The history of giant pandas in Ocean Park Hong Kong It began in 1999, when China donated An An and Jia Jia to celebrate Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Jia Jia became the world's longest-lived panda (38 years, died in 2016), while An An, transferred elsewhere, was studied for his energy-saving habits in subtropical climates. In 2007, Ying Ying and Le Le arrived, and after years of failed attempts (including abortions and artificial inseminations), in 2024 they achieved a historic feat: Ying Ying, at 19, gave birth to twins ( Jia Jia (加加, the female, “Elder Sister”) e From From (得得, the male, “Little Brother”); the male weighs 112g, while the female weighs 122g, after 5 hours of labor, the first multiple birth in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's Ocean Park: Giant Pandas Make Public Debut
The cubs, named Jia Jia and De De in 2025, made their public debut in March, attracting 5,000 visitors a day and record crowds. In October 2024, veteran pandas An An and Ke Ke arrived, bringing the total to six pandas distributed between Giant Panda Adventure and Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures, with 2,000 square meters of habitats simulating Sichuan bamboo forests. This collection makes Ocean Park the only theme park in the world with so many giant pandas, a diplomatic symbol of China's "panda diplomacy."
Habitat, observation and field research
The area Giant Panda Adventure, located in the Amazing Asian Animals area, welcomes visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with elevated walkways that allow for multiple viewing options. Ying Ying and Le Le, along with the panda twins, play in enclosures with artificial waterfalls, tree trunks, and 500 kg of fresh bamboo daily. Adjacent, the red pandas and Chinese giant salamanders (Crocodile newts) illustrate the shared mountain ecosystem, with interactive panels on their diet (99% bamboo), seasonal reproduction, and threats such as deforestation.
The Ocean Park team is conducting pioneering studies. A 2022-2024 project on An An has revealed how pandas adapt their metabolism and movement to Hong Kong's humid heat (30°C), influencing global habitat designs with more shade and waterholes. Veterinary observers monitor their health via IR cameras, with interventions for osteoarthritis and the gut microbiome, crucial for longevity in captivity.
Ocean Park Conservation Foundation: 25 Years of Concrete Investment
The history of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation in Hong Kong begins in 2005. It was founded in 2005 by the Hong Kong Society of Panda Conservation, OPCFHK It has spent over HK$30 million on 90 panda projects, collaborating with reserves in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu on wild reintroduction, genetics, and disease. It also supports related species such as the golden takin and the Hainan gibbon. A new panda park will be built in 2026. Panda Museum From HK$100M+ with immersive VR history since 1999, interactive education, and workshop visits. Ocean Park drives the local "panda economy." The 2024 twins have boosted 40% tickets, merchandise (Jia Jia plush toys), and VIP tours generate millions, reinvested in conservation. Educational programs reach 100,000 students annually, raising awareness about the panda population, which has grown from 1,000 to 1,864 individuals.
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A complete guide to visiting Ocean Park's giant pandas: tickets and opening hours.
TicketsAdults: HK$498-688 (online -20%), children: HK$249. OceanFasTrack (extra HK$200) grants priority access to the Giant Panda Adventure; VIP twins: HK$1500.
Opening hours: Park 10am-7pm, Panda Park 10am-4:30pm (plus 1 hour in summer). Ocean Park Metro Station + 5-minute walk.
Advice: Arrive at 9:45 for the top spots; spend 90 minutes with pandas, then cable car (1.4km) and Whiskers Harbour (dolphins, polar bears).
Avoid weekendsFamilies appreciate the themed play areas. Fully accessible, no pets. A combo with Victoria Peak maximizes your day.
Why Ocean Park is unbeatable for panda lovers
Ocean Park combines world-class attractions (roller coasters, aquariums) with a serious scientific mission, setting it apart from other zoos. Here, you can admire pandas in their natural habitat, with research impacting global conservation. For families or enthusiasts, it's Asia's premier "Hong Kong giant panda" destination, with future plans promising even more.