Beijing Zoo giant pandas get bigger, better pavilion

Beijing Zoo will open a newly expanded giant panda pavilion on Thursday, offering visitors larger viewing areas, smarter facilities and a greener home for five of its giant pandas as the zoo celebrates its 120th anniversary.

Covering 13,000 square meters, the new pavilion extends eastward from the original giant panda enclosure and adopts the layout of a traditional Chinese garden. Winding corridors connect courtyards and rain gardens, creating a more natural environment for both the animals and visitors.

"The project not only provides a more comfortable and environmentally friendly home for our national treasure, the giant panda, but also injects new vitality into our century-old zoo," said Mu Ningning, deputy director of Beijing Zoo.

According to the zoo, the pavilion is China's first animal facility to receive a three-star green building rating. Built on a low-carbon, recycling-oriented design philosophy, it features bamboo-patterned exterior panels made from recycled construction materials. Building Information Modeling, or BIM, digital technology supports intelligent operation and maintenance throughout the facility.

The pavilion is equipped with intelligent ventilation, automated environmental management, health monitoring and security systems to support animal care. A customized misting system operates at scheduled intervals to help keep the pandas cool during hot weather.

Beijing Zoo is currently home to 10 giant pandas, five of which will be housed in the new pavilion. Together with the Asian Games Pavilion, built in 1990, the new facility will serve as the zoo's main public exhibition area. The Olympic Pavilion, built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will function as a backstage facility and will not be open to visitors.

The zoo will also introduce a rotating exhibition schedule, allowing different giant pandas to appear in the new pavilion at different times and giving visitors an opportunity to see different animals on future visits.

The upgraded visitor experience extends beyond the panda habitat. To mark the pavilion's opening, the zoo has introduced a limited-edition commemorative ticket. The surrounding visitor area has also been upgraded with panda-themed cultural products, specialty beverages and the new Panda Cafe.

"I visited Beijing Zoo last winter, but it was difficult to see my favorite pandas because there were so many people," said An Ran, a 7-year-old primary school student. "I hope the new pavilion will give children like me a better chance to see them."