New Year's Eve, in the traditional sense, isn't confined to people from our country," said a diner at the Hakkasan Mayfair.
London Chinese restaurant blends tradition with creativity to celebrate Spring Festival
